MANILA, Philippines – Lack of water can lead to dehydration, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) warns.
Dehydration, according to World Health Organization (WHO) is defined as the condition that results from excessive loss of body water.
The main causes of water losses from the body are through urine and sweat. These losses vary widely depending on fluid consumption, diet, physical activity and temperature. The body also loses water through the lungs, breathing and through stools.
According to Imelda Angeles of FNRI-DOST, mild to moderate dehydration is characterized by thirst, restless or irritable behavior, normal to slightly sunken eyes and a sunken fontanelle in infants.
She said the signs of severe dehydration include lethargy or unconsciousness, poor drinking or inability to drink, lack of urine output, cool moist extremities, low or undetectable blood pressure, and a rapid and feeble pulse.
Getting enough water everyday is important for one’s health. Most of the fluid needs are met through the water and beverages we drink, she added.
Furthermore, we can also get some fluids through the foods that we eat, like water-rich fruits and vegetables which include watermelon, melon, oranges, singkamas, tomatoes, radish, cucumber and seaweeds, said.
“Water serves a number of essential functions to keep us all going. So, drink up to prevent dehydration,” Angeles advises.
FNRI: Drink water to avoid dehydration
