Dehydration

Dehydration is the result of not having enough body fluids for your body to function well.

Causes

Dehydration is the term used to describe the state of the body when there is insufficient fluid (water) for optimal function.  Dehydration can be caused by excessive fluid loss, insufficient intake or a combination of both.  Fluid loss may result from vominting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating or urine output.  Insufficient fluid intake may occur because of nausea, unavailability of fluids, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting.  “Stomach flu” is an example of a condition that both decreases intake and increases output as nausea or vomiting often prevents drinking fluids while vomiting and diarrhea cause excessive loss of fluid. A common but frequently unrecognized cause of dehydration is a result of advanced age.  The elderly often don’t sense thirst as acutely as the young and as a result, during hot weather may become unknowingly dehydrated.

Symptoms

Don't use thirst as a measure of whether you are becoming dehydrated. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already low on fluids. The color and amount of your urine is a good indicator of the level of dehydration. If there isn't very much urine and it is dark yellow, this means your body is low on fluids.

Early Signs of Dehydration Include:

• Decreased urine output

• Dry mouth

• Dark circles under the eyes

• Decreased activity in children

• Fatigue, irritablitity in adults

• Heart rate normal or increased

Late Signs of Dehydration Include:

• Confusion

• Weakness

• Fainting

• Skin lacking its normal elasticity and sagging back into position slowly when pinched into a fold

• Heart rate faster than normal

First Aid

Mild dehydration can be treated by drinking water or other decaffeinated fluids. Begin by drinking small amounts frequently until you are urinating normally. Rest is also important. Don't use sports drinks, they don't contain enough of the electrolytes needed and too much sugar.

If you are experiencing any of the signs of late dehydration, you need to see your doctor. You may need to receive fluids intravenously (IV). Severe dehydration can result in cardiovascular collapse and death, and should be treated immediately.

Infants and young children may benefit from fluid/electrolyte replacement solutions such as Pedialyte. Infants with frequent vomiting and diarrhea are at risk for dehydration and need immediate medical attention.

If commercial rehydration solutions are not available, you can make a rehydration solution at home. Use 8 level teaspoons of sugar, 1 level teaspoon of table salt, mixed in 1 quart of water. You can add half cup of orange juice or half of a mashed banana to each quart to add potassium and improve taste.

Preventive Care for Dehydration

Dehydration is easier to prevent than it is to treat. To prevent dehydration:

• Drink adequate fluids throughout the day no matter how active or inactive you are, or whether you are ill. Those most at risk are the very young and the very old, especially if they are ill with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

• Monitor fluid intake and drink more than normal if you are ill.

• Children and the elderly have a lower tolerance for high temperatures than young and middle-aged adults and should be monitored to make sure they have an adequate fluid intake.  Children should drink at least 5 ounces of water every 20 minutes during exercise in warm or humid climates .

• Drink at least a quart of water or other electrolyte-replenishing fluid every hour when you are sweating or doing exercise.