Question

What is actually lost during dehydration?
A. Sodium chloride
B. Potassium chloride
C. Calcium chloride
D. Calcium sulphate

Answer 1

Dehydration occurs when there is loss of fluids in the body. It affects the concentration of electrolytes resulting in the imbalance of electrolytes.

Complete answer:
Dehydration occurs in the body when there is less fluid or less water present in the body because of which body cannot function properly. In the body dehydration occurs due to the kidney diseases, heatstroke, vomiting, and diarrhoea which results in the dehydration. Dehydration directly affects the electrolyte concentration of the body. It can occur in any person but is quite dangerous for the young children and adults.
The main cause of dehydration is not drinking the required amount of water which the body requires in the hot weather or when you exercise a lot but your water intake is less or the quality of water you are drinking is not good. Besides these they are other causes like fever, high amount of sweating, increased amount of urine.
Sodium is one of the important electrolytes which leads to electrolyte or fluid imbalance in the body. The symptoms of low sodium in the body are rough and dry mouth, no tears during the time of crying and irritation in the young children whereas in adults there is confusion, cracked lips, fatigue, dizziness observed.
Different body organs like the adrenal, brain, and kidney work together to regulate the proper amount of sodium electrolyte in the body. Sodium helps the body in absorbing sugar, water, chlorides and amino acids whereas chloride in the form of hydrochloride which acts as a component of gastric juice in absorbing and digesting nutrients so the balance is very important for the body.Dehydration can cause low sodium amounts or hyponatremia or hypernatremia in the body which results in the heat injury, kidney and urine problem and seizures.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Dehydration or fluid loss in the body can be minimized by having a balanced diet and good lifestyle. Eating lots of citrus fruits, seasonal fruits and green leafy vegetables may decrease the low or high sodium level in the body.