Which condition results from lack of a sufficient amount of water in the body?

• A. Edema
• B. Essential Nutrients
• C. Dehydration
• D. Diet

Answer: (C)

Dehydration occurs when the body doesn’t have enough water. Water is essential for maintaining blood volume, regulating temperature, aiding digestion, and transporting nutrients throughout the body. When fluid intake is less than what you lose through urine, sweat, breathing, or illness, you can become dehydrated. Early signs include thirst, dry mouth, dark yellow urine, and fatigue; in more serious cases, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or confusion can occur. Edema is swelling from too much fluid trapped in tissues, which is the opposite situation. Essential nutrients refer to vitamins and minerals the body needs to function, and diet describes the overall pattern of foods consumed, not a specific condition.