The effects of dehydration on the body and cognitive function Essay

The effects of dehydration on the body and cognitive function - Essay Example The results of dehydration are manifold, as water is related to the provision of oxygen and hydrogen that are important sources of energy production, yet they are most often manifested in general tiredness of the body along with deficiency in cognitive function of the human body. Since it is difficult to define cognition due to the number of psychological and physiological capabilities it comprises, researchers have often broke it divided the term into specific aspects of cognition that are being assessed. These aspects include cognitive functions such as short-term memory, working memory, discrimination between one’s perception, visual-motor function (Szinnai et al., 2005), proficiency in arithmetic, spatial memory and alertness during divided attention (D’Anci et al., 2009). Dehydration however, culminates into impacts on not only the cognitive but also the physical effects on the health of an individual. The impacts have been investigated on both young and old people participating in extensive strenuous exercises (thus dehydrating them), and also by seeking the biochemical basis of physical and cognitive instability. This paper explores the relationship between dehydration and the physical and mental well-being of individuals, in light of five different articles that have researched into the effects of dehydration. Dehydration has always been of primary concern amongst people who have excessive demand for water and are likely to be unable to adequately compensate for it. Since this category includes mostly sportsmen, a large number of researches have explored the effects that dehydration has on healthy individuals. One such research reported that performance of athletes who competed in a marathon for recreational purposes was either not affected by dehydration or was enhanced in certain people. Although this study seems to be inconsistent with certain widely acclaimed theories, its results are explained by the