Stages of dehydration. Dehydration: everything you need to know about this condition of the body. How to tell if your body is getting enough fluids

Dehydration is a pathological condition in which the body experiences a lack of fluid. As a result, the blood thickens and the concentration of cellular elements increases. The cause of dehydration can be a decrease in the flow of fluid into the body, increased release of fluid from the body: burn disease, persistent vomiting, diarrhea, etc.

Types of dehydration

Currently, there are several degrees of dehydration:

• Mild dehydration - loss of 5-6% (1 - 2 l) of fluid
• Moderate dehydration - loss of 6-10% (2-4 l) of fluid
• Severe dehydration - loss of 10% (more than 4 L) of fluid
• Acute dehydration is a loss of more than 10 liters of water; this condition threatens the patient’s life.

Depending on the salt balance during dehydration, several types of dehydration are distinguished:

• Isotonic dehydration (the salt composition of the blood is normal)
• Hypertensive dehydration (increased concentration of blood salts)
• Hypotonic dehydration (reduced blood salt concentration)

Isotonic dehydration

In this case, the salt composition of the blood does not change with loss of fluid.

Causes of isotonic dehydration

• Persistent vomiting and diarrhea
• Diarrhea
• intestinal obstruction
• peritonitis
• acute pancreatitis
• large burns
• excessive urine output (polyuria)

Symptoms of isotonic dehydration

• Reduced arterial and venous pressure, blood flow slows down.
• Dry skin
• Tongue dry
• Decreased urine output

Treatment of isotonic dehydration

• Treatment of the underlying disease: burn disease, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.
• Intravenous administration of saline, blood plasma.

Hypotonic dehydration

With hypotonic dehydration, the concentration of sodium in the blood is reduced. As a result of salt imbalance, life-threatening complications can occur for the patient.

Causes of hypotonic dehydration

• Persistent vomiting
• profuse diarrhea
• heavy sweating
• increased urine output

Symptoms of hypotonic dehydration

• dry skin, decreased intraocular pressure
• circulatory disorders
• increased blood nitrogen levels
• kidney and brain dysfunction
• blood thickening

Treatment of hypotonic dehydration

• Intravenous administration of hypertonic solutions (reopolyglucin, polyglucin, gelatinol).

Hypertensive dehydration

With this type of dehydration, the removal of water from the body exceeds the removal of salt.

Causes of hypertensive dehydration

• renal failure (period of polyuria)
• Long-term use of diuretics
• fever
• Inadequate intravenous administration of hypertonic solutions

Symptoms of hypertensive dehydration

• thirst
• weakness
• apathy
• mental excitement
• confusion
• convulsions
• dry skin
• elevated body temperature
• decreased urine output
• blood thickening

Treatment of hypertensive dehydration

• Treatment of diseases that cause dehydration
• Administration of hypotonic solutions intravenously.

Most often, of course, dehydration occurs during the hot summer period, so doctors especially insist that people drink enough water at this time of year. But the reason may be not only a sudden loss of water from the body, but also as a result of various kinds of diseases.

The abilities of the human body are practically limitless and without water it can survive from three to ten days. It depends on various surrounding circumstances. A sudden loss of fluid increases thirst, but if you suddenly start drinking water in large quantities, this can lead not only to edema, but also to death.

Causes of dehydration

• excessive sweating (due to hot weather or excessive physical activity);
• vomiting caused by poisoning;
• sunstroke;
• excessive alcohol consumption;
• burn condition.

In addition, dehydration is classified according to severity from mild to severe, and acute dehydration is distinguished separately.

Symptoms of dehydration

It would seem that the main indicator, a marker of dehydration, could be thirst. Indeed, if you really want to drink, then the body is already suffering from a lack of water, but this is not necessarily dehydration. To determine if you are dehydrated, symptoms can be easily calculated by the color and amount of urine. The main indicator is insufficient quantity and its dark yellow color. This is how you can understand that there is not enough water in the body.

You should also not ignore symptoms such as:

• General weakness of the body;
• Lack of appetite;
• Constant desire to sleep;
• Dark circles under the eyes;
• Temperature;
• Viscous salivation or its complete absence;
• In severe cases - delirium, body spasms, dullness of hearing and vision, as well as involuntary urination.

Signs of dehydration

Among the first signs indicating dehydration are:

1. Rare urination in small quantities, having a rather pungent odor.
2. Excessive sweating is unusual for the body. Possibly due to load or temperature.
3. Nausea.
4. Overwork.
5. Children typically experience decreased activity during the day.
6. Intense thirst.
7. Diarrhea.

It is also important to know that after 20 years the feeling of thirst becomes dull, but this does not reduce the body’s need for water. You should drink at least a glass of water if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Tiredness ahead of time;
• Irritability;
• A rush of blood to the face, as if the face is “burning”;
• Decreased libido;
• Restless state;
• Unreasonable bad sad mood.

With moderate or severe dehydration, not only weakness, but also fainting may occur, and the main criterion is that when a small area of ​​skin is squeezed, it very slowly returns to its normal state, whereas with normal water balance in the body, it returns to its normal state in a fraction of seconds .

Complications caused by dehydration

Among them may be:

1. Damage to the genitourinary system, in particular the kidneys.
2. Shock, manifested by pallor, rapid breathing, cold sweat, clammy skin, weak pulse and even loss of consciousness.
3. In extreme cases, death.

Consequences of dehydration

The initial stages are especially important to identify and prevent the development of symptoms of dehydration.

Metabolism, transportation of vital substances, premature aging are just a few of the things that can happen if symptoms are not prevented in time.

This will lead to increased blood pressure, weakened immunity and the development of various diseases. After all, instead of fighting infections, the body simply does not spend all its remaining resources on providing water for the functioning of its organs and brain function, and there is simply no energy left to fight infections and viruses.

To prevent this, you should drink plenty of fluids throughout the day (at least one and a half liters), regardless of your activity. Once every six months or year, take special medications that enhance immunity and contain electrolytes or restore the amount of fluid in the body.

If you see that you cannot cope with the symptoms yourself or are unable to determine what is happening to you or your child, then immediately call a doctor. If it is dehydration, then the doctor will be able to determine and eliminate its cause. If the severity has already reached the moderate or severe level, then the doctor should provide intravenous fluids.

It's easier to prevent than to treat

Preventive measures for such a dangerous disease can save the life and health of you and your loved ones.

To do this, you just need to constantly replenish your water balance throughout the day, regardless of your activity level and how you feel. This is especially true for young children and older people, especially if alarming symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or a sharp increase in body temperature are observed. During illness, you should drink 1.5-2 times more than your daily water intake.

The culture of the drinking regime is no less important than the diet during the day. And it is important to fill your body with clean drinking water. After all, our favorite tea or coffee, and even more so carbonated drinks, can, on the contrary, contribute to rapid dehydration due to dyes and phosphoric acid, which is only absent in clean water.

It is important to know that dehydration is deadly in both hot and cold weather.

It is also useful to know your body’s individual need for water. To do this, you need to multiply your weight by 20, and if you are actively involved in sports or your study/work is related to a dynamic lifestyle, then you should multiply by 30, that is, for each kilogram of weight you should receive 20 or 30, respectively, milliliters of clean water in day. For example, your weight is 75 kg. This means your norm is 1.5 or 2.25 liters, respectively.

Treatment of dehydration

Of course, treating the body for dehydration is to gradually restore the body's water balance to the required level. In severe cases, this is only possible with the help of artificial fluid administration, since the normal circulation of the body is disrupted.

Healing mild and moderate forms of water deficiency is aimed at restoring the lost volume of water and blood and in most cases can be done at home.

To prevent dehydration

• The normal drinking regime in conditions of average activity and heat is one and a half to two liters of water, not counting drinks.
• It is especially important to drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhea, high fever, or nausea.
• Two hundred milliliters in half an hour is the norm for an active child during a walk.
• One liter of water in one hour is the norm for a fully grown person when playing sports or doing physical work.

Health

The role of water for our body cannot be underestimated, especially since almost all metabolic processes in our body, one way or another, depend on the fluid inside our body. A lack of water in the body can lead to devastating consequences for it, causing the development of many diseases. And, conversely, this condition itself - dehydration - can be a kind of signal about developing diseases. This is why it is so important to have sufficient information about dehydration - a condition of the body that is medically called dehydration.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT DEHYDRATION

-- Dehydration is said to occur when there is increased loss of water from the body.

-- The state of dehydration threatens a person at any age, but the most dangerous process of dehydration is in childhood and old age.

-- Dehydration of the body, as such, can be caused by insufficient fluid intake; loss of water as a result of intense physical activity; heavy sweating; vomiting or diarrhea; as well as increased excretion of fluid in the form of urine.

-- A healthy adult needs to consume at least 2.5 liters of any liquid per day to maintain adequate levels of fluid in their body.

-- Early signs that may indicate dehydration include fatigue, nausea, low blood pressure, dry mouth and chapped lips.

-- Severe cases of dehydration lead to organ failure and death.

-- Usually, in order to restore the required level of fluid in the body, it is enough for a person to regularly begin to replenish its reserves by drinking. However, in some severe cases, intravenous fluids may be required into the body - the so-called intravenous rehydration(restoration of moisture content).

-- Since during the process of dehydration, important electrolytes (sodium, potassium and other substances) are removed from the body, it is necessary to take care of replenishing their deficiency.

WHY DOES THE BODY NEED FLUID?

So, dehydration occurs when the human body loses its fluid reserves. This is truly an extremely destructive process for human health., since 65 percent of the weight of an adult’s body is liquid. For people who are obese, this figure is slightly lower, at 55 percent. These figures are true for the male half of the population; As for the female body, approximately 10 percent should be subtracted from each figure.

Scientists have long found out that approximately two-thirds of all fluid in the human body is contained in cells. It’s called intracellular fluid. The remaining third of the fluid is outside the cells and is called, accordingly, extracellular (tissue) fluid. About a quarter of the extracellular fluid is contained in plasma (that is, in arteries, veins and capillaries). The remaining part of the extracellular fluid is located outside the cells and blood vessels, filling the so-called tissue gaps. This fluid is called intercellular. All natural processes occurring in the human body - such as blood circulation, kidney function and the process of sweating - are impossible when there is a lack of fluid. Cells, with a lack of fluid in the body, also dry out and cannot perform their functions normally. That is why it is necessary to maintain the natural supply of fluid in the body, regularly replenishing it with appropriate doses of water from the outside.

WHO IS AT GREATEST RISK OF SUFFERING FROM DEHYDRATION?

Elderly people and children are at greatest risk during the process of body dehydration. In addition, it is precisely in representatives of these two age categories that we observe rapid removal of electrolytes from the body through fluids. It is known that the percentage of water in a child’s body is slightly higher than in adults. That is why metabolic processes (metabolism) in children occur more intensely. This means children are at greater risk of becoming dehydrated and developing infections from vomiting and diarrhea. Add to this the fact that children, for the most part, are far are not always able to independently make decisions about the need to replenish fluid in the body, and you will understand why this age category is at risk for dehydration.

As for older people, they often have an increased need for fluid, expressed in incessant thirst. Unfortunately, our kidneys in old age are unable to work as efficiently as in our younger years. Various neurological conditions may also be to blame., such as Alzheimer's disease or pre-stroke condition, which does not allow the elderly to adequately take care of their needs, one of which is regular replenishment of fluid deficiency in the body. In addition, in old age there may be problems associated with urinary incontinence, which, in turn, forces older people to limit their fluid intake.

When talking about risk groups, which include people at greatest risk of developing dehydration, mention should be made of a separate category that is not limited to any age. We are talking about athletes whose body also needs regular fluid replenishment., especially after intense training and competition.

MAIN CAUSES OF BODY DEHYDRATION

When they talk about the causes of dehydration, they first of all mean the most obvious and common causes, from which none of us are immune. First of all, we are talking about insufficient fluid intake during the day. Other common causes that cause rapid dehydration of the body are severe vomiting and diarrhea. The third common cause of dehydration is excessive sweating.

You need to know that every day fluid is naturally removed from our body, the amount of which is not always the same. This amount may depend on the ambient temperature, humidity, our state of health, our physical activity, and so on and so forth. The amount of liquid that scientists consider necessary for daily consumption by an adult, as mentioned above, is approximately 2.5 liters per day. But this figure may change - increase or decrease - depending on a combination of the above factors. Be that as it may, every person should know that dehydration can be prevented by regular daily intake of sufficient fluid for the body.

SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATION

The most important and earliest symptom indicating the development of the process of dehydration of the body is a feeling of thirst. If adults are able to take care of themselves when they feel very thirsty, then very young children cannot declare their condition. Young parents should keep in mind that severe anxiety in children is often explained by the beginning processes of dehydration. However, severe dehydration, on the contrary, can lead to weakness and apathy, which can manifest itself even in the absence of the desire to drink.

In children, symptoms of dehydration appear at an alarming rate. Literally in the very early stages of dehydration, children may experience dry and even cracked lips; Children may experience severe dry mouth and appear restless. Also, one of the signs of dehydration in children is blurred vision. Alarming symptoms of dehydration in infants can include a very weak pulse, rapid and weak breathing, and slight bluish skin that becomes extremely sensitive to touch.

A very effective method for diagnosing dehydration in children is the following: just gently pull the child’s skin in the abdominal area and notice how quickly its normal color is restored after you remove your finger. If everything is in order with the fluid content in the body, the skin will almost immediately acquire a natural shade. If this process took a relatively long time, then this may be a signal indicating the development of dehydration processes in the child’s body.

Symptoms of severe dehydration in adults are more pronounced - a person feels very weak, extremely thirsty and may have an elevated body temperature, although the skin remains quite cool to the touch. As a result of a lack of electrolytes in the body (especially sodium and potassium), an adult may experience nausea and even muscle cramps. If you do not replenish the loss of fluid in the body in time, this will soon lead to a decrease in blood pressure. Such a sharp change in pressure caused by dehydration can harm a person’s internal organs, in particular the kidneys and brain.

HOW TO CURE DEHYDRATION

As you already understand, the simplest and most reliable way to cope with dehydration processes at the earliest stage of their development is to consume additional amounts of water or other liquid. In most cases, mild dehydration can be quickly treated with the following simple solution:: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt and eight teaspoons of sugar in a liter of boiled water and drink - this will immediately bring you back to normal! In such a case, experts recommend purchasing a special rehydration salt, which is sold in many pharmacies.

What to do if a person has lost consciousness and is unable to consume water orally, that is, drink? In this case, fluid must be supplied to the body intravenously. Intravenous rehydration is also necessary for prolonged vomiting. In this case, along with the loss of electrolytes, the acid-base balance in the body is also disturbed, which must be restored as soon as possible. There are certain painful conditions in the body that also lead to dehydration. In this case, Symptoms of dehydration cannot always be relieved by oral administration, and there is a need to use intravenous restoration of moisture content. In particular, we are talking about diabetes.

Returning to the conversation about athletes, it should be mentioned that for such people, daily consumption of large amounts of fluid should have an even higher priority than food intake. However, it is not always possible to get by with plain water. That is why people who subject their bodies to regular and intense physical activity in the gym, experts strongly recommend paying attention to special solutions which are sold in pharmacies. The advantages of periodically consuming these solutions over drinking regular water for athletes are that the solutions have a balanced combination of carbohydrates and electrolytes, which are so important to replenish during active training.

WHEN TO CONSULT A DOCTOR

As mentioned above, vomiting and diarrhea in the elderly and infants can very quickly cause dehydration in these two age groups. If a child or elderly person suffers from dehydration, It’s better, without delaying the decision, to call a doctor. When it comes to adults, deciding whether to seek medical help or not depends on assessing the severity of the symptoms. If, when dehydrated, a person's skin becomes cold to the touch, he or she begins to feel dizzy and disoriented in space, cracked lips and low blood pressure, you must immediately seek medical help. If this is not done in a timely manner, then dehydration of the body can cause much more serious health problems.

The best way to cure body dehydration is to prevent this condition

If the information above does not sound convincing enough to realize the importance of preventing dehydration, then you should know that:

-- A person loses approximately 1.2 to 1.5 liters of fluid per day through urination.

-- A person loses about one liter of fluid per day through sweating.

Some fluid is also released through saliva, tears, or bowel movements. This means that the notorious 2.5 liters of fluid per day, the need for which is now so much debated in the media, is nevertheless extremely important for your body. Only in this way can you reliably protect your body from the consequences of dehydration. People who regularly suffer from vomiting and diarrhea (pregnant women, etc.), as well as those who suffer from diabetes, can only be advised to make every effort to take control of all symptoms, which can quickly lead to dehydration. .

Dehydration of the body (dehydration) is understood as an insufficient content of fluid and important salts, which negatively affects the functioning of organs and systems in the body.

The average adult needs to consume almost 3 liters of fluid per day through drinking and eating (such as fruits and vegetables), but in hot weather the requirement increases.

• lubricates joints and eyes;
• helps digestion;
• eliminates waste and toxins;
• keeps skin healthy.

The body has very complex mechanisms for controlling and regulating fluid, but the elderly population, children (especially newborns) and some specific cases (for example, patients undergoing diuretic therapy) often need to drink more fluids than when simply thirsty.

The first complications can occur with even small fluid losses, so if you think you are dehydrated, it is obvious that you need to drink, but it is recommended to do this gradually to avoid overloading the stomach and the risk of episodes of vomiting. Later in the article we will tell you everything you need to know about dehydration.

Causes and risk factors

The following factors lead to dehydration:

• : prevents the absorption of water in the gastrointestinal tract, including from products that contain it;
• vomiting caused by or alcohol;
• intense: a consequence of physical activity or occurring during colds;
• diabetes: some groups of drugs act as diuretics to normalize levels;
• Frequent urination: can be either a feature of the body or a consequence of a disease, taking antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, antipsychotic drugs.

Although anyone can experience dehydration, older adults are at greater risk.

Elderly people are susceptible to dehydration due to the fact that the feeling of thirst weakens with age; a person may simply not understand what he wants to drink or forget if there are neurodegenerative disorders, etc.)

People who constantly undergo physical activity are also susceptible to dehydration. For example, athletes are more likely to become dehydrated. People involved in mountain climbing, marathon runners, triathlon or cycling participants, and basketball players are at risk.

Symptoms and complications

In adults, dehydration can be recognized by the following general signs:

• intense thirst and;
• drowsiness, previously uncharacteristic fatigue, dizziness;
• scanty amount of urine;
• the color of the urine will become dark dark yellow;
• muscle spasms.

Signs of dehydration in the severe stage are accompanied by:

• confusion;
• drop in blood pressure;
• heart rate increases ();
• begins to feel feverish;
• urination almost stops;
• pulse becomes weak;
• the skin and mucous membranes become bluish in color;
• the person loses consciousness.

Important! If symptoms such as vomiting, fever, diarrhea, or difficulty swallowing (even liquid cannot be “pushed” into the esophagus) appear, an adult should seek medical help as soon as possible.

In a child, the problem manifests itself slightly differently; children are susceptible to the following symptoms:

• scant discharge (the baby has almost dry diapers);
• scanty lacrimation;
• drowsiness (the child constantly wants to sleep);
• the skin and mucous membranes become dry;
• breathing quickens.

Dehydration is extremely dangerous for a child. Children must be supervised at all times.

Important! For an infant, dehydration can be fatal; you need to carefully monitor whether the baby is getting enough fluid.

Complications

With a lack of water and dehydration, 95% of neurodegenerative and vascular diseases occur, here are the most common:

• and Alzheimer's;
• corticobasal degeneration;
• dementia;
• vein thrombosis;
• thrombophlebitis.

Lack of water provokes the death of nerve cells; the central part of the nervous system (the organ of thinking) cannot work adequately without water.

In general, the human brain weighs approximately 1.5 to 2 kilograms; with a total weight of 50 kilograms, the thinking organ takes 25% of the fluids entering the body. The central part of the nervous system performs the most difficult work every day; this organ must be constantly cleansed.

Diagnostics

A doctor can diagnose dehydration based on physical symptoms, such as:

• deficiency or absence of urine;
• sunken eyes;
• lack of elasticity and skin tone.

If a person is dehydrated, it is possible:

• there will also be low blood pressure, especially when the person stands up;
• your heart will beat faster than usual;
• problems with blood circulation in the extremities will begin.

To confirm the diagnosis and determine the degree of dehydration, additional tests may be prescribed, for example:

• Blood analysis: This test can be used to monitor various factors, such as electrolyte levels (especially sodium and potassium) and kidney function.
• : used to determine the degree of dehydration.

If the dehydration condition cannot be diagnosed with certainty, the doctor may order further tests to rule out diabetes or kidney problems.

Treatment of dehydration

The only effective therapy for dehydration is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes; The choice of treatment approach depends on the patient's age, severity of dehydration, and cause.

Therapy for children

A pediatrician can tell you specifically how to treat dehydration in a child, but among the general rules we can list the following:

• Use oral rehydration solution. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, use rehydration solution for newborns and young children who are vomiting or have a fever. These solutions contain water and salts in well-defined proportions and are used to replenish both fluids and lost electrolytes; they are also easy to digest. Oral rehydration solutions are sold in pharmacies. Start administering them early in the disease and don't wait for an emergency to arrive. In case of an emergency, if a ready-made rehydration solution is not available, you can directly make one using:
  • half a teaspoon of salt,
  • six teaspoons of sugar,
  • one liter of drinking water.

Measure and check the ingredients carefully because if mixed incorrectly, the solution may be ineffective or even harmful. Regardless of which alternative you choose, be sure to use enough of it. Your doctor will be able to tell you the exact amount, depending on your child's age and degree of dehydration: the rule of thumb is to continue giving fluids slowly until your child's urine clears. If the child vomits, reduce the dose and increase the frequency, such as spoonfuls every few minutes. If your child continues to vomit, wait half an hour or an hour and try again. Liquids should be served at room temperature.

• Continue breastfeeding. If your baby doesn't feel well, don't stop breastfeeding, but give him a rehydration solution in a bottle in addition to milk. If you use powdered milk instead, switch to a lactose-free product until the diarrhea goes away: if you have diarrhea, lactose can be difficult to digest and can make it worse. Never dilute milk powder more than recommended in the instructions. In some cases, your doctor may suggest replacing the artificial milk with a rehydration solution for no more than 12 to 24 hours.
• Avoid certain foods and drinks. The best drink for a child who is not feeling well is this rehydration solutions: Natural water does not provide the required amount of electrolytes, while isotonic drinks rich in electrolytes only replenish those lost through sweating, and not as a result of diarrhea or vomiting. Avoid giving your child milk, soda, caffeinated drinks, fruit juices, or smoothies, which may make dehydration symptoms worse instead of relieving them.

Therapy for adults

Most adults who suffer from mild to moderate dehydration caused by diarrhea, vomiting or fever can reverse symptoms by drinking more water. Water is the best therapy because other liquids, such as fruit juices, soda or coffee, can make diarrhea worse.

Therapy for athletes

If you become dehydrated due to physical activity, you need to focus on drinking fresh water. Isotonic drinks, which contain electrolytes and saline solutions, may also be helpful. However, there is no need to resort to sports drinks/supplements: too much salt in them can cause hypernatremic dehydration, that is, dehydration accompanied by excess sodium.

Severe dehydration therapy

Children and severely dehydrated adults should be evaluated by a medical professional or emergency department and have fluids given intravenously rather than by mouth. Intravenous hydration allows the body to absorb water and nutrients more quickly than simple oral solutions and is therefore extremely important in the event of serious emergencies.

Prevention

To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids and consume water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables. Most healthy people can simply follow the stimulus of thirst and get all the fluids they need not only from pure water, but also from other drinks and foods. If you exercise, don't wait until you're thirsty to replenish lost fluids.

In certain circumstances, it is important to take more fluids than usual:

• Disease. At the first symptoms, start drinking or giving more water or rehydration solution without waiting for dehydration to occur. Don't be fooled by sodas, which are good but may contain too much sugar and too little sodium to replenish lost electrolytes.
• Physical exercise. In general, it is recommended to start hydrating the day before physical activity. Producing clearer urine is a sign of excellent hydration. Drink one to three glasses of water before training. Replenish fluids regularly during the activity and continue to drink (water or other liquids) even after the effort ends. Remember, however, that drinking too much alcohol not only makes you feel bloated and uncomfortable, but can also lead to a potentially fatal disorder in which your blood sodium levels drop too much (hyponatremia). Hyponatremia occurs when a person drinks more fluid than is lost through sweating.
• Environmental conditions. In hot or humid environments, you need to drink more to lower your body temperature and replace fluid lost through sweating. Even in cold climates, you may need to drink more if you sweat a lot and wear insulating clothing. Polluted or warm air can cause moisture loss, increasing daily fluid requirements; Living and working at altitudes above 2500 m can also affect the body's need for fluids. If dehydration occurs while exercising outdoors in the heat, seek shade, lie down, and drink water or a sports drink. Coaches should advise young athletes to report any symptoms of dehydration.

How much water should you drink?

Many studies have attempted to establish the amount of fluid that should be taken daily, however this can be very variable depending on many factors such as:

• age,
• climate,
• physical activity.

A good rule of thumb is to drink enough water to stay thirsty and increase your fluid intake during hotter months and when you are physically active.

Light-colored urine is a good indicator of your body's hydration status, and if the color becomes darker, it means you're not drinking enough.

Forecast

In most cases, mild dehydration does not cause serious consequences if the loss of fluid in the body is replenished in time, but some more serious situations can cause dangerous complications: dehydration becomes such that it changes the mechanisms of functioning of the cardiovascular system, this can lead to shock (or “collapse”). ", sudden cardiovascular failure, with loss of consciousness and threat of death) and serious damage to internal organs (heart, brain, kidneys). In these circumstances, prompt treatment is required.

Dehydration and its consequences are the main factors leading to death in the elderly during extreme heat. Additionally, in developing countries, dehydration caused by diarrhea due to infectious diseases is responsible for the deaths of 1.5–2.5 million children per year.

Interesting

Dehydration is a process that occurs due to a large loss of fluid by the body, the volume of which is several times greater than the volume that a person consumes. As a result, the normal functioning of the body is disrupted. It often presents with fever, vomiting, diarrhea and increased sweating. It occurs most often in the hot season or when performing heavy physical activity without taking too much fluid. Every person is susceptible to this disorder, regardless of gender and age, but according to statistics, children, people in the elderly age group, and people suffering from the chronic course of a particular disease are most often predisposed.

Since dehydration causes blood to thicken, rapid replacement of lost fluid can lead to swelling or death. The human body consists largely of water; it is consumed throughout life and cooked with it. The liquid is a good assistant in the elimination of waste waste products and is involved in respiratory function. A person cannot live more than ten days without drinking water.

As a rule, initial and moderate dehydration is easy to correct; you just need to take more fluids. Severe dehydration is more dangerous, so it is necessary to seek professional help as soon as possible or take the victim to a medical facility for immediate treatment. Dehydration is especially dangerous for newborns and children under three years of age, which is why parents often wonder how to determine dehydration. To do this, you just need to monitor the color of the urine and the general condition of the child - in such cases it will be quite difficult to wake him up, there will be no tears while crying, the baby will be constantly restless. At the first signs of dehydration in children, you should immediately call a doctor and begin proper treatment.

Etiology

Dehydration occurs when a person loses a lot of fluid throughout the day, but does not replenish the lost moisture. During the course of such a disorder, the body actually dries out - very often this can be observed with the progression of pathologies with a chronic course and due to a heavy workload, when a person cannot interrupt his work in order to drink. It often occurs during long hiking trips - in such cases it often happens that a group of people cannot get to a source of water, and their liquid supplies are not enough. Thus, the risk group includes:

• newborns or infants - very often exposed to dehydration due to insufficient body weight;
• elderly people – the older a person is, the less the body’s ability to retain water. In addition, due to age, people eat and drink less than young people, and in some cases they even forget to do this. Such factors are further complicated by the fact that people in the older age group have several chronic diseases. Sometimes dehydration can be associated with cessation of menstruation, diabetes mellitus and taking a large number of medications;
• the occurrence of chronic pathologies in the body, including: (these diseases are aggravated by high body temperature, which further contributes to the appearance of dehydration);
• people suffering from alcohol addiction;
• professional athletes - intense physical activity can lead to dehydration not only in hot periods of the year, but also in cold ones. People who participate in marathons are especially at risk;
• people living or working at high altitudes (more than two and a half thousand meters above sea level);
• individuals who are forced to work outdoors in hot and humid weather. In this case, there is a high probability of not only dehydration, but also heat stroke, which can cause complications.

In addition, internal processes of the body can lead to this disorder:

• severe diarrhea and vomiting - diarrhea itself forces the body to give up more water, and if this process is accompanied by vomiting, it is doubly dangerous for a person, since he loses twice as much fluid, nutrients and minerals. This often affects newborns and young children;
• high body temperature - the higher the temperature, the more fluid a person loses;
• high sweating – with intense physical activity and not replenishing water reserves, dehydration develops. But such a disorder can be observed not only in hot and humid weather; it can also develop in the cold season. Children over ten years of age and teenagers are prone to this disorder. This is due to the fact that they themselves cannot understand and detect the first signs of dehydration;
• frequent urination. This can be caused by diabetes, certain medications, or excessive drinking.

Varieties

In the medical field, there is a classification of the disease according to the degree of its progression, so dehydration can be:

• light – when up to two liters of fluid are lost;
• moderate severity – loss of no more than four liters;
• heavy - over four liters;
• complicated – deprivation of more than ten liters of water, which poses a threat to human life.

Based on the effect on salt balance, dehydration of the body is divided into:

• isotonic – balance is within normal limits;
• hypertensive – concentration increased;
• hypotonic – the level of salt balance is reduced.

Symptoms

Depending on the severity of the disorder and age group, the signs of dehydration will differ. Initial degrees will be characterized by:

• thirst and dry mouth;
• increased fatigue;
• constant drowsiness;
• disturbances in the emission of urine. If older children, adolescents and adults do not produce urine for eight hours, it is necessary to replenish fluid reserves and seek advice from a specialist;
• headache;
• difficulties in removing feces;
• dry skin.

Symptoms of dehydration in severe stages are:

• strong need for water;
• the appearance of irritability in adults, and confusion in children;
• increase in heart rate;
• lack of sweat and urine;
• loss of skin elasticity;
• frequent breathing.

Signs of dehydration in a child will include:

• dry mucous membranes;
• lack of tears when crying;
• constant drowsiness and fussiness;
• mood swings;
• change in urine color. In this case, the discharge is accompanied by an unpleasant odor;
• long intervals between urine emissions - for infants it is three hours, and for children under three years old - six;
• retraction of the fontanelle;
• loss of consciousness - but only in very severe cases.

Extreme thirst does not always indicate dehydration. In cases with small children and elderly people, a distinctive feature will be a change in the transparency and color of urine - the darker it is, the stronger the stage of dehydration and the greater the danger to human life.

If at least one sign of dehydration is expressed in an infant or child under three years of age, parents should immediately seek help.

Complications

In cases of untimely consultation with a doctor or late treatment, dehydration causes a number of complications, including:

• Heat injury or life-threatening heatstroke - occurs due to intense exercise, heavy sweating and lack of absorption of any fluid;
• – is expressed due to the intake of large amounts of water after prolonged dehydration. In this case, the human body will not have time to readjust and pump a lot of fluid into the cells, which can cause them to burst;
• attacks of severe convulsions - appears due to an imbalance of electrolytes;
• shock from low blood pressure and lack of oxygen in the body. It is one of the most dangerous consequences of dehydration;
• renal failure and cessation of the filtration function;
• coma;
• death.

Diagnostics

As soon as the first symptoms of dehydration are detected, you must call an ambulance. While one of the relatives or those people who were close to the victim are waiting for the doctors to arrive, they need to prepare complete information about at what time the signs of dehydration were identified and what exactly they were. Regardless of who is injured - an adult or a small child, you need to give the patient liquid, it is best if it is purified water, but always warm; in no case should the person drink juices, compotes or fruit drinks.

It will not be difficult for a doctor to diagnose the disease, because this disorder has its own characteristic signs for each age category - they are especially pronounced in children.

To determine the degree of the disorder, the doctor prescribes additional tests, including:

• – allows you to detect dehydration and its stage;
• – is carried out to check the content of electrolytes in the bloodstream.

In cases where, after these measures, it was not possible to accurately determine the disease, an examination for diabetes mellitus and instrumental diagnostics of organs such as the liver and kidneys are prescribed.

After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment, which will differ for children and adults.

Treatment

Treatment of children and infants consists of taking a medicinal solution, which includes potassium, sodium and other nutrients. Proportions are calculated for each small patient individually. This solution must be given in small portions and warm. The duration of use depends on the change in urine color. If it happens that the child becomes ill, you need to wait about an hour and then repeat the process. At the same time, you can continue to breastfeed your baby.

Older children can be given foods enriched with carbohydrates a few hours after consuming the solution. Such treatment methods are carried out at home for mild disorders. If the degree of dehydration is moderate, treatment is carried out in a clinical setting. The therapy is based on the administration of the same solution, only not orally, but in the form of injections. After this, the baby is sent home, but the next day you need to see the doctor again. In severe stages, the child is treated only in a hospital, and in addition to the solution, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics and medications against vomiting and diarrhea. After discharge from the hospital, you need to call a doctor at home for a few days for an examination.

Treatment of dehydration in adults in the initial stages is carried out independently, but on the recommendation of a specialist. Often you just need to increase your fluid intake and remember to take it on time. But you need to drink only water, preferably at room temperature, and refrain from coffee, tea and sweet carbonated drinks. In severe stages, you need to eat foods rich in carbohydrates. Throughout the treatment, the patient must be constantly monitored by doctors.

Prevention

To prevent dehydration you need to:

• take enough liquid at the first feeling of dry mouth;
• limit the consumption of carbonated drinks, in particular beer;
• during any illness, drink a lot of warm water in order to avoid disturbances in the concentration of electrolytes;
• Before doing physical activity, drink several cups of water, but not juice. Do not forget to replenish the lack of fluid in the body during training or work;
• At the first sign of dehydration in a child, immediately call a doctor.

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