Approximately 70 percent of our body is made of water. Therefore water loss through the digestive and urinary systems, or by breathing and sweating, can lead to dehydration – a condition where the volume of fluid lost exceeds the gain.
In the initial stages of this condition, certain mechanisms limit water loss from the kidneys and also trigger thirst, prompting us to increase our water intake. But these mechanisms can maintain the body’s fluid balance only up to a certain critical level, beyond which symptoms of dehydration become apparent.
Common causes
In children, loss of weight is a reliable indicator of water loss.
If dehydration is severe and untreated, blood pressure starts to fall, multiple organ failure sets in and confusion, seizures and coma can ensue. Severe dehydration thus becomes a cause of death.
TreatmentThe most important step in the treatment of dehydration is fluid replacement. Increased fluid intake is recommended for all patients except in individuals whose condition makes them incapable of taking fluids through the mouth. Such patients require intravenous fluid replacement. Patients with persistent diarrhea or vomiting, continuing fever or confusion need hospitalization. Children and the elderly are especially prone to complications and must be given medical aid immediately.
Loss of electrolytes like sodium and potassium along with water can result in complications such as muscle cramps, heart rhythm irregularities and seizures. So it is very important that the body’s electrolyte balance is regulated through fluid replacement.
The most efficient method of fluid replacement is administration of oral rehydration (ORS) salts containing electrolytes and glucose. These are available in various formulations and typically need only to be mixed with plain water before being given to the patient. Recently the WHO recommended the use of ORS solutions with lower concentration of salt and glucose as these also help to reduce diarrhea. ORS formulations containing cooked rice powder in place of glucose also provides this advantage.
You can prepare an ORS solution at home by dissolving one teaspoon of salt and eight teaspoons of sugar in one liter of boiled and cooled water. This solution can be sipped every five minutes, or consumed after every bowel movement, till the patient begins to urinate normally (four or five times a day) and diarrhea stops.
Other simple remedies that help replace electrolytes include shikanji (lime juice mixed in water with salt and sugar) and a mixture of water, fresh fruit juice and mashed banana with salt added to it.
It is necessary to treat the underlying condition that caused the dehydration in the first place, such as an infection and/or fever, in order to prevent on-going fluid loss. Children with severe diarrhea may require medication to decrease gastric secretion, but this should be prescribed by a doctor. Over-the-counter medication and sponging can help to normalize body temperature.
An easy way to check if your fluid intake is adequate is to observe the color of your urine and its volume. If the urine is dark and the amount is less than normal, you definitely need to drink more water.
If you engage in rigorous physical activity that makes you sweat profusely, drink fluids that contain salts (such as sports drinks) so that electrolytes lost by the body are replaced. Avoiding diarrhea by maintaining hygienic will help you avoid dehydration.
Also read: Truth about bottled waterTags: Diarrhea, Hot weatherRead more:Why it pays to go low on saltBoosting your body's immunity
