Cells and water

We are nearly all water. Our cells are largely water based, and many of the chemical processes that help us live and survive rely on water to function. Thus the body’s regulation of fluids is an extremely important function.

We take in fluids in the form of drinks, but we tend to forget that many foods also contain water – most vegetables and fruits have a high water content, a small amount of water comes in via the air we breathe. 

We lose water by breathing, sweating, crying, and urination [weeing]. 

The majority of fluid output occurs via the urine, “approximately 1500 ml/day (approx 1.59 qt/day) in the normal adult resting state”.  In addition, we also lose water through faeces and women lose small amounts via ‘vaginal secretions’. 

I suppose men also lose a small amount via semenal secretions too! 

When a person is ill, fluid may also be lost through vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhage. An individual is at an increased risk of dehydration in these instances, as the kidneys will find it more difficult to match fluid loss by reducing urine output (the kidneys must produce at least some urine in order to excrete metabolic waste.)