Dehydration
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration refers to the relative deficiency of water molecules in comparison to other dissolved solutes in the body. This may occur for various reasons. Normally, a person’s body contains two thirds of water. When the body loses more water than it gains, the level of water molecules may go down and when it goes below the necessary quantity, it is termed to be a condition of dehydration. Dehydration in smaller proportions is not a serious disease and it completely goes unnoticed, but in larger proportions it might act as a severe threat to health and well being of an individual.
Individuals lose water due to various physiological activities such as breathing, sweating and urinating.
Usually, the body’s thirst mechanism alerts the individual when there is a need or deficiency of water in the body. But due to various physiochemical reasons this mechanism might not work properly, thereby the signals might be potentially absent. This would lead to dehydration as the individual might not be aware that the proportion of water in the body has gone below the normal level.
Symptoms of Dehydration
The body’s initial response to dehydration, as mentioned above, includes the thirst mechanism and decrease in output of water by decreasing urine output due to which the urine may get more concentrated and yellow in color. With increasing loss of water many other signs and symptoms may appear. The most common of these symptoms is having a dry mouth. The eyes may also stop making tears with increasing dehydration. Another prevalent symptom of dehydration is absence of sweat production, which is again due to the body’s mechanism of decreasing the output of water through various physiological processes. Apart from these normal symptoms, increasing dehydration may lead to muscle cramps as the cells would function abnormally due to the absence of water. Furthermore, nausea and vomiting may also occur due to considerable loss of water from the body. The individual may also suffer from lightheadedness, especially while standing, due to severe dehydration.
Headaches and increase in body temperature are also common in the cases of moderate to extreme dehydration.
Diagnosis of Dehydration
The general process of diagnosis of dehydration includes monitoring of various physical signs and symptoms. These include little or no urination, skin that lacks the normal elasticity and luster and sunken eyes. On the basis of these signs the doctor might be able to diagnose dehydration in most cases. However, there are further tests such as blood and urine analysis to diagnose dehydration surely. The blood tests are conducted to check the electrolytes, especially potassium and sodium, present in the blood to judge whether the blood is more concentrated than normal. It might also be conducted to test whether the kidneys are working properly. Urine analysis includes checking the color, concentration and specific gravity of the urine. A high specific gravity refers to a considerable amount of dehydration of the body. Furthermore, the physician may go for further tests to decipher whether there is diabetes or kidney problems present in the body.
Causes of Dehydration
There are various causes that may results in dehydration. Prolonged physical activity without consuming liquids and a prolonged exposure to dry air may be the most common causes. Apart from these, diarrhea is one of the most common reasons for dehydration. In this condition, significant quantity of water may be lost due to the bowel movements.
Sweating is another prevalent reason for dehydration. Usually, the body tries to settle the temperature by the sweat mechanism and in the process significant amount of water is lost. Sweating may occur in a hot environment, due to working out intensely in a warm atmosphere and due to fever.
Diabetes may also be the reason behind dehydration. Usually, elevated blood sugar levels tend to soak up more water leading to intense dehydration.
Vomiting is another major reason for dehydration. It makes it difficult to consume water to relieve the condition. Severe burns may also lead to dehydration. Inability to drink fluids for various reasons- be it physical or induced, may also lead to dehydration.
Types of Dehydration
Dehydration, in general terms, is classified into mild, moderate and severe types depending upon the proportion of water-loss from the body. The type of dehydration in which the loss of body water is not more than 5% is called mild dehydration. If the percentage of water loss is in the range of 5-10%, it is known as moderate dehydration. The final and a life threatening type of dehydration is that in which the body water is lost between 10-15%.
Some researchers also divide dehydration into two distinct types depending upon the nature of the disease. It may be divided into dehydration due to shortage of water; and due to shortage of electrolytes, according to them.
Treatment of Dehydration
1. For children:
The first step towards the treatment of dehydration for children includes the use of an oral rehydration salt. It is a must if the doctor doesn’t advice otherwise. These solutions contain electrolytes and salts in the required amount which help in treating the young children quickly. It is advisable to start giving fluids in the early stage of dehydration so that the condition doesn’t worsen. In emergency, one can prepare their own rehydration solution by adding 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 liter of purified drinking water. Care must be taken to purify the water so that other infections or diseases do not crop up.
The general condition for offering these solutions is to keep giving the rehydration salts till the color of urine of the child becomes clear. Usually, physicians advice regarding the dosage of the rehydration salts. If not, then this rule can be handy enough to treat the condition. The rehydration salts can be administered even if the child is vomiting or suffering from acute diarrhea.
The children should be adequately breast fed during dehydration. It is found that simultaneous administering of breast feeding and oral rehydration salts are completely safe and can be taken up during dehydration.
Some foods must be avoided during dehydration. These include milk, salty broths, sodas, fruit juices or gelatins. These may worsen rather than treating the condition.
2. For adults
Adults can decrease the severity of dehydration by increasingly drinking pure water. Coffee, tea and other caffeine rich liquids should be avoided as they might temporarily increase dehydration. If the dehydration is due to diarrhea, fruit juices should be avoided as these may worsen the condition by increasing the severity of diarrhea.
Living with Dehydration
Although dehydration doesn’t occur for very long duration, it is essential to take necessary steps to fight dehydration. One should always take ample amount of fluids while working out or when the body does any such activity which leads to loss of water. Moreover, vomiting should be stopped, with proper medical intervention as soon as possible to re-enact the normal process of acquiring liquids for the body. Apart from these, when a person is identified to suffer from the diseases which may lead to dehydration, the individual should take ample care to keep the normal level of water in the body, by means of the simple steps discussed above or through medical supervision.
Prevention of Dehydration
For early detection and prevention of dehydration, the individuals should take immediate medical help for treating various diseases that lead to dehydration, such as diabetes and diarrhea. Moreover, while working out in hot and humid conditions, people should take liquids or oral rehydration drinks at short intervals. Coffee, colas and other caffeine-rich drinks which increase urination, thereby leading to dehydration should be avoided. High protein diets, alcoholic beverages and salt tablets should also be avoided to prevent dehydration from occurring. Moreover, children and adults who are prone to dehydration should take 6-8 glasses of fluids every day to keep dehydration away.
