The kidney is the most important organ in the body when it comes to maintaining fluid balance. It is responsible for eliminating waste and excess water. When we drink water, the gastrointestinal tract absorbs it and the kidneys excrete it as urine. However, everyone excretes unique amounts of urine because this is dependent on a number of factors such as thirst, habit, access to water, and environmental factors. It also depends on the ability of each person's kidney to dilute and concentrate the water into urine.
• Our bodies also employ various mechanisms such as the thirst function in order to maintain fluid balance. When we feel thirsty or the body is trying to tell us that we need more water, nerve centers in the brain known as the hypothalamus are stimulated, sending us signals that we need to drink some water and replenish the body's fluid supply.
• We have a pituitary gland in the brain which contributes to fluid balance by secreting an antidiuretic hormone into the blood. This hormone is responsible for allowing the kidney to retain water when there is a low supply of liquid in the body.
• When the body has excess water, the thirst mechanism is suppressed and it releases small amounts of the antidiuretic hormone and the kidneys excrete any excess water as urine.
• Normal adults require about 800 ml of water a day to maintain fluid balance in the body. However, up to 1.4 L of water a day is recommended to fight dehydration especially for those living in warmer climates as well as for those who sweat excessively and exercise.
Water makes up the majority of our body and we can suffer severe dehydration which can prove fatal if we are unable to maintain fluid balance in the body. We have to make sure that we are always getting enough fluids.
• Our bodies also employ various mechanisms such as the thirst function in order to maintain fluid balance. When we feel thirsty or the body is trying to tell us that we need more water, nerve centers in the brain known as the hypothalamus are stimulated, sending us signals that we need to drink some water and replenish the body's fluid supply.
• We have a pituitary gland in the brain which contributes to fluid balance by secreting an antidiuretic hormone into the blood. This hormone is responsible for allowing the kidney to retain water when there is a low supply of liquid in the body.
• When the body has excess water, the thirst mechanism is suppressed and it releases small amounts of the antidiuretic hormone and the kidneys excrete any excess water as urine.
• Normal adults require about 800 ml of water a day to maintain fluid balance in the body. However, up to 1.4 L of water a day is recommended to fight dehydration especially for those living in warmer climates as well as for those who sweat excessively and exercise.
Water makes up the majority of our body and we can suffer severe dehydration which can prove fatal if we are unable to maintain fluid balance in the body. We have to make sure that we are always getting enough fluids.
