WHAT IS DEHYDRATION?
“ Dehydration means the excessive loss of fluid from your body”.
If you don’t replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated. 75% of our body consists of water. If your body water level decreases you become dehydrated.
CAUSES:
You can become dehydrated because of diarrhea, vomiting, too much sweating, too much urinating due to some illness or certain medicines and not drinking enough water or other fluids. When excessive water is lost from the body, its organs, cells, and tissues fail to function as they should, which can lead to dangerous complications. If dehydration is not treated immediately it could cause shock.
Infants, children, and adults above the age of 65 are at higher risk.
SYMPTOMS:
You can have mild, moderate or severe dehydration.
Signs of mild to moderate dehydration:
- Thirst
- Dry or sticky mouth
- Dark yellow urine
- Dry, cool skin
- Headache
- Dizziness
Signs of severe dehydration:
- Sunken Eyes
- Lack of sweating
- Shriveled and dry skin
- Increased heart rate
- Fever
- Low blood pressure
- Unconsciousness
Complications of dehydration can affect your brain, heart, kidneys, or veins.
TREATMENT:
Mild to moderate dehydration can be treated at home while severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment in the hospital, you will get fluid through an intravenous drip.
If you are mildly dehydrated, drink more water or you can use an oral rehydration solution available at the pharmacy. Or you can make your rehydration fluid. For this purpose take 6 teaspoons of sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt, mix them in 1 liter of boiled water, and use it properly. Make sure that you use the mentioned proportion of salt and sugar.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine during dehydration as they can make dehydration worse.
PREVENTION:
Make sure you drink enough water every day and have extra fluids, especially during hot weather, when you are sick or you’re exercising.
Water is the best thing to hydrate your body. Drink 8-10 glasses of water in the summer daily. Have you ever experienced any type of dehydration? Share your experience.
