How long can a person live without water?

Weather of Arabia - Since the first dawn and the appearance of man on the face of the earth, water has been considered an essential part of his life. It is not just a daily substance that we need for drinking and bathing, but rather it is the vital element that can determine the limits of human survival and the survival of civilizations.

The time to survive without water depends on many factors, such as the individual’s general health, environmental conditions, and personal matters. In this article, we will study the extent to which a person can survive without water, and how the lack of water affects the body and life in general.

Effects of water shortage on humans

Thousands of people live in areas suffering from wars and natural disasters, which puts them in difficult conditions that make it difficult to access clean and safe drinking water. As a result, water shortages become a critical issue that greatly affects their health.

Humans depend heavily on water to survive and perform daily body functions, and a lack of water in the body can appear quickly, causing many harmful effects, including feelings of extreme thirst, dehydration, fatigue and stress. An increase in body temperature as a result of water loss leads to an increase in heart rate and muscle weakness, and eventually failure of the body’s organs may occur.

How long can a person live without water?

It is difficult to accurately determine the length of time that a person can live without water. It depends on the individual circumstances, the person’s general health, the amount of water he had previously consumed, and the circumstances surrounding him. In general, a person can survive without water for a short period.

The body needs large amounts of water to ensure the effective performance of its basic functions, including balancing the internal temperature and maintaining cells in a healthy state. Although it is generally believed that a person can live without water for up to approximately 3 days , this matter may vary. Largely based on each person's individual needs and how they consume water.

The amount of water an individual needs may be affected by a number of factors, such as:

• the age
• Activity level
• Public Health
• Physical characteristics such as height, weight, and gender.

Furthermore, diet can play a large role in determining water needs, as a person who eats water-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and juices may have a lower need to drink compared to a person who relies mainly on dry foods such as cereals and bread.

In addition, environmental conditions also play an important role in a person's water needs. For example, in hot climates, water needs are greater due to excess water loss through sweating, and individuals with health problems such as diarrhea or vomiting may require additional amounts of water. Water to compensate for the loss resulting from these problems.

The effect of water deficiency on the body

Water is essential for humans, as the body needs it for most vital processes, including:

• Regulating body temperature through sweating and breathing.
• Contributing to digestive processes through the secretion of saliva.
• Moisturizing the mucous membranes.
• Contributing to achieving acidity balance in the body.
• Providing lubrication to joints and spinal cords.
• Helping the brain produce and use essential hormones.
• Help move toxins out of cells.
• Eliminate waste through urine and breathing.
• Transporting oxygen to all parts of the body.

Without adequate amounts of water, the body cannot function properly, which can lead to serious health problems. The body uses water to produce sweat, which helps cool the body through evaporation. Without water, the body is unable to produce sweat, which leads to an increase in body temperature and an increase in fluid pressure in the body, including blood, and this can lead to a deficiency. A severe increase in blood volume, and may result in a sharp drop in blood pressure, which increases the risk of loss of consciousness or death. In this context, the mouth becomes dry and the digestive system slows down.

The effect of dehydration on the kidneys and its symptoms

Water purifies the body of toxins and waste through urine and breathing processes when there is a shortage of water, and it is difficult for the body to perform this function efficiently, which leads to the accumulation of toxins.

The accumulation of these harmful substances can cause damage to the kidneys, as the kidneys work to process and remove these toxins from the body, and in the event of kidney failure, the effect of these toxins accumulates even more, resulting in a complete failure of the functions of the body’s organs, and can lead to a critical condition. And death.

Also, symptoms of dehydration appear quickly when the body begins to lose water. As the body sends signals to the brain to stimulate when feeling dehydrated, the person usually begins to feel thirsty, and feeling extremely dehydrated and dry mouth are the first signs of a lack of water in the body, and these symptoms are often known to most people.

The repercussions of ignoring dehydration and its effect on kidney function

When a person ignores these signs, or cannot access water, their body begins to react differently, and the brain will begin sending signals to the body to conserve water, reduce its filtration, and urinate less, and this will also slow down kidney function.

In addition, dehydration can cause other noticeable changes in the body, such as sluggishness and lack of energy, headaches, dizziness and confusion, and problems such as heat stroke, heat cramps, and joint stiffness. Dehydration can also cause the body temperature to be high or poorly regulated. Brain swelling, severe changes in blood pressure, and even seizures. In severe cases, dehydration can reach the level of shock and loss of consciousness.

It is worth realizing the importance of water as a vital element for human survival, and although it is difficult to determine the exact length of time that a person can live without water due to the many factors that affect this matter, we can conclude that dehydration is a serious matter. It may lead to difficult health problems. Therefore, everyone should be prepared to maintain the water balance in their bodies and look for ways to ensure access to clean and safe water, as this is vital to maintaining their health and safety.

Also know:

Dehydration, methods of treating it, and how to prevent it

How Gaza's war smoke affects climate and health

Sources:

aljazeera