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The human body comprises 55 – 60% water, depending on gender. Physicians say because women usually have more body fat, they have 5% less water than the opposite gender. The difference does not impact the primary function of water in the body. However, it is recommended to adopt the habit of drinking water regularly. That said, certain health conditions may predispose you to dehydration. Below are some of them and what you can do to stop the ripple effects.
1. Uncontrolled diabetes
Medical research has shown that people with diabetes have excess glucose in their blood. The problem is that the body goes into overdrive to filter and reduce the disproportionate high blood sugar levels. Doing this puts significant pressure on your filtration organs – the kidneys. After a while, the kidneys cannot keep up with the enormous work that needs to be done. This, therefore, results in a person feeling the urge to pass urine more frequently than the average person. The frequency of urinating, coupled with the loss of electrolytes and other fluids excreted from the body, increases the risk of dehydration. The human body reacts to this by triggering centers in the brain to signal thirst.
This is why people with this health condition usually feel more thirsty than the average person. According to reports published by abbot.com, three out of five persons living with diabetes are dehydrated. Unfortunately, most are unaware of their dehydration levels until they finally seek medical attention. To counteract the repercussions, it is recommended to regularly hydrate the body to prevent damage to internal organs. In many cases, the frequency of extreme thirst and dehydration can be better managed when blood sugar is controlled and within normal levels.
2. Gastrointestinal disorders
This is a broad name used to describe a wide variety of conditions that occur in the stomach and intestinal tract. Irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, food poisoning, and several others are types of gastrointestinal disorders. Research has shown that some people are more susceptible to GI tract disorders, which could explain their prevalence in certain age groups. For example, in the elderly, an undiagnosed case of gastrointestinal disorder will often present with prolonged diarrhea.
The explanation that comes closest to answering this is the slowdown of gut activity in the elderly. The aging process may sometimes cause an alteration in digestive tract functions. Moreover, with an increasingly weakened immune system, the elderly cannot fight off common stomach infections. It is important to be cautious when treating diarrhea in the elderly. Losing body fluids for weeks puts them at an increased risk of severe electrolyte imbalance if immediate medical care is not received.
3. Hormonal disorders
This has more to do with females than males. According to science, the alternating progesterone levels and estrogen significantly influence a woman’s risk of dehydration. Thyroid disorders and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are two common hormonal disorders that plague many women. The unknown fact is that these disorders cause decreased intracellular water in the female body. Therefore, females diagnosed with these conditions must focus on regularly hydrating their bodies.
