Dehydration

Description

Dehydration occurs when the body use it or lose more fluid than it takes in. Then the body does not have enough water and other fluids to do their usual work. Do not replace the loss of fluids leads to dehydration.

Anyone can become dehydrated. But the condition is most serious for infants, children, and older adults.

The most common cause of dehydration in young children is diarrhea and vomiting. Older adults have a lower volume of water in their bodies to begin with. And older adults may have conditions or take medications, such as water pills, which increase the risk of dehydration.

Dehydration also can occur in any person who does not drink enough water during the hot weather. It is more likely in people who are active in the heat.

Drink more liquids usually corrects mild to moderate dehydration. But severe dehydration requires immediate medical treatment.

Symptoms

Thirst is not always a good way to know if the body needs water. Many people, mostly older adults, don't feel thirsty until they are dehydrated. That is why it is important to increase water intake during hot weather or while you are sick.

The symptoms of dehydration can be different according to the age.

Baby or small child

  • Urinating less than usual or not of diapers for three hours.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Absence of tears when crying.
  • Rapid heart rate.
  • Sunken eyes, cheeks, or the soft spot on the top of the skull.
  • Lack of energy or being in a bad mood.
  • The skin does not return to the initial position immediately after being caught.

Adult

  • Extreme thirst.
  • Urinating less.
  • Dark-colored urine.
  • Fatigue.
  • The dizziness.
  • Be withfused.
  • The skin does not return to the initial position immediately after being caught.
  • Sunken eyes or cheeks.

When to see a doctor

Call the family health care professional if you or a loved one:

  • Has had diarrhea for 24 hours or more.
  • Is in a bad mood or confused.
  • It is more drowsy, or less active than usual.
  • Can't keep liquids down.
  • Has bloody or black stools.
  • Has a fever of 102 degrees or more.

Causes

Sometimes dehydration occurs by simple reasons. These include not drinking enough water. This can happen when you are sick or too busy to remember to drink a sufficient amount of. Or you may not have drinking water when traveling, hiking or camping.

Other dehydration causes include:

  • The diarrhea and vomiting. The diarrhea that comes on suddenly and lasts can cause a great loss of water and minerals that the body needs, called electrolytes, in a short period of time. Vomiting with diarrhea causes loss of even more fluids and minerals.
  • Diseases that cause fever. In general, the higher the fever, dehydration can be. The problem is even worse when there is fever and diarrhea and vomiting. Even without a fever, the people who have a cold or sore throat are less likely to feel like eating or drinking. This can lead to dehydration.
  • Time and the activities that cause sweating. The sweat the causes of the loss of fluids. The substitution of fluid during the hard activity is necessary to avoid dehydration. Hot, humid weather increases the amount of sweat and fluids lost.
  • Drugs. Certain drugs cause more urination, which can lead to dehydration. These include the water pills, called diuretics, and some blood pressure medications.
  • Diabetes. Diabetes has not been diagnosed or uncontrolled, it can lead to dehydration.

In general, the higher the fever, dehydration can be. The problem is even worse when there is a fever and diarrhea and vomiting.

Even without a fever, the people who have a cold or sore throat are less likely to feel like eating or drinking. This can lead to dehydration.

Risk factors

Any person may become dehydrated. But certain people are at greater risk. They include:

  • Babies and children. This group is more likely to have bad diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. They also lose a lot of fluids from a high fever or burns. Young children often can not say that they are thirsty. Nor can you get a drink for themselves.
  • Older adults. With aging, the body's fluid reservation is made smaller. The ability to maintain the water is reduced. And older people are less likely to feel thirsty.

Adding to these problems can be diseases such as diabetes and dementia, and the taking of certain medicines. Some older people may not be able to get to the water themselves.

Complications

Dehydration can lead to serious complications, including:

  • Heat injury. People who do not drink enough fluids when you are exercising hard and sweat a lot might end up with a heat injury. The heat injury, ranging from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which can be deadly.
  • Urinary and kidney problems. Prolonged or repeated episodes of dehydration can cause urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and even kid -ney failure.
  • Seizures. Electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium, help carry electrical signals from one cell to another. If the electrolytes are out of balance, signals can be mixed. This can cause the muscles to contract or shorten. It can also cause fainting.
  • Low blood volume shock, called hypovolemic shock. This is one of the most serious complications of dehydration. It can be deadly. It occurs when low blood volume causes a drop in blood pressure and a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the body.

Prevention

To keep from getting dehydrated, drink fluids and eat foods that contain a large amount of water, like fruits and vegetables. Do not drink liquids that contain caffeine or a lot of sugar, such as soda and some energy drinks. They can become dehydrated.

Conditions that can create a need for more fluids include:

  • Vomiting or diarrhea. Children who are vomiting or have diarrhea need extra water at the first signs of the disease. Or in need of a drink that replaces the water, sugar, and electrolytes, called oral rehydration solution. Don't wait until dehydration occurs.
  • The intense exercise. In general, it is best to start drinking more fluids the day before a hard exercise. Make a lot of clear urine is a good sign of being well hydrated. During activity, drink fluids regularly. Drink water or other liquids when the activity.
  • Hot or cold. Drink more water hot or humid climate helps to lower the body temperature and replace the water lost through sweat. In cold weather, excess water may help to prevent combat moisture loss in the dry air. This could be what is most needed at higher altitudes.
  • Disease. Older adults can become dehydrated during minor illnesses. These include the flu, bronchitis and infections of the bladder. Be sure to drink extra fluids when you are not feeling well.

Dehydration

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider can often diagnose dehydration symptoms. For a child, a change in the weight can be used in the diagnosis.

To help confirm the diagnosis and to find out how you are dehydrated, you may have other tests. These may include:

  • Blood tests. Blood samples to check for various things. These include the levels of electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium, and how well the kidneys are working.
  • Analysis of urine. Tests done on the urine can help show if you are dehydrated, and how much. You can also search for a bladder infection.

Treatment

The only way to treat dehydration is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes lost. The best way to replace the loss of fluids is dependent on age, the severity of dehydration and its cause.

For infants and children who are dehydrated due to diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever, use of water with electrolytes, such as Pedialyte or Smart Water.

Start with a teaspoon (5 ml) every 1 to 5 minutes, and increases as the child is able to take it. It might be easier to use a syringe for very young children. Older children can drink diluted sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade. Use 1 part of sports drink to 1 part water.

The majority of adults with mild to moderate dehydration due to diarrhea, vomiting, or fever may improve by drinking more water or other liquids. For children and adults, drinking all the force of fruit juice and soft drinks may worsen diarrhea.

If you work or exercise outdoors during hot or humid weather, drink fresh water. Sport's drinks that contain electrolytes and carbohydrates in solution may also be useful.

Severe dehydration must be treated immediately, either by emergency workers that come in an ambulance or in a hospital emergency room. Salts and fluids through a vein (intravenous, called intravenously, is rapidly absorbed and the speed of recovery.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing his or her child, the family, health care professional. If you or your child shows signs of severe dehydration, such as not having inergy or not responding to others, seek immediate medical attention at a hospital right away.

If you have time to prepare for your appointment, here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Symptoms and when they began. If you have not been vomit or diarrhea, to write, when it began and how long it lasted.
  • Key personal information, including recent travel or meals, which could have caused the disease.
  • Key medical information, including other conditions. List of all the medications, vitamins and supplements, as well as the dose.
  • Questions to ask at your appointment.

For dehydration, the questions may include:

  • What is the cause of these symptoms?
  • What tests are needed?
  • What treatment do you recommend it?
  • How long will it take to improve?
  • What can prevent dehydration from happening again?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask questions, such as:

  • What were you doing when the onset of symptoms?
  • You can keep food or drink?
  • When was the last time you urinate? Do you have pain with urination or urge to urinate right away?
  • There are other symptoms, such as belly cramps, fever, headache, or muscle aches? How bad are these symptoms?
  • There has been blood in the stool?
Symptoms and treatment of Dehydration