What happens if you die of thirst

The water that is available is so polluted that those who have access to it are constantly at risk of contracting illnesses such as cholera, typhoid and polio, to name a few. The United Nations also estimates that globally , die as a result of food contamination. Almost one in ten people fall ill every year from eating contaminated food.

The long answer is that every human body is comprised of about 65 per cent water, which is needed for a number of human bodily processes and reactions, including blood circulation, regulation of body temperature, waste removal and detoxification. We start to feel thirsty when our body water percentage drops about two per cent lower.

The thirst centre of the brain is located in the hypothalamus. Each day we lose two to three litres of water through sweat, urine and bowel movements.

Even breathing uses water from our body. It is essential to maintain a balanced water level, by drinking enough throughout the day. How much water you need to drink a day, depends on factors such as your geographic location, your age, your body fat and your gender. Men roughly need between 2. When your body is low on water, your brain sends signals to your kidneys to send more water to your blood, rather than flushing it out in the urine. When your blood holds on to the water, it causes your urine to turn a dark yellow with a strong odour.

A dehydrated brain actually works much harder to achieve simple tasks, than when you are well hydrated. Water is meant to lubricate the areas between the bones, for easy movement and comfortable sleeping.

The body 's urine production will slow, Health24 says, and blood pressure will steadily fall as the blood begins to thicken. Vital salts will also be lost, and all these processes negatively affect the kidneys, which will eventually fail and halt urine production entirely.

Precision Hydration adds that the thickening of blood leads the body to only direct it to organs that are immediately necessary for survival, which increases the damage to the liver, kidneys, and other internal organs.

With the former two no longer able to perform their role of filtering away toxins, this can leave the body vulnerable to death from multiple organ failures. Without water, the body cannot do this efficiently, causing toxins to build up. A toxic buildup harms the kidneys, which process the removal of the toxins from the body. If the kidneys fail, the toxins build up even further, causing widespread organ failure and death. Though drinking pure water is the main way a person takes in fluids, other liquids, such as herbal teas, fruit juices, and broth, also aid hydration.

Examples include fruits, berries, and greens. However, not all foods will help hydrate the body. Very dry, salty foods, such as breaded products, salty chips, or other dry, packaged snacks, may make dehydration worse. Drinks containing alcohol or caffeine may dehydrate the body faster, as they cause excessive urination. The symptoms of dehydration can appear quickly. If the body starts to lose water, it may send signals to the brain to trigger a response that the person will notice.

Most people are familiar with minor symptoms of dehydration, such as having a very dry mouth or feeling very thirsty. A review posted to the journal Nutrients notes that thirst is the first sign that a person does not have enough water in their body. For most people, drinking when they feel thirsty will provide them with more than enough water to function and thrive. Listening to these signals and getting water into the body is crucial.

If a person ignores these signs or cannot get water, their body will respond. The brain will send signals to the body to conserve water and urinate less. This will also slow the function of the kidneys. Effects: When thirst kicks in, your body clings to all remaining moisture.

Your kidneys send less water to your bladder, darkening your urine. As you sweat less, your body temperature rises. Your blood becomes thicker and sluggish. To maintain oxygen levels, your heart rate increases. Water Lost: Four percent of body weight. This is roughly equivalent to riding a bike for three hours in extreme heat without rehydrating, or going without water for two days.