Water Intracellular Water (Present inside the cell) Extracellular Water (Present outside the cell) Intravascular (present as plasma of blood) Extravascular (Present outside the blood vessels) (i) Interstitial fluid (between the cells) (ii) Lymph (iii) Water present in brain, aqueous humor of the eye, pericardium, pleural cavities. Fig . : Distribution of water in the body - - Vitamins, Minerals and Water . .
Requirements Requirement of water varies with climate, dietary constituents, activities and surface area of the body. As a rule a person should take enough water to excrete about – ml of urine per day. In tropics because of greater water loss through perspiration, increased water intake is required to maintain urine volume. Normal intake of water ranges between – glasses per day.
Water is lost through feces, urine, lungs (expiration) skin (invisible perspiration and visible perspiration) amounting to about - liters per day. During infections and fever, the liquid intake should be increased as losses are higher. A moderate amount of water taken with or preceding a meal aids in digestion. .
. Dehydration Dehydration results in extreme deficiency of water and fluids. Symptoms of dehydration are fatigue, headache, sullenness and in extreme cases, collapse. The steps in the progression of dehydration are as follows.
. Thirst . Decreasing blood volume, impaired physical performance. .
Increased effort for physical work, nausea. . Failure to regulate excess temperature. .
Muscle spasms. . Failing renal function, less or no urine formed. Excessive loss of water takes place due to vomiting, diarrohea, haemorrhage, excessive perspiration, exudating, burns, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, fever and hot weather.
It can be fatal and can be easily avoided by proper fluid intake or oral rehydration therapy. . . Functions of Water Major functions of water : ) Carrier of nutrients: Every nutrient in soluble form in water is carried from intestines to tissues through blood.
) Constituent of body fluids: Water is the major constituent of all body fluids such as blood, urine, sweat, lymph. ) Regulation of body temperature: Water helps to regulate and control body temperature. Heat is