Water

Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences

BSC laboratory medicine
Second Year
1444 – 1445 H
 Overview

• Water in human body

• Water balance
• Function of Water
• Requirements of water
• Factors increase fluid needs
• Water intoxication
• Water Deficiency
• Nutritional Screening and Assessment
 Water in human body

• Water is one of the most essential components

of the human body.

• Water composes 75% of all muscle tissues and

about 10% of fatty tissues.

• It is impossible to sustain life for more than a

week without it.
 Water in human body

• In man body, 55 - 65% of the total body weight is water, results from their
greater muscle mass.

• In woman body, 45 - 55% of the total body weight is water, results from
their greater fat mass.

• Total body water is divided into two categories, depending on its

placement in the body.
 Water in human body

1- Total water outside the cells:

• It is called extracellular fluid, which makes about 20% of total body water.

• 1⁄4 of the extracellular fluid represents 5% of total body weight contained in

blood plasma.

• The remaining 3/4 represents 15% of total body weight.

• It is composed of water surrounding cells, water in dense tissues such as bone

and water in various tissues secretion.
 Water in human body

2- Total water inside the cells:

It is called intracellular fluid, which makes about 45 - 65% of total body water.
 Water balance

• Overall water balance in the body is controlled by fluids

intake and output.
I- Water intake:

• Water enters the body in three ways as followed:

1- Drinking water
2- Water in food

3- Water produced in cellular oxidation

 Water balance

II. Water output:

• Water leaves the body through the kidneys, skin, lungs and feces.

• The loss of water varies according to climate and physical activity.

Note: For healthy function of all internal organs, water must be consumed to
replace the amount lost each day during basic activities.
 Water Functions

1- Water acts as a solvent for all the body's

chemical process such as nutrients.
2- Water acts as a transport for nutrients,
secretion and other materials to meet the needs
of all body cells.
3- Participates in chemical reactions.
4- Cleans the tissues and blood from wastes.
 Water Functions

5- Provides lubrication and shock protection for moving parts of the body
(fluid within joints).

6- Maintain body temperature (As body temperature increased, sweat

evaporates to cool the body).

7- Protects vital organs.

8- Aids the digestive system.
 Requirements of Water

• In 2004 the Food and Nutrition Board recommend to consume:

Women: 2.7 L /day.
Men: 3.7 L / day.

Infants: 1.5 L /day.

Through various beverages (80%) or in food (20%).
 Factors increase fluid needs

1. Hot weather, high humidity.

2. Dietary fibers.
3. Increased protein, salt, or sugar intake.
4. Medications (diuretics).
5. Diseases that disturb water balance, such as DM and kidney diseases.
6. Prolonged diarrhea, vomiting or fever.
7. Pregnancy and lactation.
8. Physical activity.
9. Elderly people.
 Water Intoxication

A dangerous dilution of the body fluids

resulting from excessive ingestion of water.

Symptoms:

Headache, muscular weakness, lack of

concentration, poor memory and loss of

appetite.
 Water Deficiency

Dehydration results from loss of water leading to:

• Muscle fatigue.

• The body is unable to cool itself efficiently, leading

to heat exhaustion and possibly heat stroke.

• The body will lack energy and muscles may develop cramps.

• Note: The symptoms progress rapidly from thirst to weakness, exhaustion and
delirium and may end in death.
 Clinical Dehydration Scale

The total score ranges between 0–8, resulting in three categories:

1. No dehydration (clinical dehydration

score of zero),
2. Mild dehydration (clinical dehydration
score of one to four)
3.Moderate or severe dehydration (clinical
dehydration score of five to eight).
 Nutrition Screening and Assessment
Deficiency
Nutritional assessment is the systematic process of collecting and interpreting
information in order to make decisions about the nature and cause of nutrition
related health issues that affect an individual.

Nutrition assessment components include:

• Anthropometrics measurements

• Biochemical and clinical data

• Energy balance

• Dietary history and assessment methods

 Nutrition Assessment Components

Anthropometrics measurements:

• Measurement of weight, height and proportions

to evaluate both under and over nutrition.

• Anthropometrics methods include body mass

index (BMI), mid-arm circumference, skin fold
thickness and hip/waist ratio.
 Nutrition Assessment Components

Anthropometrics measurements:

• Body Mass index (BMI):

BMI = weight (Kg)/ height 2 (m2)

 Nutrition Assessment Components

Biochemical data:

• Include the measurements of hemoglobin, red

blood cells count, fasting blood glucose, blood
lipid profile, liver functions tests, kidney
functions tests and others.
 Nutrition Assessment Components

Dietary history and assessment methods:

• Dietary history and habits

• 24 hours dietary recall / Dietary record

• Food frequency questionnaire

 Thank You

Any Questions?