Dehydration results in an increase in blood viscosity, which can lead to a decrease in blood flow. When the body lacks sufficient water, the blood becomes thicker or more viscous. This increased viscosity makes it harder for the blood to flow through the blood vessels smoothly, which in turn can reduce blood flow throughout the body.
In contrast to the options provided:
- Dehydration does not result in an increase in blood flow or blood pressure. In fact, dehydration can lead to a decrease in blood pressure due to the reduced blood volume from water loss.
- It also does not directly cause an increase in vascular resistance. Vascular resistance may increase in certain conditions like dehydration, but it's not a direct result of dehydration.
- While dehydration can lead to changes in blood flow and vascular resistance, the key factor is the increase in blood viscosity due to water loss.
Therefore, the most accurate statement would be: Dehydration results in an increase in blood viscosity, decreasing blood flow.
