Dehydration should be avoided at all costs. It occurs when the body loses more fluid than we drink thereby, reducing the quantity of the water content in the body, which affects the normal functioning of the body. It is important to catch dehydration in its early stages to avoid complications from the severity.
The signs and symptoms of dehydration in adults range from minor to severe.Mild to moderate dehydration show the following symptoms:
1.Increased thirst
2.Dry mouth
3.Tiredness
4.Headache
5.Decreased urine output
6.Darker Urine
7.Dry skin
8.Dizziness
9.Few or no tears
If early signs of dehydrations are not caught, then it worsens and can lead to severe dehydration, which show:
1.Severely decreased /no urine output.
2.Dizziness or lightheadedness.
3.Low Blood Pressure
4.Rapid heart rate
5.Fever
6.Poor skin elasticity
7.Lethargy, confusion
8.Seizures
9.Coma
A person may suffer from coma, when (s)he is severely dehydrated with water percentage in the body falling dangerously by over 10% of the total water content. Its important to consult a doctor or start home remedies while suffering from mild to moderate dehydration, but its time to call the doctor when you observe:
1.Increased or constant vomiting and diarrhea for more than a day
2.Fever over 101 F (38.3 C)
3.Weight loss
4.Decreased urine production
5.Weakness
6.Fever higher than 103 F (39.4)
7.Confusion
8.Seizures
9.Difficulty breathing
10.Chest or abdominal pain
11.Fainting
12.No urine in the last 12 hours
Treatment for dehydration in adults include home remedies like sipping on water; drinking sports drinks that replace lost nutrients; cooling the body; and removing any excess clothing from the person.
Home Remedies:
1.Sip small amounts of water regularly
2.Drink carbohydrate/electrolyte-containing drinks.
3.Suck on popsicles made from juices and sports drinks.
4.Suck on ice chips.
5.Sip through a straw
6.Try to cool the person, by removing excess clothing or by loosening their clothes, making the person lie down in a cool room, probably with the Air Conditioning, or in a room with fans and place wet towel around the person.
7.Avoid exposing skin to excessive cold, such as ice packs or ice water and this exposure causes shivering, which will increase body temperature, this may cause the dehydration symptoms to become worse.
Always be alert and use presence of mind to detect any person with early signs of dehydration. This may help save the person’s life or help him avoid the serious dehydration.
Always carry a bottle of water or some electrolyte or Glucose with you, you never know when you get dehydrated and need it.
By:Archa Dave
