I mean, I’ve heard that you can typically only survive about three days without water, but what exactly causes your body to fail when you dehydrate too much?

I guess one point is lack of salts (if you sweat a lot) but I’m specifically wondering about lack of water (although a closer explanation about how lack of salts will kill you is also appreciated)

  • @thebestaquamanOPEnglish
    3•1 year ago

    Salts are absolutely necessary for ordinary nerve- and muscular function. If you’ve ever sweated a lot without eating or drinking some salt solution you would notice your muscles start twitching, vibrating and cramping. After a while you can also notice getting light headed and blurry vision.

    Source: Been in situations with plenty of water but no salt, and enormous amounts of sweat. Been in the same situations with access to salt for comparison.