Effect of Excess and Loss of Water on Water Balance

Effect of Excess Water intake on Water Balance in the Body

If two liters of water are taken, the water is distributed rapidly throughout the body.  The kidney responds to the increased water intake after about 15-30 minutes.  The flow of urine rises from the normal value 50 ml per hour to its peak of 1500 ml per hour.  The extra water is excreted by the kidney within three hours.  The excess urine output may be almost equal to the water ingested. In tropical climate, a greater part of the ingested water is lost in the sweat.

Effects of Water Deprivation/Loss on Water Balance

Water is being constantly lost from the human body in the form of urine, sweat, faeces and expired air.  If corresponding amounts of water are not ingested, water depletion occurs in the body leading to change in the body fluids.  A reduction in volume of the extra cellular fluid and intracellular fluid takes place.  The urine output is reduced.  There is a rapid decrease in body weight and a state of dehydration of the cells occurs.  After a few days, a decrease in plasma volume occurs which will reduce cardiac output and lead to circulatory failure.  An adult who has lost 5-10 liters of water from the body will be seriously ill and death will occur when the water loss from the body is about 15 liters.

Body Water Balance, Intake and Outlet/loss of Body Water.?

Body Water Balance, Intake and Outlet/loss of Body Water.

Water is the main constituent of the body, about 60-70% of the total Body Weight consists of Water.  The water content of Soft Tissues ranges from 70-80%, while that of bone about 20 percent approximately.

Body Water is distributed as follows:

• Intracellular water (ICW), which present Inside the cells of tissue
• Extra cellular water (ECW), are Outside the tissue cells

The Extra cellular water (ECW) is further subdivided into:

• Water in blood plasma.
• Interstitial water – water in tissue space.
• Lymph in the lymphatic vessels.

Intake and Outlet/loss of Water.

Water is taken in food and also as drinking water.  In addition, water is formed in the tissues by the oxidation of hydrogen present in proteins, carbohydrates and fats. 

Water intake varies widely depending on the climate; as drinking water about 1500-5000 ml and in food 1000-2000 ml.

Water is lost continuously from the body in the following ways: 

• Through kidney as Urine.
• Through insensible perspiration and as sweat.
• Through the lungs in the expired air.
• Through the large intestines in the faeces.
• In lactating women in the milk.

Body Water Loss varies depending on the climate: in urine, about 100-1500 ml, through skin 800-5200 ml, through lungs 400 ml and in faeces 100-200 ml.  In a normal individual, the water intake is approximately equal to water lost from the body and the water content of the body is maintained fairly constant.

Effect of Excess and Loss of Water on Water Balance?