Dehydration can be defined as “the body excessive loss of water”. It can be dangerous for life.

The human body constantly needs water. It loses water through the lungs when breathes. It loses water with the daily urination, sweat and stool.

The human body requires at least one liter of water daily. The quantity depends on the activity, age, environment and other factors. The most active people need two or even three liters every day. Fluid consumption is necessary for proper metabolism in the body.

The color of urine is a good indicator of the body’s need in water satisfaction. The body consuming enough water produces almost colorless urine if not taking into account coloring components of the food. In dehydrated body the urine is bright yellow. In the state of severe dehydration the human body produces orange urine.

Water takes part in all processes in the body: synthesis and degradation of all substances, producing and utilizing energy, functioning of cells, tissues and organs including neural and humoral regulation of the body’s activity. Water is the medium for all chemical reactions due to the unique properties of its dipole molecule. It is not just liquid. No cell, no organ can work properly without water enough.

Lack of water makes the body to supply more important organs (the brain for example) for the account of other organs. The brain contains 85% of the water, even up to 92% according to some sources, and loss of even 1% of the water leads to irreversible consequences. So it is vitally important for the body to keep the brain hydrated on account of skin and muscles. Therefore it is not surprise that dehydrated skin is in poor condition and muscles do not work as they could. Dehydration initially reduces cellular fluid (66%), followed by extracellular (26%), and then the water is extracted from the bloodstream (8%).

If the body suffers from dehydration regularly it tries to store up water resulting in edema. Extra water in the body may cause different disorders. It needs extra body resources to manage it and increases the body weight.