The human body needs water to maintain enough
blood and other fluids to function properly. If the body
loses much more fluid than what is consumed, dehydration
occurs.
Fluids are lost from the body during the following:
urination
vomit or lose stools
sweat
breathing, especially during rapid
breathing
overexertion in hot or humid weather
fever
Along with the fluids, the body also loses
electrolytes (mineral salts).
What is the cause?
The usual causes of dehydration are diarrhoea
and vomiting. Dehydration can also occur if one does not eat
or drink much during an illness or if one does not drink
enough during or after strenuous exercise. Medications that
control excess body fluid (diuretics) by causing fluid loss
are a common long-term cause. Although anyone can become
dehydrated, those who become dehydrated the most easily are:
babies less than 1 year old
the elderly
anyone who has a fever
people in hot weather
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of early or mild dehydration
include:
flushed face
extreme thirst
dry, warm skin
small amounts of dark, yellow urine
dizziness made worse when one stands
weakness
cramping in the arms and legs
crying with few or no tears
headache
dry mouth with thick saliva
Symptoms of moderate to severe
dehydration include:
low blood pressure
fainting
severe muscle contractions in the arms,
legs, stomach, and back
convulsions
a bloated stomach
sunken eyes with few or no tears
lack of skin elasticity (a bit of skin
lifted up takes a long time to go back to its normal
position)
rapid and deep breathing
What is the treatment?
If there is mild dehydration, one needs to
drink enough liquid to replace the fluids lost. Also, the
electrolytes need to be replaced. Drinking sips of water
slowly, along with eating a balanced diet, high in salt,
will replace fluids and salts lost. Nonprescription
medicines are available that help replenish fluids and
electrolytes. Fluids and electrolytes can be replaced by
drinking oral rehydration solutions (ORS). Packets of oral
rehydration salts are widely available. One needs to just
mix the contents of a packet with 1 litre of drinking water.
An oral rehydration solution can be made at home using the
following recipe: To 1 litre of drinking water or boiled
water, add the following:
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate
of soda)
If baking soda is not available, add
another 1/4 teaspoon of salt. If possible, add 1/2 cup
orange juice or some mashed banana to improve the taste and
provide some potassium. Drink sips of the ORS every 5
minutes until urination becomes normal. Adults and older
children should drink at least 3 litres of ORS a day until
they are well. If there is vomiting, keep trying to drink
the ORS.
In case of severe dehydration, one needs to go to an
emergency room or other health care facility to get
intravenous (IV) fluids. If possible , continue drinking the
ORS too.
How long will the effects last?
If dehydration is not treated,
it can cause death. If it is treated in time, recovery is
usually complete.
How to prevent dehydration?
If a person has diarrhoea or vomiting or is
not drinking enough fluids, then he must be forced to drink
more liquids before he becomes dehydrated. If someone is
becoming dehydrated, follow these guidelines:
Give more liquids than usual.
Remember that a dehydrated person will
have less appetite. Encourage him to eat and drink small
amounts of food and liquids 5 to 7 times a day.
Watch for signs of severe dehydration
and get medical help as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Drink Enough Water
Healthcare Provider
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