Why is dehydration linked to many conditions?

Because dehydration occurs on several levels including cellular. When you are dehydrated, the very cells that populate every organ & system of your body, are dehydrated. So, every system & organ can be affected by cells that function less effectively potentially leading to all kinds of disorders.

How widespread is the problem of dehydration?

Research suggests that 70 - 80% of us walk around in a state of mild to moderate dehydration. This problem seems to worsen as we age. It is also widening due to the wide availability of drinks that do not hydrate as well as water & foods that contain more chemicals, sugar & contaminants than in previous centuries.

Effects of dehydration haven't been adequately studied except for its effect on reduced work ability & reduced performance during exercise sessions.

This is one area where we can provide exact, scientific facts.

There have been many experiments conducted on how dehydration effects our ability (capacity) to do work.

Here is what the research shows: For every 1% of water weight that we lose, our capacity to do work or exercise goes down 10%. So, if we lose 3% of our water weight, our capacity goes down by about a third.

Example: A person weighs 160 pounds and he is 75% water. So he has, or is, 120 pounds water. If he loses just 1.2 pounds of water his ability in whatever physical activity he's engaging in, gets 10% worse.

The effect continues at the same rate. So 2% water loss = 20% loss of capacity and so on.

This finding shows us how just a little water loss or dehydration, easily done in a moderate exercise session, leads to a great loss in ability to work or perform.

So, is it reasonable to assume that even a little dehydration greatly effects how well all of our organs and systems and cells perform their duties 24/7?

While we can't be perfectly hydrated, we should be aware of the effects of dehydration & the many causes of dehydration.

Following is our super list of the causes of dehydration. Keep them in mind the next time you are feeling badly for no apparent reason.

1)Contamination is one of the causes of dehydration because our bodies have to eliminate toxins normally thru urine. More toxins = more elimination = more dehydration.

2)Breathing uses up lots of water which is why we awaken dehydrated. Don't believe that that breathing is one of the major causes of dehydration? Just breath onto a mirror & see how much moisture is lost with every breath.

3)Digestion also uses up a lot of water.

4)Sweating is just another form of elimination. An intense physical workout in warm weather, can use up more water than you can possibly absorb.

5)Fever is another of the dehydration causes especially affecting the young & elderly.

6)Aging is one of the unavoidable causes of dehydration or, it is likely that dehydration causes aging. They certainly go together.

7)Diarrhea primarily effects the young, especially children in undeveloped countries & is a major cause of dehydration.

8)Most medications dehydrate to some extent or more.

9)Obesity: It takes more water for a heavier person to start & complete basic physical processes.

10)Infections, like contaminants, force the body to eliminate through urination or perspiration.

11)Diet (certain ones): Ones high in fast food, processed, snacks, overly preserved, containing little water, alcohol, caffeine, sugar is a major dehydration cause.

12)Stress puts your body in overdrive which burns up vital resources including water.

13)Living in high altitude is a well known environmental dehydration source.

14)Too much salt, often found in fast foods & snacks draws water out of our bodies. However, some salt, good, natural sea salt, is needed to keep cells healthfully plumped with water.

15)Growing during the 2 major growth spurts of early infancy & adolescence uses up our resources including water.

16)Vomiting can quickly dehydrate, especially children.

17)Pregnancy is a stage that is resource intensive. Add to this the role of the mother in providing nourishment for a growing fetus & the stage is set for constant dehydration.

18)Lack of salt may strike you as one of the unlikeliest causes of dehydration but the fact is that without salt and other vital elements, the body cannot store needed water.

19)Decreased thirst sensation occurs as we age resulting in less water being consumed.

20)Chronic illness also taxes the body so much that dehydration is the inevitable result.

21)Sun exposure also burns up water during exposure & for several hours afterward.

22)Burns, as in burn victims, force the body to use a lot of water to try & heal.

23)Elimination of too much water before it is properly used by the body is one of the causes of dehydration, especially during intense workouts but also when a person who is chronically dehydrated increases water intake too suddenly. The body needs to adjust to the extra water to properly use it.

24)Cells not absorbing enough water for various reasons. Basically, we cannot be fully hydrated unless our very cells are hydrated. Certain conditions, such as high cholesterol, result in firmer cell walls, less permeable walls, which makes it more difficult for cells to absorb water.

25)Not drinking enough water.