Paper Example on Public Health: The Problem of Dehydration

I. Attention

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(Attention Getter): Most people do not pay attention to how much water they drink throughout the day, neither do they appreciate the importance of taking plenty water to their health and their body functions.

(Pesos element): I have a cousin who also didnt pay attention to how much water he drinks. He thought one glass of water was all he needed. He went to the beach after that one glass of water for three hours. It was ninety degrees. He ended up in the hospital because he passed out from dehydration. This happened because, through osmosis, water was lost from his body to the ocean, and now that he has a low quantity of water in their system, they lost most of it hence suffering from acute dehydration (World Health Organization 2).

(Credibility statement): There are various diseases associated with dehydration which comes as a result of inadequate consumption of water.

(Argument): One can survive for several weeks without food, but without water, they can barely take five days (Shulman).

(Preview): Hazards from dehydration are common, and the appreciation of the fact that taking water is vital to human health is the only way to avoid such unfortunate scenarios. That is why I am taking this opportunity to persuade and make you understand the importance of taking at least 8 glasses of water per day.

CI: Drinking 8 glasses of water per day will maintain your normal body functions, prevent diseases associated with dehydration, and help in the weight-losing endeavor.

(Transition: So why do we need to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day?)

Body:

II. Need

We disregard the importance of water for our body.

We need water fluid to maintain normal body functions. Water serves as a reaction medium for metabolic activities. The body is involved in the transport of nutrients to the required destination and also the removal of waste products from the body, absorption of nutrients and maintenance of constant body temperature (Shulman). To ensure this is effective water is essential. It is evident that people with adequate intake of water live healthily.

Dehydration causes faulty digestion, fatigue, inability to lose weight, achy joints, and dry skin. Not only does dehydration result to the above but it is also a major cause of unconsciousness in some patients. Fatigue in dehydrated patients come as a result of orthostatic hypotension. Misdiagnosis often results in patents with incoherent speeches and those with weakness in their muscle extremities and proper analysis of the causative factors is compulsory. Other common signs and symptoms of dehydration are tachycardia and hypotonia usually of the ocular globes ().

Severe loss of fluids caused death. Loss of fluids is usually through the skin, and rupture of the circulatory system. Cases of fluid losses are common in diarrhea, severe burns, and hemorrhage. They are the significant causes of electrolyte disturbances. The balance between the interstitial fluid and the extracellular components are affected. Many times we have visited hospitals and found bottles of water infused to the sick. This is a restorative procedure in ensuring electrolytes are brought to the normal. Diarrhea is a killer of the children. Children lose large quantities of water and eventually death results. Water is a carrier of electrolytes and is responsible for the normal physiology of the body.

II. Most body functions are dependent on water, and without adequate water, these functions are affected.

Water is necessary for metabolic processes which release waste materials from the body cells. Accumulation of such toxic materials is harmful to our health (Shulman). Toxics from the body is not eliminated in their immediate state. The body finds mechanisms to reduce toxicity, and thus the best medium is usually water. Carbon dioxide is a gas expelled from the lungs. It is one of the toxic gasses if left to accumulate to large quantities. It is eliminated through the lungs and at times coupled with water vapor. A classic example of how water helps in removal of toxic substances is through the kidneys. Ammonia is a harmful substance and accumulation in the body results in fatal effects to the brain. Its elimination therefore necessary, and it is later deamination to form urea which is less toxic. This is later mixed with water to from urine which is less toxic and released from the body.

Water aids in digestion. Inadequate water in the body leads to poor digestion hence malnutrition. Intake of water is known to reduce constipation. This is possible as water flushes the contents of the intestine and eliminates waste. Adequate intake of water has helped in ensuring accessibility of nutrients to the body. Well-formed bowels is a consequence of water intake possible through solubilizing of fiber.

Prevents dehydration which may lead to kidney problems. Kidney failure and malfunction are caused by the accumulation of toxic substances. All toxics go through the kidney making it more prone. Drinking adequate amounts of water dissolves the toxic substances such as urea. They are eventually eliminated in forms that are less toxic.

III. Plenty of water is paramount in weight-losing endeavor (Willett)

Water can help in suppressing appetite so that one does not eat a lot. Obesity is a consequence of the accumulation of fat. The society faces risks of diseases due to the increasing gains of weight. The immediate remedy is water. Intake of water before a meal means small space is left in the stomach. Less food will have to be ingested to cover for space. Water also speeds up digestion-aiding weight checking. Studies show that obese individual on a diet and advised taking plenty of water realized the loss of weight unlike the obese who rarely took water.

Water also helps in the burning of fats in our bodies hence we do not become fat. Water decrease the fat stored in our bodies. For fat to be burned work must be done. Therefore intakes of water expose the kidneys to tasks while failure to have water means the kidney delegates most of the work to the liver. Inadequate water leaves the liver with double activities. Thereby reducing its capability in burning fat and thus increased fat storage. Water makes kidneys effective, and it actively excretes waste from the body.

By losing weight, we become healthier and prevent diseases associated with overweight. Intake of water helps clear wastes from the body. Sweating, urination, and expiration are ways we excrete waste products. Obesity is a crisis affecting us today, and with adequate consumption of water, this will be forgotten. Hypotension and tachycardia are characteristics of dehydration. When prolonged one gets into a state of hypotension which necessitates medication to constantly maintain their blood pressure.

(Transition: Even though changing personal routines can be difficult, there are ways that one can use to ensure that they drink adequate water per day)

III. Satisfaction:

Many people tend to replace water with caffeinated or sugary drinks.

This is very harmful to your health. Migraines and headaches are caused by large intakes of energy drinks. Insomnia which is also caused by intakes of caffeinated drinks is unhealthy. Research has also shown that cases of cardiac arrests among teens are associated with energy drinks. Have water as a replacement instead.

It increases dehydration and may cause liver or kidney related diseases. Caffeinated drinks give a false perception that thirst is quenched. However, their composition alters the body electrolytes. This in the long run cause dehydration and malfunctioning of the kidneys. Accumulation of Ammonia in the liver can be fatal and cause liver damage. A significant percentage of health complains today are linked to chronic dehydration (Shulman).

When one has to drink these beverages, they must take a lot of water. Why would you have beverages when you think you are maintaining fluids yet you are not? Their compositions are fatal to our systems, and therefore water will have to be ingested for the elimination of their toxins. Dissolving of the composition elements is also facilitated by water.

II. You can maintain the eight cups of water by following some simple tips.

Get in the habit of having a glass of water wherever you go or a water bottle and keep that for memory that you should drink it. Once you drink it, get another one and continue the cycle.

Record when you drink water.

Have water as a substitute for other beverages when you eat.

(Transition: These tips may prove to be hectic, but when one adheres to it, they will eventually observe positive results)

III. Visualization:

I. If you follow these tips, you will help yourself stay healthy and hydrated.

People that drink more water tend to be more focused and energized. Athletes and sportsmen, for example, have lived healthy due to exercise and always taking water.

You will prevent the development of symptoms of dehydration. Tachycardia and hypotension are great signals of loss of water in our bodies. Visual and speech disturbances will be forgotten cases for you.

(Transition: But do not just think about it, proceed and do it)

Conclusion:

IV. Action:

Whenever you are admitted to a hospital, the first thing they do is to add you more water. You would rather be self-conscious in ensuring your electrolyte balance is perfectly than wait for an infusion.

You can prevent this by taking plenty of water.

This, however, is not an easy routine changing endeavor but requires strict adherence to the guidelines you have stipulated.

I encourage and advise you to go out there and do whatever you should do just to drink water. This translates to a healthy life.

Drink water daily!

Works Cited

Developed by, RelayHealth. "Dehydration." CRS - Adult Health Advisor (2013): 1. Consumer Health Complete - EBSCOhost. Web. 1 Dec. 2016.

Shulman, Joey. "Youre NOT SICK, Youre THIRSTY Drink Up!." Alive: Canada's Natural Health & Wellness Magazine 305 (2008): 74-75. Consumer Health Complete - EBSCOhost. Web. 1 Dec. 2016.

World Health Organization. "International standards for drinking-water." (1958).

Willett, Walter. Eat, drink, and be healthy: the Harvard Medical School guide to healthy eating. Simon and Schuster, 2011.