Dehydration is the
loss of
body water. All metabolisms require
water to survive, so
animals that exist in arid regions have body mechanisms that protect against water loss and make maximum use of water. The egg stage of the life cycle is dehydration-resistant in some animals. Various animals can also enter a dormant condition during dry periods. The water bear can
survive in this way for years.
Dehydration in humans results from lack of food and drink and from sweating, urination, and vomiting and diarrhea. The first symptom of dehydration is thirst. Water present in the blood, lymph, and interstitial fluid is then lost. This loss affects the proper functioning of the heart, central nervous system, and organs containing smooth muscle. Finally, intercellular water is lost, which upsets vital chemical processes in the cells. If water is not restored to the body, death will usually occur within a few days.
More abstracts about the DEHYDRATION