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Low body water
Contributing factors
1. Reduced input
a. age-related decrease in thirst sensation
b. physical and mental disabilities restricting access to water
c. diseases requiring dietary restriction of water (e.g., high blood pressure,
congestive heart failure)
d. intravenous (IV) therapy using solutions with high osmotic pressure
2. Increased output
a. profuse sweating
b. vomiting or diarrhea
c. fever
d. diabetes mellitus
e. diuretic medications
f. inhibition of ADH secretion by alcohol ingestion
g. possible decreased kidney response to ADH
Effects
1. less endurance
2. less ability to
prevent overheating
3. nervous system
malfunctions
4. joints stiffness
5. constipation
6. decreased circulation
and ischemia from low blood pressure
7. reduced kidney
functioning
8. formation of urinary
stones
9. drying of the eyes,
mouth, and skin
10. sunken eyes and
loose skin
11. coma and death
High body water
Contributing factors
1. reduced GFR
2. excess oral intake
3. excess IV therapy
4. use of IV solutions
with low osmotic pressures
5. excess ADH production
Effects
1. low osmotic pressure
and cell swelling
2. high total volume
causing high blood pressure, an overburdened heart, and edema
Low sodium
Contributing factors
1. inadequate dietary
intake
2. excess water intake
3. profuse sweating
4. vomiting or diarrhea
5. diabetes mellitus
6. certain diuretics
7. use of dilute IV
solutions
Effects
1. low osmotic pressure
and cell swelling
2. low blood pressure
3. rapid heart rate
4. muscle weakness
5. brain malfunctions
including confusion, seizures, and coma
High sodium
Contributing factors
1. excess dietary
sodium intake
2. low water intake
3. excess water loss
4. circulatory diseases
that reduce kidney perfusion
5. use of IV solutions
with high sodium concentrations
Effects
1. high osmotic pressure
and cell shrinking
2. high total volume
(see above)
Low potassium
Contributing factors
1. dietary deficiency
2. excess loss
a. vomiting or diarrhea
b. loss accompanying starvation
c. diabetes mellitus
Effects
1. mental malfunctions
(confusion, disorientation)
2. muscle weakness
and muscle cramps
3. constipation
4. irregular heart
beat
5. reduced breathing
High potassium
Contributing factors
1. excess use of salt
substitutes that contain potassium
2. conditions causing
extensive cell injury
3. GI tract bleeding
4. factors reducing
kidneys' potassium secretion
a. certain diuretics and NSAIDs
b. conditions that raise acid levels (e.g., respiratory problems, diabetes
mellitus)
Effects
1. irregular heart
beat
2. dangerously slow
heart rate
3. muscle weakness
4. depression
High acid levels (low pH)
Contributing factors
1. respiratory insufficiency
2. infection
3, surgery
4. increased protein
breakdown
5. diabetes mellitus
Effects
1. distortion of molecules
2. poor cell functioning
throughout body
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© Copyright 1999 - Augustine G. DiGiovanna - All rights reserved.
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courses where students are required to purchase the book HUMAN AGING: BIOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVES by Augustine G. DiGiovanna, The McGraw-Hill Companies, New
York, 1994 or 2000; (2) If prior written permission is obtained
from Augustine G. DiGiovanna.