Women More Vulnerable Dehydration

Lack of the body's natural fluids or commonly known as dehydration can cause a decrease in stamina, concentration, and can even be fatal. Compared with men, it turns out women are more susceptible to the adverse effects of dehydration, especially in the decline of cognitive abilities and mood.

Research conducted mutrakhir Lawrence E. Armstrong, an expert on world hydration and Harris R. Lieberman, an expert in neuro cognition, said dehydration by 1.5 percent in men will cause a decrease in concentration and memory, fatigue and tension. Meanwhile, in women the negative effect that is felt when the dehydration of 1.3 percent.

"Women are more sensitive to the effects of dehydration. Dehydration of 1.3 percent already have the impact that lack of dehydration in men 1.5 per cent of body fluids. In women even coupled with the effects of headaches," said Dr.dr.Saptawati Bardosono, Sp.GK, when presenting the results of recent research in Jakarta, Wednesday (9 / 2).

He added, in addition to hormonal factors, differences in the effect of dehydration is also caused by differences in body composition of men and women. "Men composition of muscle is higher, while the higher the fat lady so that components are also more water," said faculty member at the Department of Nutritional Sciences Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia.

Studies conducted in 2010 that involved 20 healthy adult women who have a habit of drinking 2-3 liters of water a day. They were then asked to fast for 23 hours drinking water and cognitive tests. The study shows their decreased concentration, fatigue, drowsiness, headache and disturbed moodnya fast.

Another speaker, dr.Luciana Sutanto, Sp.GK mention chronic dehydration are often asymptomatic because the body has its own adaptation mechanism. "When the body is dehydrated it will send a signal of thirst. Inside the body's own blood plasma coagulation occurs so that will be issued certain hormones that cause the reduction of water use in the form of a small amount of urine," he explained.

Luciana suggested that body balance is maintained in a way to consume enough fluids before the onset of thirst. "Do not ignore his thirst because it is a sign of the body," he said.