Effects of water intake in the body

    You've probably often heard the guideline that you should drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water each day. Everyone knows that water is necessary for life and good health, but the actual effects of water on the human body may not be so clear. In truth, water is integral to all biological processes, says MayoClinic.com, and has multiple effects on the body.

LUBRICATING EFFECTS

    One of water's most important effects on the human body is the way it lubricates your tissues and organs. According to nutrition specialist Linda S. Boeckner of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, your eyes, brain and spinal column are protected by the lubricating effects of water. Water is also a key component of your saliva and digestive juices, whose lubricating effects aid in digestion. The water in your system also helps lubricate your joints. Without proper water intake, these organs and body processes would not function as well as they should.

TEMPERATURE REGULATION

    Water intake plays an immediate and crucial role in temperature regulation, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. When you're drinking adequate water, your body regulates its temperature through perspiration. In the absence of sufficient water intake to replace the fluids we all lose via sweat, respiration, tears and waste products, your body can become unable to perspire enough to regulate your internal temperature. This state of dehydration can lead, most severely, to heat stroke -- a life-threatening situation that can occur if your internal temperature rises uncontrollably.

TRANSPORTATION EFFECTS

    Another of water's important jobs in the body is to help transport nutrients and chemicals around and through your organs, tissues and systems, says the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. Without water, nutrients would have no way to be delivered to your body organs. In addition, water helps move waste through your digestive system and out of your body; this is why increased water intake is often prescribed to alleviate constipation.

HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED?

    When you consider how many tasks water performs inside your body, it's easy to see why water intake is so important. But if you're confused by competing theories and guidelines for how much water you really need, you're not alone. However, most doctors recommend you consume about 8 or 9 cups of water per day, says MayoClinc.com. If you're pregnant, nursing, ill or exercising in high heat, you will likely need more. Consult your doctor if you are unsure how much water your body needs to remain healthy.

WATER INTOXICATION AND HYPONATREMIA

    Water intoxication and hyponatremia go hand-in-hand; in fact, the terms are sometimes used synonymously. Water intoxication occurs when the body has taken in a large amount of water in a short time, without excreting it. The heart and kidneys must work extra hard to try to manage the excess water in circulation, and lung tissues may fill with water. Water intoxication soon results in an imbalance between the amount of fluid and the amount of sodium in the bloodstream, a situation known as hyponatremia. An individual is considered to have hyponatremia when serum sodium levels drop lower than 135 milliEquivalents (mEq) per liter of blood; by comparison, a normal range is 136 to 142 mEq.

SYMPTOMS

    Symptoms of the early stages of water intoxication include nausea, vomiting, disorientation and confusion. As sodium levels drop and the condition progresses, the individual may have muscle cramps, become tired and experience seizures. He may have trouble breathing, due to the fluid in his lungs. To compensate for the extra fluid, the blood cells will try to absorb some of the water, causing them to swell, sometimes to the point of bursting. When this swelling occurs in the brain, the result can be coma and death.

TREATMENT

    Treatment involves stopping the person from ingesting any more water, and hospitalization so that sodium can be given through an IV drip. The outcome depends on how quickly the person is able to seek medical care.

GENERAL HYDRATION GUIDELINES

    Water intoxication is not common and cannot result from drinking an appropriate amount of water to replenish your body’s lost fluids. Water intoxication is most likely in infants who are given too much water to drink, and in marathon runners who push their physical limits and may consume too much water. It is important to consult your doctor to find out how much water you should be drinking, based on such individual factors as your age and general health. Healthy adults who are drinking enough water, are rarely thirsty and produce urine that is clear or light-colored rather than dark yellow are probably getting the right amount of hydration.