How the Body Works : Functions of the Hypothalamus

Do you ever wonder what triggers thirst, hunger or sex?

Jamie Foxx says.. "Blame it on the a-a-a-a-alcohol." haha. Well that too...

But lets take it back to good 'ol anatomy and physiology.

The hypothalamus.

In class this week we are learning about fluid volume disturbances, one being Hypovolemia ( a fluid volume deficit of water and electrolytes). Not to be confused with dehydration.. although so very closely linke, dehydration is the loss of water alone.

As nurses this is one of the most crucial areas of care we need to closely assess in our patients. And now I know why. Most every single patient I have had so far in my clinical has had some form of symtom of hypovolemia. They have an IV of normal saline to promote homeostatis (normal saline is an isotonic solution which in turns helps bring fluids back to a balanced level) or they may have an IV of Lactated Ringers which contains added electrolytes. There are specific things we need to strictly monitor and assess like skin turgor, degree of edema if present, lung sounds, body weight, urine intake and output and so on.

So I was curious as to how we become thirsty? Where does this all begin?

Pathophysiology. yaya.. i love this stuff.

This is a short video that explains very simply what the hypothalmus is and the function.

But here is a little break down of our thirst mechanism:http://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8362127

Cheers!