Dehydration
Published Date: 6/17/2023 6:05:30 AM
- Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don't replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated.
- Dehydration can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include heat, excessive activity, insufficient fluid consumption, excessive sweating, or medication side effects.
Symptoms of Dehydration:
- Symptoms and signs of dehydration can be minor, such as increased thirst, or severe and life-threatening, depending on the extent of the dehydration.
- The early symptoms of dehydration are thirst, and reduced urine output, and darkening of the urine.
As dehydration progresses, other symptoms develop, including
- dry mouth,
- lightheadedness,
- muscle cramps, and
- palpitations.
Causes:
- The basic causes of dehydration are not taking in enough water, losing too much water, or a combination of both.
- Sometimes, it is not possible to consume enough fluids because we are too busy, lack the facilities or strength to drink, or are in an area without potable water (while hiking or camping, for example). Additional causes of dehydration include:
- Diarrhea: the most common cause of dehydration and related deaths. The large intestine absorbs water from food matter, and diarrhea prevents this from happening. The body excretes too much water, leading to dehydration.
- Vomiting: This leads to a loss of fluids and makes it difficult to replace water by drinking it.
- Sweating: The body’s cooling mechanism releases a significant amount of water. Hot and humid weather and vigorous physical activity can further increase fluid loss from sweating. Similarly, a fever can cause an increase in sweating and may dehydrate the patient, especially if there is also diarrhea and vomiting.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels cause increased urination and fluid loss. Tips for handling summer heat for people with diabetes.
- Frequent urination: Usually caused by uncontrolled diabetes, but also can be due to alcohol and medications such as diuretics, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antipsychotics.
- Burns: Blood vessels can become damaged, causing fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues.
Treatments:
- Dehydration must be treated by replenishing the fluid level in the body. This can be done by consuming clear fluids such as water, clear broths, frozen water or ice pops, or sports drinks (such as Gatorade). Some dehydration patients, however, will require intravenous fluids in order to rehydrate. People who are dehydrated should avoid drinks containing caffeine such as coffee, tea, and sodas.
- Underlying conditions that are causing dehydration should also be treated with the appropriate medication. This may include medication available to purchase over-the-counter or online, such as anti-diarrhea medicines, anti-emetics (stop vomiting), and anti-fever medicines.
Prevention:
- Prevention is really the most important treatment for dehydration. Consuming plenty of fluids and foods that have high water content (such as fruits and vegetables) should be enough for most people to prevent dehydration.
- People should be cautious about doing activities during extreme heat or the hottest part of the day, and anyone who is exercising should make replenishing fluids a priority.
- Since the elderly and very young are most at risk of being dehydrated, special attention should be given to them to make sure they are receiving enough fluids.
Mudra Therapy For Dehydration: