Dehydration - symptoms. Dehydration - causes, treatment

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Dehydration - symptoms. Dehydration - causes, treatment
Dehydration - symptoms. Dehydration - causes, treatment
Anonim

As you know, without food, the body can more or less safely live for two weeks, but without adequate fluid supply, a person cannot survive even a day. In this case, sometimes the score goes not to hours, but to minutes. That is why the lack of water in our body is very dangerous for human he alth, and in some cases, no matter how sad it may sound, it can lead to biological death.

dehydration symptoms
dehydration symptoms

What do you think is the cause of dehydration? The answer is pretty simple. Most people simply do not have the idea that water consumption should become a kind of vital necessity, like, for example, eating or defecation. In our article we will try to understand what dehydration is. The symptoms of this dangerous pathology, as well as its causes and treatment - everything will be discussed further.

Definition

Before understanding the symptoms of this pathology, consider the definition of dehydration.

Dehydration (dehydration) is a lack of fluid that is needed for the chemical and metabolic processes that occur in our body. They are carried out continuously throughout human life. As you know, water is the second substance necessary for life after oxygen, and its lack leads to serious consequences, for example, hormonal balance is disturbed, the acidity of the body increases.

As a result of such processes, oncological, endocrine, cardiac and mental diseases appear, and in rare cases, cells of the spinal cord and brain are destroyed. Dehydration can lead to such serious consequences.

Symptoms in this case must be learned to recognize quickly (especially when it comes to a child) in order to avoid more serious problems. Therefore, below we will talk about this in detail.

Dehydration symptoms

Of course, the feeling of thirst is the primary sign that warns that the body does not have enough fluid, but this process cannot be called a normal means of determining dehydration. A more correct indicator would be the amount and color of urine. If it is dark in color, and its quantity is small, this indicates that there is a lack of fluid in the body, so it should be replenished urgently.

More severe symptoms are rapid weight loss. In just a few days, a person can lose up to 10% of their total body weight. In this case, the chemical balance of the body is disturbed, which can lead to kidney failure, and less often to death. This is already a difficult stage, which, in case of failure to provide an ambulance, dehydration of the body can reach.

causes of dehydration
causes of dehydration

The symptoms of this disease are quite difficult to distinguish from other pathologies, but in general you can try. So, the main signs of dehydration:

- dry mouth;

- intense thirst;

- viscous saliva;

- slight dizziness;

- decrease in the number of urination;

- apathy, weakness, malaise;

- rising temperature;

- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Danger signs of dehydration:

- confused mind;

- fainting;

- sunken eyes;

- when pressing on the skin, it very slowly returns to its original position.

signs of dehydration
signs of dehydration

If these symptoms occur, call an ambulance immediately.

Factors causing dehydration

The reasons in this case are obvious. The most common is insufficient fluid intake. But there are other factors that cause dehydration:

- profuse sweating during intense physical exertion;

- vomiting;

- diarrhea.

Every day our body naturally loses different amounts of fluid. This process depends on many factors, for example, on air temperature, relative humidity in the room, on the level of physical activity, as well as on the state of human he alth. Therefore, it is very important to drink at least 2.5 liters of liquid during the day. Compliance with this condition will exclude the possibility of getting dehydrated.

dehydration treatment
dehydration treatment

Symptoms of this pathology, as mentioned earlier, you need to learn to understand. After all, a decrease in activity, constant fatigue, severe thirst, malaise, overwork is nothing more than a request from our body to help it, and if it is not provided in time, then our cells will not be properly saturated with moisture, therefore, in the body very quickly there will be an imbalance. Ulcers, diabetes, constipation, asthma, allergies, obesity, varicose veins, arthritis - this is a small part of what dehydration can lead to. The consequences in this case can be irreversible. There will be memory lapses, pain in the joints and spine, problems with the cardiovascular system, and in rare cases, even the manifestation of dementia is possible.

Dehydration in children

As you know, children are more prone to this disease than adults. The most common causes of dehydration in children are fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

dehydration in children
dehydration in children

Symptoms of dehydration in children

  1. No urination for more than 6 hours.
  2. Urine has a strong odor and is dark in color.
  3. Dry mouth and lips.
  4. Sluggishness.
  5. Bad appetite.
  6. Lack of tears when crying.

Symptoms of moderate to severe dehydration

  1. Sunken eyes.
  2. Drowsiness, apathy of the child to what is happening.
  3. Dry skin.
  4. Dry tongue.
  5. Dry mucous membranes.
  6. A sunken fontanel in babies.

If you find these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately, because dehydration in children is a very dangerous condition that urgently requires medical attention. The doctor, in turn, will prescribe the appropriate treatment. Your baby may need intravenous fluids.

How to treat dehydration?

Treatment depends on the severity of the pathology. In most cases, with a mild stage of the disease, it is urgent to restore the missing fluid level. Lay the patient on a hard surface, if possible in a cool, well-ventilated, damp room, and keep him calm. Water should be given in small portions and better than the temperature that corresponds to the temperature of the patient's body, so that the liquid is more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.

dehydration effects
dehydration effects

If the cause of dehydration is vomiting or diarrhea, in this case, the patient should be given a solution for oral dehydration (Rehydron). If you don't have one, make your own. For this, 1 tsp. s alt, 1 tsp. soda, 2 tbsp. l. Dilute sugar in one liter of boiled water. Such a solution can also be given to children as much as the child can drink, but in small portions, because the reserves of s alt and water are especially small in the body of children, therefore it is for them that all kinds of intestinal infections are the most dangerous.

Prevention of dehydration

The consequences of dehydration can be very dangerous and cost a person he alth or even life. Therefore, in order not to expose your body to such torture, try to prevent dehydration as often as possible already at the initial stage. To prevent fluid deficiency, follow these recommendations:

- in hot and dry weather with active physical activity, elevated body temperature, a long trip, always keep a bottle of still mineral water with you;

- it is better to refrain from physical activity in such weather;

- make sure that your child and elderly parents drink enough liquid without fail;

- in summer try to be in the shade or in air-conditioned rooms;

- do not drink alcoholic beverages in hot and dry weather.

Obviously, everyone knows that the benefits of water for our body are invaluable, but few people realize what consequences can be from its lack, because all vital processes inside us depend on the amount of liquid we consume. Do not forget that regular drinking of water should become your habit, otherwise dehydration cannot be avoided.

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