Imagine being stuck in a remote location or going through an unexpected emergency, then how long can you survive without drinking water?
Meanwhile, an average person can easily survive multiple weeks without food. However, when it comes to water, the timeline is drastically shorter, typically ranging from a few days to a week.
It is important for everyone to understand the maximum limits of human endurance in the absence of water. In this detailed Frizzlife blog post, we are going to discuss every possible detail that you need to know in this regard.
Also, read our blog post about Why My Stomach Hurts After Drinking Water?
The Role of Water in the Human Body
Before we directly head towards our main topic, it will be good if we first understand the critical role of water in the human body.
Feed this in your mind: Water is not just a thirst-killer, instead, it is a fundamental component of life that plays an integral part in maintaining overall health and functionality.
Medical experts believe that almost every cell in your body requires water to function properly. So, drinking water assists in transferring nutrients, removing taste, and facilitating better cellular processes. Apart from this, water also helps in regulating the body temperature.
We all know that, through the process of sweating, our body releases heat, which can be especially true in extreme weather conditions. If there is not much water in the body, this process will be affected, and ultimately increase the overall chances of health issues.
Furthermore, water also plays an important role in food digestion. Besides this, it is also useful for saliva production, gastric juices, and bile. All these are necessary elements for food breakdown.
Finally, our kidneys also rely on water to efficiently filter out waste and toxins from the blood and body. Proper hydration makes sure your kidneys are working properly and contributes to overall health and well-being.
Now, we think you will have an efficient idea about the critical role of water in the human body.
How Long Can Someone Survive Without Drinking Water?
However, the answer to this question depends on multiple factors, including:
· Age: Infants and young children are more likely to feel thirst quickly and get dehydrated. This is because they usually have higher body water content and greater surface area relative to their overall volume.
· Health conditions: Individuals with specific health conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, kidney issues, etc., also require more water to survive. This is because chronic illnesses mainly impact the body’s ability to effectively retain water.
However, generally, it is said by medical experts that a normal person can survive without drinking water for up to 7 days.
However, in case of extreme weather conditions, the time frame will be limited to 1-3 days only.
So, if you or anyone else gets stuck in a situation where water is unavailable, then seeking help and finding a water resource should be the topmost priority.
What are Some Common Signs that Your Body is Running Out of Water
By nature, the human body is created in such a way that it sends different signals when it running short on water. For your better understanding, we are going to divide this section into three parts: Early symptoms, Extreme symptoms, and Severe symptoms.
Early Symptoms:
Here are some early symptoms of dehydration.
· Thirst: This is obvious – you will ultimately start feeling thirsty when the body runs out of water. This is the initial stage.
· Dry lips & mouth: Next comes the dry lips and mouth stage. Both elements indicate the start of dehydration.
· Fatigue: People can also experience fatigue as the body begins to conserve energy in response to low fluid levels.
Now, let’s move on to the extreme symptoms.
Extreme Symptoms:
Some of the extreme symptoms are dehydration are discussed as follows:
· Dizziness and lightheadedness: If dehydration isn’t handled at the right time, the person may start feeling dizzy and lightheaded. This can be especially true when standing up. This happens due to low blood pressure and volume.
· Rapid heart rate: Your heartbeat may begin to race up quickly as it works harder to pump blood throughout the body with less fluid volume.
· Confusion issues: Numerous medical experts believe that severe dehydration can also affect the cognitive functions of the human body. The person may face difficulties in paying attention to things.
Severe Symptoms:
These severe symptoms of dehydration can pose serious health threats. Avoid them at all costs!
· Sunken eyes: Due to the absence of water in the body, your eyes will start feeling sunken or hollow. This is more than enough to indicate severe fluid loss.
· Rapid breathing: Your breathing will also become rapid and shallow. Because the body is struggling to maintain oxygen levels.
· Low blood pressure: Due to dehydration, a significant drop can occur in your blood pressure levels.
So, these are a few common symptoms that will tell you that the body is running out of water. Even after drinking water, if your health condition doesn’t improve, then immediately get in touch with a certified doctor.
How Much Should You Drink on a Daily Basis?
The answer depends on different factors such as your age, your work type, your environment, your health conditions, etc. However, the general suggestion is to consume at least 8 glasses of water in a single day.
Remember, there is no need to drink the whole amount in a few hours; instead, drink water throughout the day. This way, you will not feel uncomfortable and will also stay energetic. Additionally, don’t just rely on water only; it is better to consume hydration-rich fruits and vegetables to boost health.
Final Words
A normal person can survive 3-7 days without drinking water. However, if they are suffering from specific health conditions, have low metabolism, or are living in extreme weather conditions, then the given time frame will be a maximum of 3 days only. Water is essential for life, so never ever underestimate its importance for both survival and better well-being.