How Long Can You Survive Without Water (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 3 Days

Our body needs a specific amount of water to function correctly, and a person may only survive a few days without it. Many other important factors like someone’s activity levels and the surroundings also play a crucial role, so there’s no way to tell how fast a person would die from dehydration.

Dehydration happens swiftly, causing extreme thirst, fatigue, and finally, organ failure and death. A person may go from feeling thirsty to slightly sluggish on a primary day with no water and end up with organ failure by the third. Dehydration does not similarly affect everyone. Each living individual has a different tolerance level to dehydration and should be prepared to survive without water for extended or shorter periods than somebody else.

How Long Can You Survive Without Water?

The body requires plenty of water to carry out many essential functions, such as supporting the interior temperature and preserving the cell’s life present in our body.
A person can survive without water for like three days. Nevertheless, some factors, as the quantify of water an individual body needs, how it uses water, and how it affects them.

Factors that may change how much water a person needs comprise age, activity levels, overall health, bodily necessities, such as height and weight. Also, the eating factor of the individual can affect the amount of water they require to drink. The environmental conditions a person is in will also affect how much water their body regularly uses.

A person with diarrhea, vomiting, or similar symptoms having no access to water, might lose it much quicker than someone without these issues. Without water, the body is unable to function correctly and will stop working. The human body utilizes water for sweat production, which evaporates and lowers the body temperature. With low levels of water, the body cannot produce any sweat and can lead to an increase in the body temperature.

Putting pressure on the fluid, such as blood, might lead to dropping in blood volume. Lower blood circulation might cause a severe drop in blood pressure, which itself can lead to unconsciousness or death. Causes drying up of the mouth, and slows down the digestive system. Water helps remove the toxins from cells and excrete them through urine. Without water, the body cannot do this efficiently, causing toxins to build up and lead to failed kidneys.

Toxins build-up causing extensive organ failure and even death.

Why Would You Survive Without Water For That Long?

Water is a crucial part of a healthy balanced diet because the body depends on it to function. 70% of the human body is water. The body’s chemical processes take place due to water. Water helps in digestion, helps absorb nutrients, allows bodily movement, gets rid of toxins, and to coordinates the body temperature. Not drinking adequate water can make one very sick. Severe dehydration can lead to dizziness and lead someone to collapse.

If someone shows some symptoms of dehydration, they must drink water immediately and seek medical advice if they do not feel any better. Aged people have a greater risk of dehydration because they feel less thirsty naturally and, their kidneys might not function as well. Taking medicines, such as laxatives and diuretics, cannot move around to get a drink. This makes it difficult for such individuals to stay hydrated. For aged individuals, not drinking sufficient water for long periods can lead to critical problems such as constipation, memory loss, being inefficient while working, and having a stroke. These are the signs when one needs to drink more water:

• Feeling thirsty
• Lightheadedness
• Dark Colored Urine
• Fatigue
• Fainting

Conclusion

Hydration is a basic necessity for human life. Some might survive for weeks without food but can only sustain a few days at the most without any water intake. Eating food that keeps the body hydrated and, drinking water will help stop dehydration.

Without water, dehydration can affect the body rapidly. Depending on the individual’s surroundings and endeavor levels, they might notice changes in their body right after a few hours. If someone has diarrhea or vomiting, their body will lose water quicker. A person who drinks water when they feel thirsty won’t be at any risk of dehydration.

Reference

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494410000496
2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health