Dehydration of the body in case of poisoning. How to avoid dehydration after poisoning? What are the consequences of lack of water?

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Each of us is made up of approximately 80% liquid.. Blood, most organs, the spinal cord and brain, eyes, and every cell of the body for the most part consist of water, so the lack of this vital fluid inevitably leads to disruption in the work of all processes in the body.

What is dehydration? Dehydration or dehydration is called such an unhealthy state of the body, as a result of which a large loss of fluid occurs in the human body, which is not replenished with the necessary amount of water.

Unfortunately, absolutely no one is immune from dehydration, but the elderly, children, and patients with any chronic diseases are at high risk.

This article will help you understand why dehydration can occur, how it manifests itself, what it leads to, and, most importantly, how to make the best treatment for dehydration at home.

Causes

Why does dehydration happen? Fluid loss can occur as a result of various factors:

Loss of 20-25% of water can be fatal, both in hot weather and in cold weather.

Some doctors consider water only as a medium that dissolves and transports various substances, and they think that any drinks are suitable for replenishing this fluid.

Therefore, to a simple question, what kind of water is more useful to drink, doctors answer: any, and as much as possible. However, this is not the case at all.

Coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, alcoholic drinks, beer contain not only water, but also other components that dehydrate the body. It has been scientifically proven that when they are consumed, the human body does not acquire water, but loses it.

Therefore, with the regular consumption of these drinks, quite imperceptibly, our body comes to a state of dehydration.

Let's take a simple example. Most of us treat colds or fevers with medicated hot tea, but in reality, this drink is more conducive to fluid loss in the body. This happens as a result of sweating.

For better health in this state, it is better to simply drink hot water dissolved with a pinch of rock salt.

Dehydration due to medication

In order for the body to absorb any medication (chemical), it is necessary to spend a certain amount of water, and this leads to even more dehydration.

In addition, at present, a disappointing trend can be traced - approximately 90% of medicines are prescribed and used without reasonable justification (a person is struggling not with the cause of the disease, but with its consequence), which further worsens the state of human health.

Degrees of dehydration:

lung (5-6% of water lost or 1-2 l);
medium (lost 6-10% or 2-4 liters of water);
severe (lost 10% or more than 4 liters of water);
acute dehydration (lost more than 10 liters of water) - this degree of dehydration can be fatal.

Types of dehydration:

isotonic (the composition of salt in the blood is normal);
hypertensive (increased level of blood salts);
hypotonic (low blood salt levels).

How does dehydration manifest itself? Symptoms of this disease can be distinguished, given the severity of its manifestations.

Thus, the symptoms of dehydration are:

In addition to noticeable changes in physical health, dehydration also affects the psychological state of the patient.

Fatigue for no apparent reason. Water is the main source of energy in the body. Food is of no value until all the nutrients it contains have undergone hydrolysis.

Short temper, irritability. Irritability is a kind of maneuver, an attempt by the brain not to do work that requires a lot of energy. Interestingly, if an irritable person drinks a couple of glasses of water, he will calm down much faster.

fears,anxiety. With the help of anxiety, the brain signals a severe lack of water.

Despondency, depression. Dehydration leads to a rapid depletion of amino acids, and this, in turn, can cause not only a bad mood, but even a feeling of despondency.

Depression. Water deficiency inevitably causes dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine deficiencies, which can lead to melancholy and depression.

lethargy. This is a signal that water should be drunk for normal brain function.

restless sleep. If the body is in a state of dehydration, you should not even count on a restful healthy sleep. Full sleep can lead to even more dehydration, since a considerable amount of water is excreted with sweat (during sleep under the covers).

If the body is given water with a small amount of salt, the quality of sleep immediately normalizes.

causeless impatience. The brain has to expend a lot of energy to function properly. In the event that there is clearly not enough energy, the brain usually tries to finish the work as quickly as possible. This trick of the brain is often referred to as “impatience.”

inattention. The more the brain is saturated with water, the more energy it is allowed to spend on the accumulation of information in the memory departments. In the same way, dehydration leads to a lack of attention in children who are addicted to sugary soda.

Shortness of breath that is not due to infection or lung disease. People who love physical education are required to consume the required amount of water.

Strong cravings for drinks such as coffee, tea, alcohol, carbonated drinks. Thus, your brain informs about the need for water.

These often uncontrollable desires are based on a conditioned reflex that links replenishment of water supplies with the consumption of such drinks as we have already said, which, as we have already said, actually lead to much more dehydration.

Dreams about rivers, seas or other bodies of water- this is a form of unconscious expression of the need to quench thirst. The brain specifically creates dreams of this kind to encourage a person to quench their thirst, even during deep sleep.

Dehydration in a child is almost always expressed in a decrease in the activity of the baby. So parents, be careful!

Home Dehydration Test

Complications of dehydration

What threatens dehydration of the human body? Possible complications include:

shock (the skin is pale, breathing has become more frequent, cold sweat appears, the skin becomes sticky, the pulse quickens, then slows down, the person loses consciousness);
kidney damage;
dehydration can be fatal, especially in cases of infectious diseases and weakened immune systems.

Consequences

What does dehydration lead to, both in adults and children? As dehydration increases, with prolonged fluid deficiency, there is a gradual decrease in the volume of fluid inside the cells.

What is the danger of dehydration:

The consequence of severe, prolonged dehydration is the development, or exacerbation, of various immunodeficiency pathologies: chronic bronchitis, asthma, lupus erythematosus.

Multiple sclerosis manifests itself with renewed vigor, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are on the rise. There is a high probability of developing oncological diseases, infertility may appear.

If the person is moderately dehydrated, the patient should be placed on a bed in a fresh, cool room and given water to drink in small sips or through a straw.

Why is it recommended to drink this way? Only in this way it is possible to more effectively achieve the restoration of the desired concentration of fluid in the body.

If it is not possible to place the patient in a room with air conditioning, be sure to put him in the shade. Wrap your body in a damp sheet or pour cool water over it.

It is important to remember that a sharp loss of a large amount of water, or its presence in a negligible amount, greatly increases the feeling of thirst, however, if you start drinking water immoderately, there is a high probability of getting severe swelling, and, in some cases, even death.

What should you drink when you are dehydrated? Prepare this solution: in one liter of warm water, dissolve one teaspoon of sugar, three-fourths of a teaspoon of salt, and half a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Why did you need sugar, salt, juice? It is necessary not only to replenish the loss of water, but also potassium, salts, sodium. Sugar is necessary for better absorption of salt and water.

To restore the water and salt balance, you can use drinks for athletes or special electrolytes purchased at a pharmacy. Frozen water with ice or juice also tone the body well.

Keep a light diet until all symptoms of dehydration are gone.. When dehydration is recommended to eat foods that contain potassium and sodium. These include tomatoes, raisins, green vegetables, nuts, potatoes, bananas, citrus fruits.

Light vegetable broths are very useful. Over time, as the signs of dehydration wear off, drink about two liters of clean water daily.

If your work involves physical labor, or if you have an elevated body temperature, the amount of fluid you absorb should be increased.

It is useful to drink a glass of water immediately after waking up, 30 minutes before a meal and an hour and a half after a meal.. However, you need to drink water slowly, in small sips.

If you drink enough and regularly, your body will register a lack of water at the right time, and you will feel thirsty. But at the same time, do not allow the use of alcohol, coffee, tea and carbonated drinks.

If the warning signs of dehydration persist for a long time, you should consult a doctor.. The specialist can determine the exact cause of dehydration, and if the patient does not drink water due to vomiting, he will restore the balance of water in the body by injecting electrolytes through a vein.

Dehydration - symptoms and what to do

How to get rid of dehydration? It turns out that many fruits contain a large amount of liquid, and therefore they can become excellent defenders of the body from dehydration.

At the first signs of dehydration, try to eat as many juicy fruits and vegetables as possible. According to some studies, such products hydrate the body twice as well as a glass of pure water.

Watery vegetables and fruits contain sugar, minerals, salts and work in a similar way to isotonic drinks consumed by athletes.

Vegetables and fruits that doctors recommend to include in the diet: watermelon, melon, grapefruit, strawberries, cucumbers, grapes, oranges, papaya, spinach, zucchini and tomatoes. They can be eaten as a snack, you can make vegetable or fruit cocktails from them, add them to salads.

Bananas are especially noteworthy.. This is an excellent fruit to use in the treatment of dehydration, because, as mentioned above, along with the loss of water, the body also loses a lot of potassium.

A banana, like no other, is rich in this trace element. It is useful to eat several bananas throughout the day or to prepare smoothies and smoothies from them.

How to prevent dehydration? Here are some effective tips from doctors to protect against dehydration:

For the normal functioning of our body, which is 70% water, it is necessary to constantly monitor its level of hydration. If there is not enough fluid in the body, then the water-salt balance will be disturbed and dehydration will occur. It can be manifested by a slight feeling of thirst, and in severe forms it can be fatal. Dehydration is especially dangerous in hot weather, when the liquid actively evaporates from the body. Our simple homemade recipes and helpful tips will help you protect yourself from dehydration and prevent unpleasant consequences.

Dehydration is a process in which the body loses more fluid than it receives. Every cell in the human body needs oxygen and water to function normally. No one is immune from dehydration, but children, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases are at risk.

The most common causes of dehydration are:

great physical activity in the heat,
diarrhea,
vomit,
increased sweating,
frequent urination.

The symptoms of this disease vary depending on the severity of its manifestation. Signs of mild to moderate dehydration:

dry mouth
headache,
thirst,
rare urination,
dry skin,
fatigue,
muscle spasms,
dizziness,
constipation,
general weakness.

Symptoms of severe or chronic dehydration include:

intense thirst,
confusion,
sunken eyes,
dry skin with loss of elasticity,
virtually no urination
severe dry mouth
rapid breathing,
low Blood Pressure,
cardiopalmus,
fainting or loss of consciousness.

If not treated in time, dehydration can lead to a number of serious health complications. For severe dehydration, you should see a doctor immediately, for moderate dehydration, you can take preventive measures at home. Below we publish useful tips and homemade recipes for the treatment of this disease.

The first and most important rule of thumb for preventing dehydration in hot weather is to increase your fluid intake. Doctors' advice for treating dehydration at its first symptoms also begins with recommendations to increase the water content in the body.

A person needs to drink enough water throughout the day, even if he does not feel thirsty. On average, a healthy man in a temperate climate should consume about three liters of water per day, and a woman about two liters of water per day.

In addition to ordinary water, it is useful to include more broths and soups in the amount of fluid consumed, as a measure to prevent dehydration. With their help, you can replenish the lost minerals and vitamins. They are also effective in the treatment of dehydration. To make the broth or soup even healthier, add zucchini, radishes or celery to it. Chicken and meat broths are considered the most nutritious. In the heat, treat yourself to popsicles that are easy to make yourself. To do this, just pour freshly squeezed juice into an ice tray and put it in the freezer to cool.

In the forefront of dairy foods that are useful in the fight against dehydration, yogurt is one of the most effective remedies for vomiting and diarrhea. This product is a real "spring" of electrolytes. In addition, yogurt is easy to digest and soothes the stomach. Homemade recipes for dehydration often include yogurt dishes. On hot days, it is useful to consume it several times a day and preferably without sweet fillers. It is better to add low-calorie foods such as low-fat cottage cheese or regular boiled rice with a little salt to yogurt.

Buttermilk, or fat-free cream obtained from the production of butter, is another wonderful remedy for dehydration, recognized by the ancient teachings of Ayurveda. Buttermilk is rich in minerals that are lost in the body through excessive sweating. As a dehydration preventive measure, drink this dairy product several times a day, or drink a cup of kefir mixed with dry ginger instead.

When the body is dehydrated, it is very important to quickly restore the lost fluid and minerals. There is one easy way to achieve this with a rehydration solution. You can cook it yourself according to a homemade recipe:

Add half a teaspoon of salt and six teaspoons of sugar to four glasses of water.
Stir the solution thoroughly until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
Drink the resulting solution several times a day until you fully recover from dehydration.
If you do not want to prepare the solution yourself, then you can purchase a similar remedy at a pharmacy.

Equally useful are homemade recipes using barley and water. Such solutions help to quickly return a dehydrated body to a normal state. Nutrients contained in barley replenish minerals lost during dehydration. Here is one of the simple recipes:

Bring water with barley to a boil.
Let the resulting solution cool and then strain it.
Add some honey and lemon juice.

Another easy way to restore a dehydrated body is lemon water. In addition to moisturizing, lemon juice fills the body with energy and gives a charge of vivacity. Making lemon water at home is easy:

For one glass of water, you need to take half a lemon.
Add a teaspoon of honey, half a teaspoon of ground black pepper and a pinch of salt.
Drink the resulting drink should be regularly for one month.

Many fruits contain a considerable amount of liquid, and, therefore, they can become good defenders of the body from dehydration. At the first symptoms of dehydration, try to eat more juicy vegetables and fruits. According to many studies, such foods hydrate the body twice as effectively as a glass of plain water.

Watery fruits and vegetables contain minerals, sugars, salts and work in a similar way to isotonic drinks that athletes drink. Fruits and vegetables that should be included in the diet of every person - watermelon, grapefruit, melon, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, grapes, papaya, zucchini, spinach and tomatoes. Eat them as a snack, make fruit or vegetable smoothies, add them to salads.

Bananas deserve special attention. It is an excellent fruit to treat dehydration, as the body also loses a lot of potassium along with fluid loss. And there is a lot of this trace element in bananas. In addition, this fruit will help restore the performance of tight muscles that do not function well with a lack of water in the body. It is useful to eat two bananas during the day or make smoothies and shakes from them.

Doctors advice to protect against dehydration:

Avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather.
Rest in a cool place.
Carry a bottle of water with you.
In the heat, do not drink soda, sugary drinks and coffee.
Don't drink alcohol.
Do not eat a lot of sweets and sugar.
If you are often in the heat, wear breathable clothing made from organic materials.
When dehydrated, eat juicy fruits and liquid foods.
If you become dehydrated while exercising, drink sports drinks that contain electrolytes.

Adhering to all these rules, you will always feel healthy, cheerful and full of energy!

Dehydration develops in situations where water intake is significantly lower than the amount of moisture that the body produces with sweat, urine, and so on. In this case, it is customary to distinguish several stages of dehydration.

Common, almost no threat

The threat to life and health is very serious

Often results in death

These indicators are typical for any age, including infants.

Dehydration of the body in all cases is characterized not by any one sign, but immediately by a whole “bouquet” of negative symptoms. The assessment of a person's condition is complex and takes into account the circumstances that could provoke the development of this pathology.

The main symptoms of dehydration

The general manifestation of this pathological condition is typical for adults and children. Therefore, the symptoms of dehydration in adults will not differ from the symptoms characteristic of children.

Feeling of intense thirst, dry mouth, throat.

With severe dehydration, symptoms are added to:

The chronic form is characterized by the following symptoms of dehydration in a child or adult:

persistent feeling of thirst;

To the above symptoms, you can separately add signs of dehydration in infants, characteristic of this age:

urinary retention for more than 7 hours;

Causes of dehydration in adults and children

There are many reasons for the development of any degree of dehydration. And depending on the root cause, dehydration is usually divided into subspecies. Most of the causes are characteristic of any age.

What causes dehydration in the body?

Insufficient consumption of clean water during the day.

Mortality from dehydration and "risk groups"

In modern and developed countries, death from dehydration is an infrequent phenomenon. However, due to a number of reasons, a threat to life may arise. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of infants and children under adolescence. Their metabolic processes are faster, and the newborn child is unable to tell about his condition.

An acute form of dehydration can lead to a critical condition in a matter of hours. But gradually increasing dehydration in children and adults can also cause death. Complete depletion of the child's body, due to the accelerated metabolic process, occurs after 4-5 days. Dehydration in an adult can lead to death in about 10 days.

residents of southern, including African, countries, mountain dwellers;

What to do about dehydration? Treatment for dehydration

If you can determine dehydration, you can not leave this condition unattended. It is necessary, depending on the state of health, to apply a number of measures that will help eliminate the pathological condition, preventing the harmful effects of dehydration on the body.

In a situation of more severe dehydration, in addition to drinking plenty of water, the following measures may be required:

thorough ventilation of the room, turning on fans or air conditioning;

To stabilize the amount of salts in the body with significant dehydration in a child or adult, it is required to add Regidron, Electrolyte, or another agent that helps with dehydration to ordinary water. You can make a "saline solution" by adding three-quarters of a teaspoon of salt to lukewarm water.

Consequences of dehydration and prevention

Serious damage to the body can cause not only acute dehydration, but also chronic dehydration.

the development of mental illnesses that are not amenable to subsequent correction;

Preventive measures that would unconditionally help prevent the risk of dehydration come down to:

control over their general physical condition;

Although dehydration is an unpleasant condition that entails consequences in a situation of failure to provide timely assistance, it can be prevented. Without ignoring the body's needs for water and rest, it is not difficult to minimize the risk of developing this pathological condition.

Dehydration: Symptoms and Treatment

Dehydration or dehydration is the lack of fluid in the body. This condition has a pronounced negative impact on the work of all organs and systems. The immediate cause of dehydration is when the body receives less water than it loses.

Causes of dehydration

The most common causes of dehydration include:

excessive sweating;
heatstroke;
profuse diuresis (increased separation of urine, for example, while taking diuretics);
diabetes and diabetes insipidus;
Addison's disease;
acute diarrhea;
severe vomiting;
low fluid intake (possibly against the background of severe nausea or loss of appetite).

Note: dehydration and body temperature are often linked. With hyperthermia against the background of a number of diseases, the loss of water by the body increases somewhat.

Symptoms of dehydration

Dehydration normally stimulates the thirst center in the brain, so the person begins to drink more.

Note: an important sign of dehydration in adults is fatigue.

If the required amount of fluid is not supplied, then a more severe degree of dehydration occurs. This reduces diuresis and reduces the level of sweating. To partially compensate for the lack of water in the blood, the body "takes" water from the cells. At the next stage, the cells "shrink" and their functional activity is impaired. The most sensitive to dehydration are brain cells, so one of the most important signs of severe dehydration is confusion. It is also possible the development of coma.

Important signs of dehydration:

feeling of thirst;
decrease in sweating;
decrease in the volume of urine output;
change in the color of urine (to dark yellow);
the appearance of dark circles under the eyes;
headache;
general weakness;
decreased skin turgor (insufficient elasticity);
disturbances of consciousness;
lowering blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension);
weight loss (not always);
increased body temperature (more typical for dehydration in children).

Important: dehydration in children is always manifested by a decrease in the activity of the baby.

Water shortage requires timely and adequate compensation. With a lack of fluid in the human blood, the level of sodium increases significantly, which negatively affects the functioning of the body.

Consequences of dehydration

Dehydration, especially due to severe vomiting and/or diarrhea, causes important electrolytes to be lost in the water. Their lack causes a violation of the movement of water from the intracellular space into the bloodstream. As a result, the volume of water in the bloodstream decreases even more.

With a critical loss of fluid (as well as the loss of potassium and sodium ions), blood pressure drops to dangerous numbers. The most severe complication in this case is shock and parallel damage to the cells of the central nervous system, liver and kidneys.

Signs of the development of a shock state are:

Frequent dehydration in some cases can cause the appearance of immunodeficiency states, as well as provoke the development of neurological pathologies (multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease), systemic autoimmune pathologies (lupus, asthma, and even malignant tumors).

What can the victim himself do with dehydration?

First of all, you need to drink as much liquid as possible. It is better if it is pure water or special pharmacy solutions for rehydration. To restore the normal level of electrolytes will help, in particular, the drug Regidron.

Do not consume alcoholic beverages (such as beer). Their diuretic properties will only exacerbate dehydration.

What can others do to treat dehydration?

If signs of dehydration appear in a baby or a child under 10 years old, you need to urgently call an ambulance team. To compensate for the lack of fluid, intravenous infusions of drugs may be required.

If an adult has a sharp decrease in blood pressure and there is impaired consciousness, an ambulance should also be called, since patients need to take a set of anti-shock measures. Severe dehydration always requires intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement.

Prevention of dehydration

The human body is on average 70% water. Therefore, the lack of this vital compound and electrolytes dissolved in it quickly disrupts the functional activity of a number of organs and systems.

Dehydration is one of the pathological conditions that are much easier to prevent than to subsequently eliminate.

It is necessary to observe the drinking regime during the day, that is, to consume a certain amount of liquid, regardless of physical activity, ambient temperature and general well-being.

Important: for an adult, the rate of water consumption at a high ambient temperature and against the background of physical activity is 1 liter per hour!

It is especially important to ensure that an adequate amount of water is consumed by the child. Infants are at risk for dehydration (especially if diarrhea and vomiting develop).

Symptoms of dehydration in children under one year old

note: In hot weather, an active child should drink at least 150 ml of water per half hour.

You also need to carefully monitor the drinking regimen of elderly and senile relatives - they can develop dehydration very quickly due to the age characteristics of the body.

In acute diseases, especially those associated with an increase in body temperature, fluids should be drunk 1.5-2 times more than usual.

For more information on the symptoms, prevention and treatment of dehydration, you can watch the video review:

Yuliya Viktorova, medical columnist

Unfortunately, absolutely no one is immune from dehydration, but the elderly, children, and patients with any chronic diseases are at high risk.

This article will help you understand why dehydration can occur, how it manifests itself, what it leads to, and, most importantly, how to make the best treatment for dehydration at home.

Why does dehydration happen? Fluid loss can occur as a result of various factors:

severely elevated body temperature;
excess sugar;
intoxication as a result of chemical poisoning;
with an intestinal infection with an acute form of vomiting;
with diarrhea;
blood loss due to injuries, injuries or female diseases;
heat or sunstroke;
profuse sweating (associated with intense training, increased physical activity or hot weather);
lack of food or drink;
increased urine production (polyuria);
alcohol abuse (morning headache is a symptom of dehydration);
burns.

Loss of 20-25% of water can be fatal, both in hot weather and in cold weather.

For better health in this state, it is better to simply drink hot water dissolved with a pinch of rock salt.

Degrees and types of dehydration

dry mouth;

thirst;

infrequent urination;

headache;

confusion of consciousness, the development of coma is not excluded;

fatigue;

dizziness;

constipation;

dryness, redness of the skin with loss of its elasticity;

rapid breathing;

sunken eyes;

low blood pressure;

cardiopalmus;

slowing down body movements;

fainting, loss of consciousness;

lack of a healthy appetite;

drowsiness;

increased heart rate;

vomiting, nausea;

increased body temperature;

gastrointestinal disorders;

tingling in the limbs;

shortness of breath;

increase in blood viscosity, decrease in its volume;

dry eyes;

lack of salivation;

cyanosis of the skin;

muscle spasms;

swelling of the tongue;

slurred speech;

inability to swallow;

blurred vision and hearing.

In addition to noticeable changes in physical health, dehydration also affects the psychological state of the patient.

Fatigue for no apparent reason. Water is the main source of energy in the body. Food is of no value until all the nutrients it contains have undergone hydrolysis.

fears, anxiety. With the help of anxiety, the brain signals a severe lack of water.

Despondency, depression. Dehydration leads to a rapid depletion of amino acids, and this, in turn, can cause not only a bad mood, but even a feeling of despondency.

Depression. Water deficiency inevitably causes dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine deficiencies, which can lead to melancholy and depression.

lethargy. This is a signal that water should be drunk for normal brain function.

Shortness of breath that is not due to infection or lung disease. People who love physical education are required to consume the required amount of water.

Strong cravings for drinks such as coffee, tea, alcohol, carbonated drinks. Thus, your brain informs about the need for water.

Dehydration in a child is almost always expressed in a decrease in the activity of the baby. So parents, be careful!

Complications of dehydration

What threatens dehydration of the human body? Possible complications include:

kidney damage;

What does dehydration lead to, both in adults and children? As dehydration increases, with prolonged fluid deficiency, there is a gradual decrease in the volume of fluid inside the cells.

What is the danger of dehydration:

violation of the normal functioning of the digestive system and the transport of essential nutrients;

a marked increase in blood pressure;

the immune system is weakened, and, as a result, there is a high risk of developing various diseases;

accelerated premature aging in adults;

stop the elimination of toxins;

impaired liver and kidney function;

the cartilaginous tissues of the patient's body are intensively destroyed.

What to do when dehydrated

If the person is moderately dehydrated, the patient should be placed on a bed in a fresh, cool room and given water to drink in small sips or through a straw.

Why is it recommended to drink this way? Only in this way it is possible to more effectively achieve the restoration of the desired concentration of fluid in the body.

If it is not possible to place the patient in a room with air conditioning, be sure to put him in the shade. Wrap your body in a damp sheet or pour cool water over it.

Why did you need sugar, salt, juice? It is necessary not only to replenish the loss of water, but also potassium, salts, sodium. Sugar is necessary for better absorption of salt and water.

To restore the water and salt balance, you can use drinks for athletes or special electrolytes purchased at a pharmacy. Frozen water with ice or juice also tone the body well.

Light vegetable broths are very useful. Over time, as the signs of dehydration wear off, drink about two liters of clean water daily.

If your work involves physical labor, or if you have an elevated body temperature, the amount of fluid you absorb should be increased.

It is useful to drink a glass of water immediately after waking up, 30 minutes before a meal and an hour and a half after a meal.. However, you need to drink water slowly, in small sips.

Dehydration - symptoms and what to do

The role of fruits in the treatment of dehydration

How to get rid of dehydration? It turns out that many fruits contain a large amount of liquid, and therefore they can become excellent defenders of the body from dehydration.

At the first signs of dehydration, try to eat as many juicy fruits and vegetables as possible. According to some studies, such products hydrate the body twice as well as a glass of pure water.

Watery vegetables and fruits contain sugar, minerals, salts and work in a similar way to isotonic drinks consumed by athletes.

A banana, like no other, is rich in this trace element. It is useful to eat several bananas throughout the day or to prepare smoothies and smoothies from them.

How to prevent dehydration? Here are some effective tips from doctors to protect against dehydration:

avoid physical activity in hot weather;

take time to relax in the cool;

carry a bottle of water in your bag;

do not abuse alcohol;

do not eat a lot of sugar and sweets;

wear only breathable clothing made from natural fabrics;

when exercising, consume special drinks that contain electrolytes.

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Dehydration - treatment

When the human body does not get enough fluid or loses it due to various factors (diarrhea, vomiting, overheating of the body, etc.), dehydration of the body (dehydration) occurs. Progressing, this pathological condition can lead to irreparable health consequences and even death. What exactly are the complications of dehydration, and what measures should be taken if symptoms of dehydration occur, we will consider further.

Consequences of dehydration

As dehydration progresses, the volume of intracellular fluid first decreases in the body, then intercellular fluid, and then water is extracted from the blood.

Dehydration leads to violations of all functions of food processing, its synthesis, the delivery of vital substances, and the removal of toxins. Cells of the immune system are especially affected by dehydration, as a result of disruption of which immunodeficiency diseases develop (asthma, bronchitis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, infertility).

Other adverse outcomes of dehydration are:

digestive disorders;

increased blood pressure;

narrowing of the airways;

failure of acid-base balance;

disruption of the kidneys, liver, bladder;

increased cartilage abrasion;

premature aging etc.

What to do with dehydration?

The main measures for the treatment of dehydration of the body are associated with the speedy replenishment of fluid losses and the normalization of water and electrolyte balance. This takes into account the factors due to which dehydration developed, as well as the severity of the pathological condition.

In most cases, mild dehydration in adults resolves after drinking enough water.

The required amount of water per day is 1.5 - 2 liters. It is best to use non-carbonated mineral water in small portions, as well as compotes and fruit drinks.

With an average degree of dehydration, oral rehydration therapy is used - the intake of saline rehydration solutions. They are a balanced mixture of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate and glucose (Rehydron, Hydrovit).

In addition, with dehydration of the body, similar drugs you can cook it yourself according to the following recipes:

In a liter of water, dissolve 0.5 - 1 teaspoon of table salt, 2 - 4 tablespoons of sugar, 0.5 teaspoon of baking soda.

In a glass of orange juice, add 0.5 teaspoon of table salt and a teaspoon of soda, bring the volume of the solution to 1 liter.

Severe dehydration requires intravenous infusion of rehydration solutions in a hospital setting. The disease that caused dehydration is also treated.

What to do with food poisoning? First aid and folk remedies

Food poisoning is a condition that requires the earliest possible approach to the start of treatment: after all, it will depend on whether toxins have time to be absorbed into the bloodstream and begin their negative impact on the body.

That is why it is so important to react to the disease in time and recognize food poisoning in it. Treatment at home is possible when the first symptoms appear, but if it is already out of control and threatens a person’s life, you need to urgently go to the hospital or call an ambulance.

With the health of young children who have not yet turned three years old, as well as women during pregnancy, it is especially impossible to take time. After all, some still cannot really tell what worries them, while the latter risk infecting the fetus developing in their womb with toxins. Both those and others are quite weak in terms of immunity, antibiotics are not recommended for them, and the development of stages of intoxication, while both the child and the expectant mother can pass extremely quickly.

Usually this diagnosis is characterized by the following symptoms:

nausea,

abdominal cramps and intestinal colic,

stool disorder in the form of diarrhea,

vomiting,

an increase in body temperature,

dehydration of the body

drop in blood pressure,

dysfunction of the central nervous system, fainting, and in the most severe cases - coma.

General principles for the treatment of food poisoning

In case of mild food poisoning malaise lasts from two hours to two days, however, there are more severe forms. If you are in doubt about what to do with food poisoning, remember: the treatment of any form of poisoning at home should be based on certain directions:

Elimination of intoxication and the process of removing toxins from the body.
Prevention of dehydration (if symptoms include vomiting or diarrhea).
Restoration of intestinal microflora.
Restoration of the activity of the digestive system through diet.

Cleansing the stomach by eliminating intoxication and removing toxins

The first step and, accordingly, the first aid in the treatment of any poisoning is gastric lavage. This will remove harmful toxins from the body that have entered the stomach with poor-quality food.

How to wash the stomach? Best suited for this potassium permanganate (aka potassium permanganate). We make a weak solution of potassium permanganate (we focus on color - it should be pale pink). You should get 1.5-2 liters of liquid. Next, we try to drink it, thereby provoking vomiting. If potassium permanganate is not at hand, water diluted with sea salt or baking soda is quite suitable.

Even if poisoning is already accompanied by vomiting, this is not enough to fully cleanse the body, so you will have to induce vomiting artificially by inserting two fingers into your mouth and pressing them firmly on the root of the tongue. For the best effect, this procedure is carried out two or three times until the stomach begins to remove clean water (solution).

If you do not feel sick and there is no urge to vomit, most likely the spoiled product has already managed to leave the stomach and move into the intestines. There is no point in artificial vomiting in this case.

Often, the body, in order to protect itself, causes diarrhea in itself as the best means of eliminating harmful toxins that have entered the digestive tract in terms of speed and efficiency. If there is no diarrhea, then it must be provoked. Deal with it enema or laxatives(if they are in your first aid kit). In this case, it is better not to use folk laxatives: they can worsen a person’s health in case of food poisoning.

The use of sorbents

Sorbents are called medicines that also remove toxins from the stomach. Potassium permanganate and an enema may not be able to cope with all bacteria, and after sorbents you can be sure of a high-quality cleansing of the stomach.

The simplest and most famous of them - Activated carbon. We take it according to the following instructions: 1 tablet of coal for every 10 kg of human weight. Those. if a poisoned man weighs 105 kg, he will need 10-11 tablets at a time. They can be chewed or diluted in a small amount of water and drunk.

Other medicinal preparations-sorbents: smecta, enterosgel, polysorb, sorbogel and so on.

Prevention of dehydration (replacement of lost fluid)

With diarrhea and vomiting, the body not only removes toxins, but also loses a lot of fluid, the volume of which must be replenished. It is from dehydration that a person can die if vomiting and diarrhea continue for more than 24 hours (3-6 hours may be enough for a child).

Therefore, even if you have information about what exactly to drink with food poisoning, remember: after each trip to the toilet or an attack of vomiting, it is imperative to take 100-200 grams of liquid. And in order not to provoke a new attack of vomiting, you need to drink in small sips. Suitable drinks are:

still mineral water,
boiled water,
glucose-salt solution (we use the Regidron powder preparation or prepare it ourselves: add 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 liter of boiled water).

Restoration of intestinal microflora

This is exactly the stage that is often neglected at home. They felt better after the poisoning, got rid of unpleasant symptoms, and that's it - they forgot about their health. However, not everyone knows that after food poisoning, there is almost always a violation of the normal biocenosis (microflora) of the intestine.

Therefore, at the stage of recovery in hospitals, patients are prescribed drugs containing probiotics or prebiotics (beneficial bacteria or their constituent components). Among them, the most famous drugs are such as bifidumbacterin, bifiform, linex, enterogermina, yogulact, bionorm and others. These are useful drugs that are sold in any pharmacy for free access, i.e. without a doctor's prescription.

Compliance with hunger and diet

Of course, at the peak of symptoms, you should completely refrain from eating food. This is not difficult to do: after all, most often there is no appetite for food poisoning. Because the gastrointestinal tract is not functioning properly, the first day of the disease should starve(don't forget to drink!)

The next few days after poisoning need to diet, which without fail excludes spicy, heavy and fatty foods, dairy products, alcohol from the diet. What can you eat with food poisoning? Perfect fit

boiled rice, buckwheat, potatoes;
biscuit cookies, crackers;
bananas and baked apples;
lean boiled or steamed meat in minced form.

In this case, the nutrition of the patient should be fractional, in small portions.

Special cases in food poisoning

There are situations when food poisoning cannot be treated at home due to the risk to life. Here they are:

poisoning in a child under 3 years old;
poisoning in pregnant women and in the elderly;
poisoning with mushrooms or poisonous plants;
poisoning accompanied by:
- diarrhea more than 9-12 times a day;
- diarrhea with an admixture of blood;
- high (above 38 degrees) temperature, which persists for more than a day of illness;
- incessant vomiting;
- severe increasing weakness or fainting;
poisoning, in which the symptoms only worsen on the 2-3rd day of the disease.

What to do with food poisoning with a temperature? If its indicator does not reach high numbers, but a person does not tolerate any elevated temperature, you can take one tablet of ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Folk remedies for food poisoning

As already mentioned, the treatment of food poisoning with folk methods is possible only with its mild course and, if possible, after consultation with a physician.

Cinnamon is quite good natural antispasmodic and sorbent. We take 0.5 tsp. tablespoons ground cinnamon, pour it with 1 cup boiling water and mix. Strain after 15 minutes.

We take a liter of infusion in small sips in a warm state throughout the day.

1 cup of ginger tea after a meal for lunch or dinner can relieve nausea. For its preparation we take 1 tsp. a spoonful of grated ginger, pour it with 1 glass of hot water (but not boiling water), let it brew for 3-5 minutes, then add sugar to your liking.

3. Dill decoction with honey.

dill itself quickly removes toxins from the body and facilitates vomiting. Honey also retains potassium, which is abundantly lost during vomiting and diarrhea.

We take 1 tea. a spoonful of dill seeds, pour it with 1.5 cups of boiling water and leave for 2-3 minutes.

Then we boil this infusion on fire for 2 minutes, filter and dissolve 1 teaspoon in it. a spoonful of honey We take a liter of broth during the day.

This fruit has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Its natural acid helps kill bacteria that lead to food poisoning.

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon, add 1 teaspoon to it. a spoonful of sugar and drink this drink 2-3 times a day. You can also mix warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice in a ratio of 1:5.

Attention: this method is contraindicated in patients with gastritis of the stomach with high acidity and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

5. Decoction of wormwood and yarrow.

These herbs help cleansing the body of toxins. Berm 1 tsp. a spoonful of wormwood and 1 tsp. a spoonful of dried yarrow, mix them with 0.5 liters. boiling water, insist 15 minutes.

We filter the broth and use the resulting volume inside in 5 doses during the day.

Bananas are an ideal source of potassium to help reduce the symptoms of food poisoning. In addition, they are very soft and easily tolerated by the stomach. One banana eaten per day is enough to restore the energy level of an adult. However, you need to eat only ripe bananas.

They relieve inflammation of the stomach after all manifestations of food poisoning. We take 1 table. a spoonful of crushed or ground cumin seeds, swallow them with 1 glass of water.

It has antibacterial and antifungal activity, naturally relieves indigestion. It can be consumed in its pure form, dissolving, or added to water or tea. Enough 1 tsp. spoon three times a day.

So, depending on how long the symptoms of food poisoning last, how serious the patient's condition is, what is his age, and you need to determine whether there is a need for treatment in hospitals or home care can be dispensed with.

It is absolutely easy to cure mild food poisoning at home - it is enough to follow the basic directions of treating the patient. However, it is best to prevent even the possibility of food poisoning by adhering to preventive measures.

And here are the main ones:

proper heat treatment of food (especially meat and fish);
compliance with storage standards and shelf life of products, as well as checking the integrity of their packaging;
separate storage (ideally on different shelves) in the refrigerator of raw and prepared meat or fish products;
refusal to use untested mushrooms and plants;
boiling homemade milk or water from decentralized sources;
thorough and high-quality washing of dishes, fruits, vegetables, etc.;
inadmissibility in the kitchen of insects and animals (flies, cockroaches, etc.);
personal hygiene.

Video: Elena Malysheva about food poisoning

Regidron - indications: help with dehydration

Regidron is used when the body loses a large amount of fluid. Together with the liquid, salts are lost, and the liquid and salts ensure the normal functioning of the cells of all organs and tissues. It is precisely for this reason that all conditions associated with fluid loss are so dangerous.

What is dehydration and its symptoms

Dehydration of the body or exsicosis is a decrease in the total water content in the body when its loss exceeds intake and formation. Both excessive excretion of water and a lack of its intake into the body can lead to exicosis.

The body can warm water through the intestines (with diarrhea, the action of laxatives, and so on), the stomach (with vomiting), kidneys (abundant urination in diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus - a formidable and incurable disease, ten diuretics, and so on) skin (enhanced sweating), lungs (in conditions of dry air), with blood loss or with the expiration of wound contents with extensive burns and wounds.

Exsicosis is a threatening condition in which many physiological functions are deeply disturbed. Together with the liquid, sodium is also excreted, which leads to thickening and increased blood viscosity, lowering blood pressure Blood pressure - are its fluctuations dangerous? and a sharp increase in the risk of collapse. At the same time, peripheral blood vessels narrow, which leads to impaired renal function and the development of acidosis - a shift in the acid-base balance of the body towards increased acidity. But the brain suffers especially - there are disorders of the nervous system - convulsions and coma.

How to help a person with dehydration

You can help such a person on your own only with the initial degree of dehydration, when severe dryness of the skin and mucous membranes appears. In severe dehydration, adequate care can only be provided in a hospital setting. But you need to know that if dehydration occurs against the background of an intestinal infection, its elimination alone will not be enough - such a patient needs complex treatment with the use of antibacterial drugs.

To relieve dehydration at home, the drug rehydron, which is available in powder form in sachets, is suitable. The composition of the powder includes minerals that restore the water-salt, acid-base and energy balance of the body - sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate and glucose anhydride Glucose: a source of energy.

The contents of the sachet are diluted with a liter of boiled water and drunk quite a bit, since the loss of fluid (especially if it is against the background of an intestinal infection) is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. To keep the solution of rehydron in the gastrointestinal tract, Regidron will help restore the water-salt balance, it is better to take it in small sips every few minutes. Children are given a solution in a teaspoon.

As a result, potassium chloride restores water-salt metabolism in cells, and sodium chloride - in the intercellular space. The balance between potassium and sodium contributes to the normalization of osmotic pressure in tissues. Acidosis is compensated by sodium citrate - it slightly alkalizes the body. Finally, glucose anhydride is a source of energy necessary for the implementation of all recovery processes.

Regidron is a drug that you can start taking for dehydration (including giving to children) even before the doctor arrives. But a doctor's consultation is necessary in this case in order to clarify the cause of dehydration, adjust the daily dose of the rehydron solution and, if necessary, prescribe a comprehensive treatment.

Fluid loss can develop in all people, but it is especially dangerous for infants and the elderly.

In this article, we will consider how to protect your body from dehydration with frequent diarrhea, vomiting and other phenomena.

Fecal masses during diarrhea are almost entirely composed of water, so a person loses a large amount of fluid and salts. As a result, the blood supply to organs and tissues is disrupted and the entire body malfunctions.

During diarrhea, the digestion process is disturbed. Vitamins and important trace elements do not have time to be absorbed into the blood and the body begins to suffer from beriberi and a lack of mineral salts. Such a shortage can lead to disturbances in the functioning of the heart and nervous system.

In addition, with impaired digestion in the intestines ingested poorly digested food, and thereby contributes to the development of pathogenic microflora.

The result of this process is the poisoning of the body.

Symptoms of mild dehydration

Mild dehydration is characterized by loss of water up to 3% of body weight. It does not pose a danger to the body and is characterized by the following symptoms:

a person feels constant thirst;
there is dryness of the skin and mucous membranes;
a person refuses to eat;
saliva has a viscous consistency;
the amount of urine separated is significantly lower than normal;
weakness and lethargy are observed.

As dehydration develops, these symptoms are accompanied by headache, blue and pale skin, dark urine, heaviness in the stomach and heartburn.

Moderate symptoms

This degree is characterized fluid loss up to 9% of body weight and can develop within two days. Symptoms:

observed loose stools with an admixture of food consumed;
frequent vomiting;
the patient becomes restless;
palpitations, pulse indicators are constantly changing;
mucous membranes become dry;
the skin loses its elasticity;
there is lethargy and apathy;
blood circulation in the tissues is disturbed.

Severe symptoms

Severe dehydration develops with fluid loss of more than 10% of weight person. The symptoms are the same as in the middle degree, but more pronounced:

skin and mucous membranes are very dry;
there is no release of tears;
strong thirst;
in infants, the fontanel sinks and there is crying without tears;
an extremely small amount of urine is excreted, and it has a dark color;
blood pressure drops;
heart rate and respiratory rate increased;
increased body temperature due to lack of sweating;
loss and confusion of consciousness;
in severe cases, death is possible.

For moderate to severe dehydration urgent hospitalization required sick.

Dangers and Consequences

Fluid loss is very dangerous, as vital organs are affected as a result. The brain is 85% water. Even minor fluid losses can have dangerous consequences. Fluid loss affects brain cells that are responsible for neutralizing toxins.

The capillaries of the brain perform a protective function. With a lack of fluid, this function is impaired, and various diseases can occur (Alzheimer's disease, parkinsonism, sclerosis).

The immune system suffers from lack of water.

This contributes to the development of chronic ailments (lupus, bronchial asthma, infertility and bronchitis).

Dehydration can lead to obesity. People often confuse hunger with thirst. The body begins to store nutrients for energy. Unused energy turns into fat.

Dehydration changes the composition and consistency of the blood. As a result of its thickening, the flow to the organs is disrupted, and atherosclerosis may develop.

Features in children, pregnant women and the elderly

The child's body contains more fluid and water-electrolyte metabolism is faster. Children develop symptoms such as dry mucous membranes, retraction of the anterior fontanelle, vomiting, and high fever.

In pregnant women, fluid loss is dangerous and a medical emergency.

In elderly patients, dehydration leads to pathologies of the cardiovascular system, impaired intestinal motility, swelling of internal organs, clouding of consciousness and hallucinations. Elderly people should drink at least two liters of water per day, and in case of pathological processes, the volume should be increased.

How to avoid?

To prevent loss of fluid in the body, with diarrhea and vomiting sufficient water intake must be ensured. When vomiting, the liquid should come often and in small portions.

In a medical institution, the water-salt balance is replenished with the help of special medications.

How to treat?

First aid

Treatment with drugs is most effective for mild to moderate severity. To do this, use drugs that restore water and electrolyte balance (Rehydron, Hydrovit, Regidron Bio). Dosage and frequency of use depends on the individual characteristics of the body, age and body weight of a person. A similar solution can be prepared at home.

With dehydration in newborns, breastfeeding should not be abandoned. A nursing mother should also monitor her diet so that the child receives all the necessary trace elements and water.

Severe degrees of dehydration are treated only in a medical institution by intravenous infusion of the necessary solutions.

In what case to the doctor?

Immediate medical attention required infants and the elderly. In case of incessant vomiting, severe diarrhea with an admixture of blood, loss of consciousness, high fever, seizures, severe dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, an ambulance should be called.

Medicines

Regidron

The drug is available in the form of a powder for the preparation of a solution. It contains trace elements necessary for the body. The contents of the package are dissolved in boiled and chilled water. The resulting solution must be drunk during the day.

The frequency and dosage of the drug depend on the weight and age of the patient.

Hydrovit

The composition includes sodium and potassium salts, silicon dioxide. Available in sachets with and without strawberry flavor. Approved for use from infancy. Allergies and vomiting may occur as side effects. The drug is contraindicated with a high content of potassium in the body, frequent vomiting and renal failure.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of the drug should be agreed with the attending physician.

ethnoscience

Rehydration solution. It is necessary to dissolve 5 teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and take until the symptoms disappear completely.

Water with lemon. To replenish vitamins and trace elements in a glass of clean water, add a few slices of lemon, a spoonful of honey, a little salt and pepper. Mix everything and take throughout the day.

Water and barley. Take a little barley, add water and boil for a few minutes. Allow the solution to cool and strain. Add honey and lemon juice.

This drink can be consumed 5-6 times a day.

Diet

The diet for dehydration should replenish the fluid supply. It is necessary to use more meat, chicken broths. Include foods rich in sodium and potassium (tomatoes, potatoes, nuts, bananas, green vegetables and citrus fruits) in your diet. It is not recommended to drink tea, coffee, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, fried, spicy and smoked.

You need to eat small portions up to five times a day.

Sample menu for the day

Breakfast 1: oatmeal on the water, weakly brewed tea.
Breakfast 2: dried fruit compote, cracker, 1 banana.
Lunch: vegetable soup, steam meatballs, compote.
Afternoon snack: green tea with mint, unsalted biscuits.
Dinner: rice with steam meatballs, compote.

Drinking mode

For normal functioning of the body, it is necessary to consume 2.5 liters of water per day. Less consumption entails weight loss, thirst, nausea and increased body temperature. Excessive water consumption also negatively affects the condition of organs and tissues. Too diluted blood threatens with pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, and diluted gastric juice disrupts digestion. Also, frequent trips to the toilet disrupt the functioning of the kidneys.

Compliance with precautionary measures and preventive measures will ensure the smooth operation of the human body.

It is important not to self-medicate and seek help from a specialist in time.

Dehydration- the process of loss of water by the body, leading to an imbalance between water and minerals, i.e. to water-salt imbalance.

It is an indisputable fact that a person's need for water is in second place after oxygen, because water is so necessary for us to live! As you know, a person can live up to 6 weeks without food, but only one week without water. During his life, the average inhabitant of our planet drinks an average of 35 tons of water.

With insufficient intake of moisture in the body develops dehydration(or dehydration), which negatively affects its performance. For example, blood should be 92% water, and the total volume of circulating blood in a person of average build should be approximately 5 liters. The lack of water leads to a catastrophic decrease in blood volume, which necessarily leads to a violation of the stability of hemodynamics and thickening of the blood (hemoglobin in the blood test increases, the rheological properties of the blood are disturbed, erythrocytes stick together, and aggregation of cellular elements of the blood occurs). The lack of blood volume and its thickening is the cause of the narrowing of most peripheral vessels and capillaries, which provokes hemodynamic disorders (vegetovascular disorders).
Modern medicine suggests removing "excess water" from the body in order to treat edema with diuretics. This is an erroneous judgment. The forced removal of water from the blood plasma thickens the blood even more and disrupts capillary circulation, which leads to an even deeper disruption of metabolic processes in cells. The use of diuretics only exacerbates swelling and worsens overall well-being. Dehydration itself disrupts metabolic processes and disrupts protein metabolism.
Often dehydration occurs in the summer. When traveling to countries with a hot climate, you must constantly remember about the possibility of developing this condition. But dehydration can also occur as a result of various diseases.

The most common cause of dehydration is water loss due to (for example, with food poisoning, cholera), persistent vomiting (with poisoning, pyloric stenosis, toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy and others), polyuria (with diabetes and diabetes insipidus, some kidney diseases, hypervitaminosis D, hyperparathyroidism, Addison's disease, misuse of drugs). Dehydration of the body is observed with profuse sweating and evaporation of water with exhaled air (for example, with overheating of the body, sepsis and other serious infectious diseases accompanied), with acute blood loss. An interesting fact is that with fever, for every degree of temperature rise, water losses are only 50-75 ml per day, and fluid losses through the gastrointestinal tract during diarrhea or vomiting reach much larger volumes. Dehydration can also be caused by water starvation due to a violation of the drinking regimen in patients with impaired consciousness, helpless patients with improper care.

Dehydration is especially easy in children, whose tissues normally contain much more water than in the tissues of an adult. A child's body consists of 80% water (a five-month-old embryo is 94%). And in the body of an adult, the total amount of water on average is 60% of body weight (for obese people - 50%, for thin ones - 70%) and decreases with age.
In children, especially infants, the release of water per unit of body surface (through the kidneys, skin, lungs) is much higher than in adults, and the regulation of water-salt metabolism is less perfect, the younger the child. Water loss in babies is most often associated with dyspeptic disorders.

Common Clinical Signs in Dehydration

More than 5% weight loss
Dryness and flabbiness of the skin
The appearance of wrinkles on the skin of the face, the sharpness of its features
Oliguria - a decrease in the daily amount of urine to 500 ml (instead of 1500 is normal), sometimes anuria (lack of urine output)
Lowering blood pressure

Isoosmotic type of dehydration- water is removed from the intercellular space and from the cells relatively evenly.
In the treatment of isoosmotic type of dehydration, mineral water is used for drinking. In a hospital, isotonic solutions of sodium chloride and glucose are administered intravenously, with plasma loss - plasma or its substitutes.

Hyperosmotic, or water-deficient type of dehydration- causes the predominance of water loss over the loss of salts and - during water starvation - a pronounced decrease in the water content in the cells of organs and tissues (hypohydration, or dehydration of cells).
With a water-deficient type of dehydration, there is an excruciating thirst, a sharp dryness in the mouth and throat, the voice becomes hoarse, and the body temperature rises. Often noted. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity and sclera are dry, the thickness of the tongue is reduced, the eyeballs are sunken. Signs from the side of the central nervous system: agitation, aggression, fear, then hallucinations, drowsiness appear. In the absence of treatment, disorders of consciousness become deeper, up to a coma that precedes death.
When treating a water-deficient type of dehydration, give the patient water to drink without sugar and salt. In the hospital, 1 liter of a 5% glucose solution is administered intravenously (with the addition of 8 IU of insulin for injection), the first 200 ml is a stream, the rest is drip.

Hypoosmotic, or salt-deficient type of dehydration- sodium is primarily lost, water from the intercellular space is redistributed to the cells, accumulating in them in excess (hyperhydration of cells).
Clinical signs: anorexia and nausea in the absence of thirst, increasing headache (usually localized in the forehead). The tongue is often wet, not reduced in volume. Asthenia, apathy. Muscle pain, convulsions, disorders of consciousness are possible.
Drinking unsalted water causes vomiting, which aggravates dehydration, so drink salted water or an oral rehydration solution. In a hospital, intravenous jet administration of hypertonic solutions of sodium chloride (up to 20 ml of a 10% solution) and glucose (40 ml of a 20% solution) is performed, then they switch to drip administration of isotonic solutions of these substances with a total volume of 1.5-2 liters.

How to recognize dehydration?

It's usually pretty easy. A good indicator of the body's need for water is the color of urine. A well-hydrated body excretes colorless urine. In the body of a relatively dehydrated person, urine is yellow. In a state of severe dehydration, a person produces orange-colored urine.

With the loss of 2% of water from body weight, a person develops thirst, mental and physical indicators decrease by 20%, with a loss of 6-8%, a semi-conscious state develops, with a loss of 10%, hallucinations begin and swallowing problems appear. A sudden loss of water can lead to mental disorders, collapse, and sometimes death. With a shortage of 12%, a person dies.

Seek immediate medical attention if an infant or child under 10 years of age is dehydrated, or if vomiting is severe and uncontrollable.

Do not forget that dehydration is easier to prevent, thereby avoiding serious consequences. The body needs at least 2.5 liters of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt every day to compensate for natural water loss. Practice shows that people of large build should drink 14 g of water for every 450 g of weight. A person weighing 90 kg needs 2.8 liters of water. In addition, you need to drink at least two glasses of water on an empty stomach in the morning to replenish the water lost during eight hours of sleep. It is necessary to drink periodically during the day, regardless of the level of activity and well-being. It is better if the temperature of the drinks consumed is lower than body temperature (chilled water) or higher (hot tea). But the use of caffeine and alcohol leads to dehydration. For every cup of coffee or alcohol you drink, you should drink an additional glass of water.

The most expensive water in the world is sold in Los Angeles (USA). Its price is $ 90 per liter. According to the sellers, this water has an ideal ph balance for humans and an exquisite taste. The liquid is sold in special bottles decorated with Swarovski crystals. There is no such product in the assortment of domestic outlets, it can only be purchased by the golden youth of America, however, in any pharmacy there are always drugs for oral use that perform the function of correcting excess fluid loss by the body and restoring the water-electrolyte and acid-base balance ("Humana Electrolyte", "Gastrolit", "Rehydron" and "Rehydron optim"). These funds are indicated for the prevention of dehydration, replenishment of fluid and electrolyte losses during dehydration of varying severity (vomiting), intoxication of any origin (fever, infectious diseases, food poisoning), acetone syndrome.

"Humana Electrolyte", "Gastrolit", "Regidron" and "Regidron Optimum" are first aid preparations and can be used according to indications at any age, including in infants. The listed agents for oral rehydration, in accordance with WHO recommendations, are low-osmolarity (the effectiveness of solutions with reduced osmolarity is well proven). The sodium concentration is slightly lower (to prevent the development of hypernatremia), and the potassium content is higher (to restore potassium levels more quickly). "Humana Electrolyte", "Gastrolit", "Regidron" and "Regidron Optimum" contain glucose, which promotes the absorption of electrolytes, helps maintain the acid-base balance of the blood and provides the body's basic energy needs.

However, the drugs listed above have some differences, which we will dwell on in more detail. So, for example, Humana Electrolyte is produced in two types:
1) with banana pectin, the dietary fibers of which are able to bind and remove toxins from the body;
2) with fennel, which eliminates intestinal colic and bloating.

"Gastrolit" also contains chamomile extract, which has an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect, normalizes peristalsis, and prevents bloating.

Rehydration agents should be started as early as possible to prevent dehydration. Usually the drug is used for no more than 3-4 days, the treatment is stopped with the end.

Oral rehydration agents come in the form of powder dosed in packets, which should be dissolved in warm boiled water, cooled to room temperature and taken in small sips after each liquid emptying or after 10 minutes. after vomiting.

Severe dehydration (weight loss of more than 10%, anuria) should be corrected primarily by the use of intravenous rehydration agents in a hospital setting.

Dobra E.A., Candidate of Pharmacological Sciences, Department of Pharmacotherapy of NUPh, Clinical Pharmacist of CVD

Dehydration of the body is a common pathology in which a significant amount of fluid is lost. Water performs important functions: it helps to eliminate pathological products, toxins, radionuclides, participates in respiration, digestion. All internal organs have a liquid structure.

Dehydration occurs with pathological fluid loss (vomiting, diarrhea, insufficient intake from the outside). This threatens with serious consequences, even death, does not spare children, adults.

The main reasons include:

hot weather, frost, physical activity, sports lead to increased sweating;
food poisoning, which is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting. In a small child, this phenomenon often leads to resuscitation;
overheating in the sun, wearing warm clothes out of season;
diseases associated with frequent urination (diabetes);
Another endocrine pathology, which is accompanied by increased urination, is diabetes insipidus. As a result of insufficient production of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin), a quantitative increase in urine occurs;
high body temperature promotes water loss. Doctors always recommend a drinking regime for intoxication diseases;
during pregnancy, due to toxicosis, a significant amount of fluid is lost with vomit;
uncontrolled intake of diuretics (with renal pathology, arterial hypertension);
Separately, it is worth noting the process of dehydration in children. Due to poor hygiene, they often develop intestinal infections caused by rotavirus. Small body weight, increased circulation of electrolytes, water lead to rapid dehydration;
elderly people suffer from dehydration for several reasons: a reduced ability to retain water inside, a violation of the processes of thermoregulation, the threshold for sensitivity to thirst decreases. Most pensioners live alone, suffer from reduced memory, are often malnourished and do not drink enough water;
alcohol, drug intoxication - often lead to dehydration. Alcohol dries the mucous membranes, increases urination.

Dehydration is the loss of water and salts necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Dehydration develops when the body loses more fluid than it needs. Dehydration can disrupt the complex fluid-electrolyte balance that healthy cells and tissues need to function.

The human body is usually more than 60% water. The balance is maintained by such a mechanism as thirst. When the body needs more water, the brain stimulates the nerve centers, the person feels thirsty. The kidneys are responsible for maintaining water balance by excreting waste products and excess water.

Water is primarily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and excreted by the kidneys in the urine. The change in internal water volume depends on the ability of the kidneys to dilute and concentrate urine as needed.
Children need more water than adults because they use more energy. Dehydration in children usually results from the loss of large amounts of fluid and insufficient water intake to replace the loss.

This condition often occurs in children with indigestion (vomiting or diarrhea), with fever, severe sweating. Dehydration can be caused by a painful condition; hot, dry climate; prolonged exposure to the sun or high temperatures; insufficient water intake, abuse of diuretics or other drugs that increase urination.

Causes

Usually, dehydration is caused by repeated vomiting, diarrhea, intense sweating, and fever. If in this state a person does not receive enough fluid, dehydration may begin to develop. Especially pronounced are the signs of dehydration in a child. The risk group includes the seriously ill and the elderly.

An insignificant stage of the disease is compensated by increased water intake. The body itself took care of this, providing it with a mechanism for the emergence of thirst. A special structure in the brain is responsible for it. Another protective function with a lack of fluid is less urination. Thus, the body tries to maintain at least a little balance, struggling with a disease such as dehydration.

Causes of occurrence:

Vomiting and diarrhea. Gastrointestinal upset can cause severe fluid loss in a fairly short period of time. Dehydration with diarrhea caused by cholera occurs so rapidly that sometimes the body loses several liters of valuable fluid in two hours. And if diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, then the loss will be even more significant. In children, this process occurs much faster. Therefore, having noticed the first signs, you should immediately contact your pediatrician for help.
Fever. It is a known fact that the higher the temperature of a person, the faster moisture is lost from the body. Following popular advice, patients try to sweat. For this, they use a lot of tea. As you know, the body, along with sweat, loses precious fluid. And if the disease is also supplemented by diarrhea, vomiting, then the risk of dehydration increases many times over.
Increased sweating. A person always loses fluid. And a lot of water leaves the body through sweat. Intensive training can drive up to several hundred grams of fluid. In this regard, going on a hike or the gym, be sure to grab a bottle of water. Children are especially sensitive to increased sweating during competitions and games. This is due to physiology. But, unfortunately, babies are inattentive to such a condition, they do not attach any importance to signs of dehydration. This is one of the many reasons why children's games should be supervised by adults.
Increased urination. Often these signs of dehydration are the result of diabetes. This disease causes impaired glucose utilization. With a lack of production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas, the patient is tormented by severe thirst. The result is profuse urination. Similar symptoms can be caused by another disease - diabetes insipidus. It provokes its lack of antidiuretic hormone of the pituitary gland. This disease also causes an acute feeling of thirst, accompanied by increased urination.

Some medications can cause the body to lose its life-giving moisture. These are, for example, diuretics, antihistamines, antihypertensives, and some psychiatric drugs.

Severe dehydration causes alcohol and many drugs.

The following reasons lead to rapid dehydration of the body:

feverish conditions that increase the lack of fluid in the body;

with infectious diseases that cause repeated vomiting, diarrhea;

happens with physical injuries (disability);

when potable water is not available;

with severe skin damage (burns, infections);

intense summer heat and the need to be in the sun;

with hyperhidrosis, that is, in people prone to increased sweating;

with mental disorders;

may occur with existing diabetes mellitus;

anorexia and bulimia, prolonged fasting, especially the so-called "dry";

with massive blood loss;

with uncontrolled intake of laxatives and diuretic drugs.

Dehydration of the body does not develop without reason. It leads to various pathological conditions in which there is a loss of fluid. Most often, a large amount of water leaves the body with prolonged vomiting and diarrhea. Also dehydration leads to loss of blood during injuries. The main cause of dehydration is intestinal infections.

The most common of these are dysentery and salmonellosis. In addition to them, dehydration can lead to: E. coli, staphylococci, clostridia, botulinum toxin, etc. All these bacteria enter the human body with food eaten that has undergone poor-quality processing. Especially dangerous infections (cholera, anthrax) lead to fatal dehydration of the body.

Fortunately, at present these diseases do not occur. Since dehydration is the loss of fluid, it also develops when blood leaves the body. In some cases, mild dehydration can occur during childbirth, surgery, heavy menstruation. The severe stage develops with hemorrhagic shock - a large blood loss that occurs with severe injuries.

Dehydration is a consequence of water deficiency in the body, which occurs with its increased excretion. The main causes of dehydration are: - Decreased fluid intake
- diarrhea
- vomiting - fever
- increased sweating
– excessive urination (polyuria)
- diuretics or other drugs that increase fluid loss
- caffeine or alcohol
Reduced fluid intake may be due to the following reasons:
- Loss of appetite associated with acute illness
- nausea - bacterial or viral infection, inflammation of the pharynx (pharyngitis)
- inflammation of the oral cavity caused by disease, infection, irritation, ulcers or beriberi.

Drinks that cause dehydration

Some doctors consider water only as a medium that dissolves and transports various substances, and they think that any drinks are suitable for replenishing this fluid.

Therefore, to a simple question, what kind of water is more useful to drink, doctors answer: any, and as much as possible. However, this is not the case at all.

Therefore, with the regular consumption of these drinks, quite imperceptibly, our body comes to a state of dehydration.

Let's take a simple example. Most of us treat colds or fevers with medicated hot tea, but in reality, this drink is more conducive to fluid loss in the body. This happens as a result of sweating.

Dehydration due to medication

In order for the body to absorb any medication (chemical), it is necessary to spend a certain amount of water, and this leads to even more dehydration.

In addition, at present, a disappointing trend can be traced - approximately 90% of medicines are prescribed and used without reasonable justification (a person is struggling not with the cause of the disease, but with its consequence), which further worsens the state of human health.

Degrees and types of dehydration

Degrees of dehydration:

lung (5-6% of water lost or 1-2 l);
medium (lost 6-10% or 2-4 liters of water);
severe (lost 10% or more than 4 liters of water);
acute dehydration (lost more than 10 liters of water) - this degree of dehydration can be fatal.

Types of dehydration:

isotonic (the composition of salt in the blood is normal);
hypertensive (increased level of blood salts);
hypotonic (low blood salt levels).

Dehydration classification

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 liters) of fluid
Acute dehydration - loss of more than 10 liters of water, this condition threatens the life of the patient.

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

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

In medicine, there are four degrees of dehydration, depending on the percentage of fluid loss:

Mild dehydration - 1 to 3% water loss (approximately 1.5 liters of fluid). This form of the disease is treated at home, by oral dehydration. You need to drink a few tablespoons of water every 10-15 minutes. Regardless of age, a person can recover quickly, without medical assistance.
The average is characterized by a loss of fluid from 3 to 6% (about 3 liters). In case of pathology, it is worth trying to restore normal fluid balance at home. If the drinking procedure is ineffective, call an ambulance or seek medical advice. At this stage, additional drug treatment will be required (drugs containing electrolytes - Regidron). Moderate dehydration is a transitional state between mild and severe.
Severe dehydration is considered when the water loss is 6-9%. You can't do without hospital droppers. It is dangerous to stay at home without medical help.
The most severe dehydration is expressed as a percentage - more than 10%. The condition threatens with serious consequences, death. It is better not to bring such a situation.

A separate classification is distinguished in accordance with changes in the salt balance:

Isotonic dehydration - accompanied by excessive excretion of sodium from the body. The concentration of the chemical changes insignificantly in the interstitial fluid. It occurs with vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, the development of an "acute abdomen" (cholecystitis, appendicitis, pancreatitis), burns, polyuria. It presents with symptoms of mild dehydration. It is not difficult to restore the normal water level in this condition.
Hypertensive dehydration is characterized by elevated salt levels. Occurs against the background of renal failure, long-term use of diuretics, intoxication syndrome. Characteristic signs are general weakness, mental disorders, excessive thirst, serious condition, convulsive syndrome, fever. Treatment of overhydration often occurs in the intensive care unit, dehydration is best prevented in time so as not to treat complications.
Hypotonic dehydration occurs when the concentration of sodium in the cell is reduced. Abundant diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating are the main conditions for the formation of this type of dehydration. In patients, blood circulation is disturbed, the work of the brain, kidneys, liver, blood thickens, in the biochemical analysis, residual urea nitrogen is significantly increased.

Dehydration has several stages of severity. Each of them has its own symptoms and requires appropriate treatment. There are three degrees of dehydration: mild, moderate and severe. The latter can even lead to cell death. So think about it: is it worth exposing your body to such tests?

How many degrees of dehydration are there?

The medical literature describes 4 degrees of dehydration.

The first - the easiest stage - is characterized by loose stools or vomiting with a frequency of 2 to 5 times a day. The patient may experience weakness and dry mouth.

In the second degree of dehydration, diarrhea and vomiting are observed up to 10 times a day. At this stage, the skin begins to turn pale and acquire a bluish tint, becomes dry to the touch and flabby.

The third degree of dehydration is characterized by irrepressible loss of fluid, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, diuresis and hypothermia. In this case, the appearance of convulsions, hoarseness of the voice is possible.

In the last stage of dehydration, facial features become pointed, black circles appear around the eyes. The body loses more than 10% of fluid, which is critical.

Treatment of children

The most effective way is to restore the lost fluid and electrolytes. The specific scheme of how to treat dehydration depends on the age of the child, the cause of the disease and the severity. Of course, it is best to choose it together with a pediatrician.

Initially, you should give the baby special preparations for dehydration. The best solution is "Regidron". It should be started as soon as the child has vomiting or diarrhea. Such preparations contain electrolytes necessary for the body. It's potassium and sodium. They help to restore the full water and electrolyte balance. This will prevent the occurrence of serious consequences.

An excellent analogue of the drug can be a home-made solution for dehydration. To make it, you will need half a teaspoon of salt, 6 teaspoons of sugar, a liter of purified drinking water. Check the proportions are correct. This is very important when preparing a homemade solution. If the dose is incorrect, the drug will be less effective and may sometimes be harmful.

Give your baby a sufficient amount of the drug, starting with small portions. In case of vomiting, start with one spoonful. Such a medicine should be used until the complete disappearance of all symptoms. Pay close attention to the color of your urine. Very important! It is impossible to store the finished solution, especially in heat, for a long time. It falls into disrepair very quickly.

Solutions are the best drink. Dehydration in a child is not treated with tap or special sports water. Eliminate from the diet at this time soda, milk, caffeinated drinks, juices. This will only aggravate the symptoms.

In most cases, mild to moderate severity is observed. Therefore, sufficient fluid intake easily relieves adults of all the symptoms that dehydration causes. Treatment for diarrhea or vomiting may include the same solutions discussed above.

Quite rarely, a severe stage is observed. In this case, hospitalization remains the best option. In a hospital, such a patient is given intravenous fluid. In order not to delay the healing process and not get a whole bunch of complications instead of a long-awaited recovery, you should definitely consult a doctor. This will make it possible to return to a normal lifestyle much faster.

With any disease, it is better to try to prevent the disease than to painfully look for methods of cure.

It doesn't take much to prevent dehydration.

Basically, you need to regularly consume enough fluids, eat fruits and vegetables rich in fluids.

It will not be superfluous to use the tips:

try to plan your activities in advance for the day and always have a supply of drinking water with you. Those who are engaged in physical activity should not forget about fluid replenishment;

do not plan physical activity on hot days, if necessary, try to do it in the morning or in the evening;

remember, dehydration is primarily for children and the elderly, people with hearing loss, so try to ensure that all members of your family have drinking water and access to it;

try not to abuse alcohol, especially on hot days, as alcohol provokes dehydration.

What to do with dehydration in the first place?

If there is a person nearby who needs help (severe vomiting, diarrhea), try to get at least a little liquid by one of the following methods:

sipping a small amount of water through special tubes;

a little mineral drink without gas content;

give to suck ice pieces;

in the hot summer period, remove excess clothing;

to reduce exposure to heat, open windows or turn on the air conditioner;

hang wet towels around the patient.

Signs of dehydration

Dehydration of the body is manifested by various signs, it all depends on the degree of dehydration, the main symptoms of the pathology:

With mild dehydration, thirst is observed, increased salivation, dry skin, the amount of urine and the frequency of urination decrease. Patients note the allocation of urine of a dark yellow color.
The average degree of dehydration is characterized by excessive thirst, dry skin, oral cavity, little urine is excreted per day. Its color changes, it becomes brown. Additionally, such symptoms appear: slight dizziness, patients are aggressive, overly irritable. There is a coldness of the extremities, palpitations, muscle cramps.
In severe cases, a number of symptoms develop:

an adult or a child becomes inattentive, irritable, there is a feeling of unmotivated fear, embarrassment;
headache, dizzy;
weakness does not allow to get out of bed;
tachypnea, tachycardia, lowering blood pressure;
skin feels cold, clammy, dry;
urination is absent throughout the day;
advanced cases of the disease are characterized by loss of consciousness, up to the development of a coma. The danger of dehydration is that it quickly leads to death. 25% fluid loss is considered fatal.

The symptoms of dehydration in adults are quite varied. How can you tell if your body is dehydrated?

That feeling when you are very thirsty is not the main sign of a lack of water in the body. In addition, when thirsty, the body adapts.

Plus, the desire to drink is often confused with the feeling of hunger.

Signs of dehydration include:

dry mouth or xerostomia, a condition with a decrease in normal saliva production, there may be viscous, viscous saliva;

increase in body temperature;

swollen or swollen tongue;

weakness, lethargy and dizziness;

pale skin with a shade of blue;

skin elasticity is lost, facial features are sharpened;

anhidrosis or lack of sweating;

brief loss of consciousness or syncope.

A change in the color of urine indicates a lack of fluid in the body: yellow or amber. In the process of developing a pathological condition, appetite is lost, convulsions, shortness of breath may appear, limbs go numb, a drop in body temperature and pressure is noted.

How does dehydration manifest itself? Symptoms of this disease can be distinguished, given the severity of its manifestations.

Fatigue for no apparent reason. Water is the main source of energy in the body. Food is of no value until all the nutrients it contains have undergone hydrolysis.

Short temper, irritability. Irritability is a kind of maneuver, an attempt by the brain not to do work that requires a lot of energy. Interestingly, if an irritable person drinks a couple of glasses of water, he will calm down much faster.

Fears, anxiety. With the help of anxiety, the brain signals a severe lack of water.

Despondency, depression. Dehydration leads to a rapid depletion of amino acids, and this, in turn, can cause not only a bad mood, but even a feeling of despondency.

Depression. Water deficiency inevitably causes dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine deficiencies, which can lead to melancholy and depression.

Lethargy. This is a signal that water should be drunk for normal brain function.

Restless sleep. If the body is in a state of dehydration, you should not even count on a restful healthy sleep. Full sleep can lead to even more dehydration, since a considerable amount of water is excreted with sweat (during sleep under the covers).

If the body is given water with a small amount of salt, the quality of sleep immediately normalizes.

Unreasonable impatience. The brain has to expend a lot of energy to function properly. In the event that there is clearly not enough energy, the brain usually tries to finish the work as quickly as possible. This trick of the brain is often referred to as “impatience.”

Carelessness. The more the brain is saturated with water, the more energy it is allowed to spend on the accumulation of information in the memory departments. In the same way, dehydration leads to a lack of attention in children who are addicted to sugary soda.

Shortness of breath that is not due to infection or lung disease. People who love physical education are required to consume the required amount of water.

Strong cravings for drinks such as coffee, tea, alcohol, carbonated drinks. Thus, your brain informs about the need for water.

Dreams about rivers, seas or other bodies of water are a form of unconscious expression of the need to quench your thirst. The brain specifically creates dreams of this kind to encourage a person to quench their thirst, even during deep sleep.

Home Dehydration Test

Signs of dehydration in a child - the first symptoms of a baby

Dehydration of the body can be very easily detected at an early stage. It should be noted that these degrees of the disease are easily amenable to complete cure. Therefore, if you notice that dehydration is setting in, the symptoms are quite eloquent about it, take action immediately.

Mild to moderate usually causes:

drowsiness, fatigue;
dry mouth and viscosity;
feeling of thirst;
decreased urination - babies' diapers stay dry for three hours, and older children do not go to the toilet for about eight hours, sometimes more;
dry skin;
constipation;
headache;
complete absence or very few tears when crying;
dizziness, sometimes even fainting.

Severe dehydration requiring immediate medical attention causes:

increased thirst;
insomnia, fussiness in children, confusion and irritability in adults;
lack of sweat;
dryness of not only the mouth, but also the skin, and even the mucous membranes;
almost no urination or a small amount that is dark yellow or amber in color;
sinking of the fontanel in an infant;
the skin becomes wrinkled when clamped, does not straighten immediately;
sunken eyes;
low blood pressure;
rapid breathing;
complete absence of tears;
cardiopalmus;
elevated temperature;
delirium, loss of consciousness - in the most difficult stages.

But remember: feeling thirsty is not always a reliable indicator of a lack of water in the body. This is especially true for the elderly and children. The best indicator is the shade of urine. The norm is indicated by a transparent color or slightly colored. A dark yellow and amber hue indicates dehydration.

Dehydration is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on how much fluid is lost as measured by weight loss. Mild dehydration is manifested by a loss of no more than 5-6% of body weight. A loss of 7-10% is considered moderate dehydration. Severe dehydration (loss of more than 10% of body weight) is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

When fluid intake is reduced, hypovolemic shock may develop. In this condition, the skin turns pale, covered with a cold sticky sweat, there is a rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing.
Blood pressure sometimes drops so low that it cannot be measured, and the skin on the knees and elbows may become patchy.

There is anxiety, anxiety. Upon reaching a body temperature of 41.7 ° C, irreversible damage to the brain and other vital organs develops.
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of child mortality worldwide. Dehydration is often the result of gastrointestinal illness and diarrhea in children.

In developing countries, dehydration from disease is a common cause of death for children under five years of age, accounting for about 2 million deaths per year.
A moderate form of dehydration is accompanied by dryness of the mouth, while the patient's eyes are slightly sunken. Thirst increases: the patient greedily drinks water.

Skin elasticity decreases. In young children, the fontanel is sunken. Patients with severe dehydration are usually lethargic, in a stupor, or even in a coma. The symptoms are even more obvious (deeply sunken eyes, no tears, very dry mouth and tongue, rapid and deep breathing). The skin fold straightens out very slowly (within two seconds).

A patient in a stupor cannot drink water on his own. There is a lack of urination for 6 hours or more. Blood pressure is reduced or not detected at all, hands and feet are cool, nail plates may have a bluish or purple color. Dehydration can lead to constipation, discomfort, drowsiness, and fever.

The skin becomes pale and cold, the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose lose their natural moisture. Breathing becomes fast and shallow. Significant fluid loss can cause serious neurological problems or death.
It is urgent to consult a doctor in the following situations: 1.

Symptoms of dehydration are disturbed.
2. Violation of appetite.
3. Inadequate diuresis. A formidable sign is the absence of diuresis in a newborn child for 8 hours. 4. Symptoms of dehydration developed in a child before the age of two months, accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting.
5. There is dizziness, lethargy or excessive thirst.
6.

There is tachycardia. 7. Dryness of mucous membranes. The child may not have tears. 8. Blood is found in the stool or vomit.
In newborns, dehydration can develop within a few hours after the onset of the disease. A physical examination is usually sufficient to make the diagnosis, although there are also laboratory signs of dehydration.

Treatment of children

To get rid of the pathological condition, you need to make every effort. An integrated approach to treatment methods will save the situation.

Drugs and droppers

The moderate and severe form must be treated with droppers. Infusion therapy contributes to the rapid restoration of liquid blood volume. Regular saline, Ringer's solution, glucose, trisol, disol are perfect for combating a pathological condition. Hemodez, Poliglukin - plasma-replacing drugs that fight intoxication, bleeding, prevent further loss of fluid.

High body temperature requires cooling the body, the introduction of antipyretic drugs. Vomiting is treated with antiemetic drugs (sturgeon).

In addition, medications with sodium and potassium salts are prescribed (Pedialit, Oralit, Regidron).

Folk remedies

You can use folk recipes only when the first symptoms of the disease appear, in the initial period. Other cases require qualified assistance. Traditional healers recommend:

Add a small amount of salt to a glass of water. During the day you need to drink four glasses, do not forget to eat light cereals (cereals, buckwheat).
A similar recipe is to add a little sugar to a glass of water.
Healing drinks based on herbs will replenish the liquid environment, reduce the manifestations of intoxication. Tinctures with chamomile, rose hips bring the body in order. Take a few spoonfuls every 20 minutes.

dehydration. The treatment regimen is determined by the severity of dehydration. Treatment should include two phases: a rehydration phase and a maintenance phase. In the rehydration phase, fluid loss resumes quickly, within 3-4 hours. The patient should not stop eating. Restriction of lactose (milk and dairy products) is usually not required, but may be helpful in a child with severe intestinal disease or diarrhea in malnourished children.

Children with minimal dehydration weighing less than 10 kg should be given 60-120 ml of oral rehydration solution with each episode of vomiting or diarrhea. With a weight of more than 10 kg, give 120-240 ml of such a solution. Food doesn't have to be limited. Children with mild to moderate dehydration should receive 50 to 100 ml of oral rehydration solution per kg of body weight over 2 to 4 hours to replace fluid loss.

Additional fluid must be introduced to replace current losses from vomiting and diarrhea. To determine tolerance, the patient is given an oral rehydration solution with a spoon, syringe, or pipette. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and requires immediate intravenous infusions.

With moderate and severe dehydration, the patient should be hospitalized in a medical institution. Moderate dehydration can be treated with oral fluids, severe dehydration requires intravenous fluid replacement. If dehydration is caused by vomiting, appropriate medications should be given.

However, antidiarrheal medications are not recommended for diarrhea in children. A patient who is dehydrated due to diabetes, kidney disease, adrenal disease should be treated for the underlying disease as well as dehydration. Adults with mild dehydration should drink clean water to replace fluid losses.

Children in such cases need the appointment of solutions for oral rehydration. Parents should follow the instructions on the label when giving children Pedialyte or other pharmacy solutions recommended for dehydration. Sports drinks are not recommended as they are high in sugar and can aggravate diarrhea.

In order to accurately calculate fluid loss, it is important to measure the patient's weight daily and record episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. If ready-made solutions for rehydration are unavailable, you can prepare a saline solution yourself. This is done by adding ¼ teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of sugar to half a liter of water.

Obtaining the right amount of electrolytes is very important, and therefore homemade solution is highly undesirable due to the possibility of mixing errors. However, they can be useful in emergency situations.
Mild degrees of dehydration rarely lead to complications.

If the cause is eliminated and fluid losses are replenished, the person recovers quickly. Vomiting and diarrhea that persist for several days without adequate fluid replacement can be fatal. However, with early diagnosis and treatment of dehydration, the prognosis is positive.

Complications of dehydration

Dehydration threatens with a decrease in BCC, a drop in blood pressure, and a violation of hemodynamics. Irreversible processes occur in the internal organs, it is very difficult to return them to their initial state in the future.

Complications of dehydration:

development of hypovolemic shock.
Acute renal failure.
Acute liver failure.
Respiratory and circulatory disorders.

The progression of the dehydration state will be stopped only by timely treatment, control of homeostasis indicators. Drinking regimen is the main key to success.

Dehydration is a pathological condition that is characterized by a significant loss of fluid. Dehydration threatens the development of hypovolemic shock.

Unfortunately, dehydration in some cases, especially with insufficient due attention, can lead to rather disastrous results. Don't ignore dehydration. The consequences can sometimes be fatal.

Dangerous complications:

Heatstroke. During intense physical activity, if a person does not drink enough fluids, the body can overheat. Such a state is difficult because it can easily end thermal shock. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be fatal.
Seizures. Electrolytes necessary for vital activity (sodium, potassium) act as conductors between cells. Imbalance introduces disharmony into this process, provoking mixing of signals. This process causes involuntary muscle contractions or loss of consciousness.
Edema of the brain. The lack of fluid makes the body even more eager to take care of the cells. It simply "pushes" the remaining water into the cells. In turn, this provokes their swelling and death. It is very dangerous if the body begins to "take care" of the brain cells.
hypovolemic shock. This condition occurs when the pressure drops. It is defined as the most dangerous complication. Dehydration leads to insufficient blood volume and therefore low blood pressure. And this, in turn, reduces the amount of oxygen in the body.
Kidney failure. One of the dangerous conditions for the body, which can lead to dehydration. It is dictated by the pressure drop. The kidneys become unable to filter harmful substances. After all, their work is determined only by the pressure in the vessels. Therefore, such a “filter” simply stops. Urine production stops. The disease is kidney failure.
Coma, death. If you don’t catch yourself in time and start treating dehydration, dehydration diseases can be fatal.

First of all, dehydration threatens with metabolic disorders, malfunctions of the immune system, the development of thrombosis, and ultimately, cell death.

The first and second stages of dehydration can be cured at home, but if the situation is critical (repeated vomiting, prolonged fever, diarrhea that does not stop for more than a day, loss of consciousness), urgently call an ambulance, as a significant loss of water is too life-threatening.

What does dehydration lead to in the most critical cases?

With prolonged dehydration in an adult, death can occur in five to seven days, and in dry and hot weather even after three to five days.

What threatens dehydration of the human body? Possible complications include:

shock (the skin is pale, breathing has become more frequent, cold sweat appears, the skin becomes sticky, the pulse quickens, then slows down, the person loses consciousness);
kidney damage;
dehydration can be fatal, especially in cases of infectious diseases and weakened immune systems.

Consequences

What does dehydration lead to, both in adults and children? As dehydration increases, with prolonged fluid deficiency, there is a gradual decrease in the volume of fluid inside the cells.

The consequence of severe, prolonged dehydration is the development, or exacerbation, of various immunodeficiency pathologies: chronic bronchitis, asthma, lupus erythematosus.

Preventing dehydration in adults (prevention)

To avoid the disease and, of course, no less dangerous complications, you need very little. It is required to take a sufficient amount of fluid daily, eat juicy foods. These include vegetables and fruits. For most people, thirst is a kind of wake-up call. With physical exertion, you should not wait until it comes, increase your water intake.

And do not forget that in some situations you should take more water than usual.

Disease. Start drinking more fluids or rehydration solution at the first sign of symptoms. Just do not forget that carbonated drinks, light beer contain a lot of sugar and little salt. Therefore, they are unable to replace the lost electrolytes.
Sports. The day before serious physical exertion, the dose of liquid should be increased. A large amount of clear-colored urine is the best indicator of wealth. Drink 1-3 glasses of water immediately before your workout. Remember to drink fluids during exercise as well.
But know that excessive fluid intake will not lead to good. This can result in bloating and discomfort. In some cases, a potentially fatal condition can occur when there is too little sodium in the blood – hyponatremia. This happens if the body receives fluids much more than it loses.
Wednesday. In hot weather, be sure to take more water. This will lower your body temperature. In this way, the fluid lost through sweating will be restored.

Adequate water regime of a person helps to prevent dehydration. Parents can avoid dehydration in infants and children who are vomiting or having diarrhea by replenishing fluids in a timely manner. Infants and children with diarrhea and vomiting should take oral rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration.

The adequacy of the water regime can be assessed by the color of urine - normally it should remain straw-colored. Water in foods, especially fruits and vegetables, is an excellent source of fluid. Fruits and vegetables can contain up to 95% water, so a well-balanced diet is a good way to stay hydrated.

Children should not be given coffee or tea because they increase body temperature and water loss. Avoid caffeinated soft drinks, which also increase the risk of dehydration - these drinks are diuretics.

Each home first aid kit contains the most necessary medicines. "Regidron" must be among them. Every adult is familiar with such a drug as Regidron. "Regidron" is bought at a pharmacy at an affordable price, the drug does not require a prescription. This is a first aid drug for dehydration. Situations in which dehydration quickly sets in are known to almost every person. Rapid fluid loss occurs with diarrhea and vomiting. Together with water, the body quickly loses vital trace elements.

To avoid dehydration of the body, use a solution of the drug "Regidron", which is easy to make on your own at home. Regidron is not contraindicated for pregnant and lactating mothers or young children. It is only necessary to clarify the dosage of the drug with a doctor.

We list the symptoms that accompany the onset of dehydration. These are fatigue, feeling of viscosity and dryness in the mouth, drowsiness, thirst, decreased amount of urine, headache, dizziness, constipation, dry skin, fainting.

Symptoms of severe dehydration when an urgent need to see a doctor: insomnia and fussiness in infants and young children, lack of tears when crying, sunken fontanel in infants, confusion, sunken eyes, lack of sweat, fever, rapid heart rate and heavy breathing, wrinkled dry, inelastic skin. In severe cases of dehydration, loss of consciousness and delirium may occur.

Let's briefly dwell on the causes of dehydration in order to try to avoid this disease in the future. Dehydration occurs when the body does not replace the fluid lost during the day. The main causes of dehydration are vomiting and diarrhea, high fever, frequent urination and profuse sweating. Acute diarrhea is especially dangerous. It usually occurs unexpectedly and causes a large loss of fluid and electrolytes in a short time. Also, some medications that have diuretic properties, antihistamines, and blood pressure medications can contribute to dehydration. They cause increased sweating and urination.

Let's find out what the pharmacy "Regidron" consists of. In the instructions you can read the composition: citrate and sodium chloride, anhydrous dextrose and potassium chloride. These elements, diluted with boiled water in a certain proportion, will return the lost fluid to the body, as well as restore electrolytes and the acid-base balance of the blood.

"Rehydron" must be taken with diarrhea or vomiting, with food poisoning, with heat stroke. Other cases when it is recommended to drink a solution of "Rehydron":

physical exercise,
regular overheating of the body,
increased sweating.

During pregnancy, rehydron is allowed to be used in the doses indicated in the instructions. Regidron does not affect the fetus. Drivers of vehicles and people operating precise mechanisms can also use rehydron.

Rehydron contraindications

"Regidron" has contraindications. In acute and chronic renal failure, with an excess of potassium in the body, with severe and moderate arterial hypertension, as well as with diabetes, Regidron should not be taken. An urgent visit to the doctor is necessary if, after taking the drug, the patient complains of drowsiness, fever, bloody stools, and impaired speech. If, after the diarrhea stops, there is severe pain in the abdomen, the intervention of a qualified specialist is also necessary. We must not forget that home treatment does not always lead to good results. It is better to seek help from a specialist and follow the recommendations.

If a child has a problem, see a doctor right away. With vomiting and diarrhea, it is necessary not only to restore the water balance, but also to find out the cause of the disease. The cause can be both rotavirus infection and poisoning. Even a concussion cannot be ruled out. Until the cause is clarified, do not forget to give the child liquid. It can be "Regidron" prepared at home.

A solution of homemade "Rehydron" can be made and safely used if diarrhea or vomiting is taken by surprise, and the pharmacy is far away. There are several recipes, here are three of them. You decide which one to use.

3 recipes for the preparation of rehydron

The first recipe for Regidron. In a glass of boiled water at room temperature, add one teaspoon of salt and sugar. Second recipe. For 500 ml of boiled water, add sugar 2 tbsp. l. and 1/4 tsp. soda ordinary with salt. Third recipe. We take two liter jars, pour boiled chilled water there. In one jar, add a full tablespoon of table salt, in another - the same amount of sugar. The resulting solutions are taken every 10 minutes alternately.

Take "Regidron" prepared at home in the same way as a pharmacy. For children, a solution that helps restore strength can be compote, green tea, home-brewed raisin decoction, alkaline water, or electrolytic solutions. You can also give plain boiled water to drink. The liquid should be about 22 degrees or a little warmer - so it will be absorbed by the body faster and will help to start restoring health.

You need to know how to store this medicine. At room temperature, the pharmacy "Regidron" is stored in a dry, dark place for three years. Do not forget that it is very important to keep all medicines out of the reach of children. The prepared solution is stored only in the refrigerator (2 - 8 ° C) for a maximum of two days. The same applies to Regidron prepared at home. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a volume of the drug sufficient for two days, no more. Before use, Regidron should be taken out of the refrigerator before use, so as not to drink cold.

The sooner you start taking Regidron, made at home or from a pharmacy, the faster the problem of dehydration will be solved. Therefore, recovery will come faster. Dehydration is very dangerous!

What is dehydration and its symptoms

The body can warm water through the intestines (with diarrhea, the action of laxatives, and so on), the stomach (with vomiting), the kidneys (abundant urination in diabetes insipidus and diabetes, ten diuretics, and so on), the skin (increased sweating), the lungs (under conditions dry air), with blood loss or with the expiration of wound contents with extensive burns and wounds.

When performing physical work, the greatest loss of water with sweat is observed in conditions of overheating of the body. When climbing high mountains, increased water loss is promoted by increased sweating due to physical exertion and its rapid evaporation due to dry air. The cause of exicosis can also be the loss of water by the body during a long carbohydrate-free diet and water starvation.

Exsicosis is a threatening condition in which many physiological functions are deeply disturbed. Sodium is also excreted along with the liquid, which leads to thickening and increased blood viscosity, lowering blood pressure and a sharp increase in the risk of collapse. At the same time, peripheral blood vessels narrow, which leads to impaired renal function and the development of acidosis - a shift in the acid-base balance of the body towards increased acidity. But the brain suffers especially - there are disorders of the nervous system - convulsions and coma.

The fluid is excreted both from the intercellular space (sodium is lost along with it) and from the cells (this leads to a loss of potassium - hypokalemia). The main symptoms of fluid loss are weight loss, thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, severe dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, hoarseness, and palpitations. Weakness increases, headache, muscle weakness occur, attention and coordination of movements are disturbed. Then the eyeballs sink, facial features become sharper, vision and hearing weaken, swallowing becomes difficult, circulatory failure increases, blood clots may form in the vessels due to blood clots. There are mental disorders up to the development of psychosis and convulsions, which can end in coma.

How to help a person with dehydration

You can help such a person on your own only with the initial degree of dehydration, when severe dryness of the skin and mucous membranes appears. In severe dehydration, adequate care can only be provided in a hospital setting. But you need to know that if dehydration occurs against the background of an intestinal infection, its elimination alone will not be enough - such a patient requires complex treatment with the use of antibacterial drugs.

To relieve dehydration at home, the drug rehydron, which is available in powder form in sachets, is suitable. The composition of the powder includes mineral substances that restore the water-salt, acid-base and energy balance of the body - sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate and glucose anhydride.

The contents of the sachet are diluted with a liter of boiled water and drunk quite a bit, since the loss of fluid (especially if it is against the background of an intestinal infection) is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. To keep the solution in the gastrointestinal tract, it is better to take it in small sips every few minutes. Children are given a solution in a teaspoon.

As a result, potassium chloride restores water-salt metabolism in cells, and sodium chloride - in the intercellular space. The balance between potassium and sodium contributes to the normalization of osmotic pressure in tissues. Acidosis is compensated by sodium citrate - it slightly alkalizes the body. Finally, anhydride is a source of energy necessary for the implementation of all reduction processes.

Galina Romanenko

Related publications

Water is the second most important substance after oxygen, necessary for chemical and metabolic processes in the human body. That is why dehydration of the body can provoke the occurrence of various diseases and pathologies. Against this background, various endocrine, cardiovascular, muscular and mental diseases develop.

Causes of dehydration

Dehydration of the body is primarily due to the excess of water excretion from it compared to its intake. Lack of water provokes the emergence of a variety of diseases. For example, water lubricates the joints, participates in the processes of digestion and respiration, since the human lungs need continuous hydration in order to free the blood from carbon dioxide and saturate it with oxygen.

Basically, dehydration of the body occurs due to the dryness of the air that enters the lungs. The first reaction to this is increased urination, which means a significant loss of not only fluid, but also sodium chloride, which leads to impaired water-salt metabolism.

Blood that has lost the necessary amount of water decreases in volume and begins to circulate more slowly, which leads to excessive stress on the heart. Thus, the body loses the ability to get rid of excess heat in hot conditions and distribute it in cold weather.

It has been established that the body needs up to 3 liters of fluid per day to maintain water balance, and in the hot season this amount increases. Therefore, its deficiency can provoke dehydration of the body. If the air temperature exceeds +35°C, the human body begins to heat up, especially during any physical activity. Maintaining a normal temperature and getting rid of excess heat is achieved through sweating. During this process, a person loses a lot of fluid, which should be restored. If the renewal of the required amount of moisture does not occur, such losses lead to its deficiency.

The main reasons for the lack of water in the human body are:

Intensive sweating;
Increased urination;
severe nausea and vomiting;
acute diarrhea;
Insufficient fluid intake, provoked by loss of appetite or vomiting.

Symptoms of dehydration

The first symptom of dehydration is, of course, an increased feeling of thirst, however, not everyone has it from the very beginning of this pathological process. The surest sign of its presence can be called a change in the color and amount of urine: if its volume has significantly decreased, and the color has become dark yellow, this indicates a lack of fluid in the human body and the need to replenish it.

In addition, the sure signs of dehydration are severe sweating at high temperatures and physical exertion, dark circles under the eyes, a noticeable decrease in activity, overwork, and various disturbances in the functioning of the senses.

It is known that the lack of fluid in the first place has a negative impact on the brain, since it is 85% water. In conditions of its shortage, the production of energy in the brain is sharply reduced, which greatly affects the senses. That is why among the symptoms of dehydration should be identified and such as:

Irritability and restlessness;
Despondency and depression;
Weakening of sexual desire;
Heaviness in the head and headaches;
Food cravings, cravings for alcohol, smoking and drugs.

All these signs of dehydration may indicate the initial stage of depression, which can provoke the development of chronic fatigue in a person. According to some experts, the lack of water in the brain tissue is a direct cause of continuous social stress, accompanied by feelings of self-doubt, fear, anxiety and other emotional problems.

The most serious symptoms of dehydration that develop if the required amount of fluid is not restored are:

General weakness;
Confusion of consciousness leading to fainting;
Dullness and flabbiness of the skin;
convulsions;
Tachycardia.

These indicators of water deficiency, left unattended, often lead to complications such as kidney damage, shock, and even death.

Treatment for dehydration

Experts note that dehydration is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, regardless of the level of activity and health status, it is necessary to consume the maximum amount of fluid during the day. The risk group primarily includes young children and the elderly, especially with attacks of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and fever.

Treatment of dehydration involves the constant use of water, but with the loss of electrolytes, it is necessary to compensate for the lack of sodium and potassium. To restore salts, there are such special formulations as glucosolan or citraglucosolan, which can be used both for prevention and for mild dehydration. It is recommended to add a little salt to drinking water during or after heavy physical exertion. However, this method is considered effective only in the case of drinking a large amount of drink during the day.

When fluid deficiency leads to a significant decrease in blood pressure, which is life threatening, solutions containing sodium chloride are administered intravenously. In addition, to treat dehydration, it is necessary to eliminate the cause that provoked it. For example, with diarrhea, in addition to restoring the right amount of water, you should take drugs that correct the stool. If the kidneys excrete a lot of water, you may need treatment with a synthetic hormone.

After eliminating the cause of dehydration, it is necessary to monitor fluid intake and prevent relapses. For this, an adult is recommended to drink at least 2-3 liters of water daily, especially in hot weather and during significant physical exertion.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms of many infectious diseases that affect the digestive system, as well as poisoning. With a high intensity of vomiting and diarrhea, the patient's body can lose a large amount of fluid, which leads to the development of dehydration.

Health professionals define dehydration as too much fluid loss. Such a condition develops not only with diarrhea and vomiting, but high fever, excessive sweating, thirst and other factors can also lead to it. Dehydration can occur in people of any gender and age, but it is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly.

The causes of increased fluid loss may be different, but still the most common cause of dehydration is diarrhea and vomiting in infectious pathologies. Taking certain medications can only exacerbate the problem.

Signs of dehydration with diarrhea

A very alarming symptom in the diagnostic sense is rapid weight loss. It can be several kilograms in 3-4 days. Dropping weight by more than 10% of the original is considered very difficult. The main manifestations of dehydration with diarrhea are signs of a lack of moisture in the body. Severe dehydration can lead to water imbalance in the body, kidney failure and other serious consequences that pose a threat to health and life.

The first symptoms of dehydration are usually weakness, dry mouth, increased viscosity and ductility of saliva, discoloration of urine.

With mild to moderate severity of pathology the following symptoms may be observed:

increased thirst;
decrease in the amount of tear fluid;
dry skin and mucous membranes;
lethargy, drowsiness, apathy;
dizziness.

Symptoms of severe dehydration similar, but more pronounced:

strong, unbearable thirst;
children may experience excessive fussiness or, conversely, drowsiness;
drying of mucous membranes and skin;
"dry" crying;
sunken eyes;
urine acquires a dark color, its amount is significantly reduced;
in infants, the fontanel sinks;
blood pressure is markedly reduced;
heartbeat and respiratory rate increase;
sweating decreases, which can lead to an increase in temperature;
often patients become irritable, their consciousness may be confused;
in severe cases, loss of consciousness and death may occur.

In the early stages, in addition to thirst and other subjective sensations, the development of dehydration may be indicated by a change in the color of urine, that is, its darkening. With obvious symptoms of dehydration, especially against the background of diarrhea, fever and vomiting, it is imperative to seek medical help.

Dehydration with diarrhea in a child

Dehydration with diarrhea is especially dangerous for young children, as in infants, all symptoms develop very quickly. A baby under 6 months old should consume about a liter of water per day. This amount includes not only liquid in the form of juices, teas and other drinks, but also water present in fruits, vegetables and other foods. A healthy child should be offered water periodically.

But diarrhea and vomiting can cause rapid dehydration, as large amounts of fluid come out with feces and vomit. High temperatures can exacerbate the situation. Therefore, with any disease, young children require increased attention. If the child has dark urine, a decrease in its quantity, drying of the lips and skin, then you should call the doctor. Severe repeated vomiting and diarrhea in itself is a reason to call specialists.

To prevent the development of dehydration with diarrhea, regular infusion of a small (1-2 tablespoons) amount of water into the baby's mouth will help. You need to do this every 10 minutes. Such measures make up for the loss of fluid and at the same time do not provoke repeated vomiting. Breastfeeding women may be advised to breastfeed as often as possible, even if the mother is also showing signs of illness. Indeed, in this case, antibodies against pathogenic microorganisms will be present in breast milk. After an attack of vomiting, the child can be breastfed only after some time, so as not to cause a new attack. For the period of treatment for diarrhea, dairy products, prunes, beets and other similar products are excluded from the diet.

Calling an ambulance is necessary if the following signs of dehydration with diarrhea are observed:

diarrhea and vomiting continue for more than 5-6 hours;
the baby cries a lot, is naughty, while becoming drowsy, apathetic;
the child's lips become dry and cracked;
the skin dries up and loses its normal elasticity;
the number of urination is significantly reduced.

How to stay hydrated with diarrhea

In order to prevent the development of dehydration, it is necessary at the first sign of its appearance to begin the introduction of fluid into the body. In a medical institution, special droppers can be placed to replenish the amount of fluid in the body. At home, you should try to give the sick person more fluids, but when vomiting, one-time portions should be very small. With vomiting and diarrhea, a water-salt solution can be given to a person as a prevention of dehydration. It's easy to cook at home. This will require salt and sugar, which are added to clean water. In this case, water can be mixed 1: 1 with orange juice. Pharmacies also sell special powders for preparing such a solution, for example, rehydron.

Dehydration cure for diarrhea

Treatment of dehydration with diarrhea is to replenish the amount of fluid in the body and restore the water-salt balance. The treatment regimen can be adjusted depending on the severity of the pathology, its causes and the age of the patient.

The most common and effective drug prescribed for rehydration is Regidron and its analogues. This solution contains potassium and sodium, which contribute to the normalization of the balance of electrolytes in the body. You can prepare a similar solution yourself at home. To do this, in a liter of clean water you need to dissolve 6 small spoons of sugar and 1 spoon of salt. When taken, the solution should be at room temperature. Water the child every few minutes in a small spoonful. If he vomits, then you need to pause, and give the next portion of the solution only after 30-45 minutes. A solution of rehydron or salt and sugar cannot be stored for a long time. Do not stop breastfeeding if your baby is dehydrated. In addition, it is necessary to review the diet.

Treatment for dehydration in adults involves fluid replacement, but plain water is best. With diarrhea and diarrhea, it is also recommended to take a rehydrating solution. Severe dehydration in both adults and children is treated in a hospital setting with intravenous fluids.

Every person needs water for the normal functioning of the body. The liquid transports the necessary substances to the tissues and cells of the body, plays an important role in the process of digestion and thermoregulation. Lack of moisture can lead to dangerous consequences. The topic of the article is dehydration, symptoms and treatment of the condition.

What is a phenomenon?

The human body contains sixty percent fluid. With the loss of even 2% of water, the state of health worsens. In addition, the mood drops, there is a lack of energy, the work of various organs and systems is disrupted. Mental activity suffers. Poor functioning of the heart muscle. Dehydration of the body, symptoms of pathology are observed in cases where the human body spends more fluid than it consumes.

The most susceptible to this condition are minors, the elderly, patients suffering from serious illnesses. For them, dehydration is especially dangerous and often fatal.

The mechanism of development of pathology

Before talking about dehydration, symptoms and treatment of the disease, you should first find out how dehydration occurs. It is known that a person is able to exist without liquid from three to ten days. However, these indicators vary depending on weather conditions, physical activity and the emotional background of the individual. Dehydration in and of itself is not a disease. But it appears as a complication of diseases.

Dehydration and the symptoms of this condition pose a threat to both the adult and the child. If, for certain reasons, the human body does not have enough fluid, it begins to take it from the tissues of the body. Consequently, the amount of urine separated is reduced, the individual sweats less. In a severe form of the disease, the cells of the brain and other organs decrease in volume. The result of this process can be coma and other severe disorders.

Causes of dehydration

As factors that can cause this condition, you can list:

Diseases accompanied by high fever.
Diabetes.
consequences of intoxication.
Infectious pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by severe diarrhea and bouts of vomiting.
Loss of a large volume of blood due to mechanical damage, wounds, dysfunction of the female reproductive organs.
Prolonged exposure to the sun in hot weather.
Strong sweat separation due to intensive training.

Thermal shocks.
Lack of food or liquid.
Excessive use of drugs that cause frequent urination.
Burn.
Addison's disease.
Cancer pathologies.
Abuse of alcohol-containing products, sweets, and drinks containing caffeine.

Symptoms of dehydration in an adult and a child depend on the severity of the disease.

Stages of dehydration

There are several state stages:

Mild degree (it is diagnosed with a loss of no more than 3 percent of moisture and does not pose a danger to the life of the patient).
Medium (shortage of 6% water).
Severe form (lack of fluid is 9%). The patient's life is at risk, he needs medical care in a hospital.
Critical (loss of 10 percent of moisture, in many cases ends in death).

General signs characteristic of dehydration

Regardless of the cause that provoked this phenomenon, the symptoms of dehydration are the following:

Feeling the need to drink fluids.
Feeling of dryness in the mouth.
Decreased amount of urine and sweat.
Dark skin tone under the eyes.
Strong dizziness.
Brokenness.
Coloration of urine in a dark yellow tint.
Headache.
Decreased skin tone.
Disorders of consciousness.
Decrease in blood pressure.
Decrease in body weight (observed in rare cases).
High fever (most common in children).

It should be noted that with dehydration, the symptoms in adults and minors are almost the same.

Signs of mild dehydration

This condition is characterized by the following manifestations:

Feeling of dryness in the mouth.
Feeling the need for fluid.
Thick saliva.
Loss of appetite.
Reducing the amount of urine.
Feeling of weakness and fatigue.
The appearance of weakness in the muscles.
Discomfort in the joints and bones.
Stool retention.
Discomfort in the upper abdomen.
Flabbiness and grayish tint of the skin.
Headache.

When the body is dehydrated, the symptoms indicated above indicate that a person needs to urgently take measures to restore fluid balance. If this does not happen, the disease is able to move to the next stage.

moderate dehydration

This condition provokes a disorder of the functions of several organs and systems. The malaise manifests itself in this way:

The patient has an accelerated heart rate.
The breathing process is disturbed even in the absence of physical activity.
Body temperature is greatly increased. Antipyretic drugs are not able to reduce it.
Urine excretion is suspended for 12 hours.

Signs of severe dehydration

With severe dehydration, the patient's symptoms are as follows:

Feeling of nausea.
Exhausting vomiting.
Disorder of consciousness.
Wrinkling of the skin.

Severe dehydration leads to circulatory disorders. This situation is very dangerous.

Consequences that pose a threat to the life of the patient

Dehydration can cause the following disorders in the body:

Disorder of the functions of the urinary system.
Shock state. Pathology is characterized by a pale shade of the skin, acceleration of the breathing process, sweating, loss of consciousness.
Death in the absence of adequate therapy.

Consequences of chronic lack of water

Fluid deficiency can be acute. At the same time, his symptoms are pronounced. However, it happens that a person experiences a slight lack of water, but it is always present. And although there is no severe malaise in this case, the condition is dangerous because it provokes serious complications. The consequences can be listed:

Disorder of the functions of the digestive system.
Strong fluctuations in blood pressure.
Rapid aging process in adults.
Poor functioning of the immune system.
Pathologies of the liver, urinary organs, joints and bones.
The development of diseases such as sclerosis, shaking paralysis, cancerous tumors, senile dementia.
Problems with conception.

Signs from the nervous system

Continuing to talk about what symptoms of dehydration are noted in the first place, it is worth noting that this condition has a negative impact on the emotional sphere and mental abilities of the individual. In this case, the following pathological phenomena occur:

fatigue.
Nervousness and aggressiveness.
Lack of energy.
Anxiety.
Depression.
Deterioration in the quality of sleep.
Difficulty doing mental work.
Feeling the need to consume products containing caffeine and ethyl alcohol. These drinks are known to increase dehydration. Therefore, craving for them is a brain signal that a person needs water.
Dreams in which there are seas, rivers or lakes.

These signs are characteristic of chronic dehydration. They indicate that as a result of diseases or an unhealthy lifestyle, a person does not receive enough fluid.

Dehydration in the expectant mother

Symptoms of dehydration in women often occur during the period of gestation.

They are caused by the following reasons:

Excessive physical activity and insufficient fluid intake.
Diarrhea and bouts of vomiting as a result of intestinal infections, toxicosis or poisoning with spoiled foods.
Airplane travel. Dehydration in this case is caused by the refusal to drink a normal amount of water due to the lack of the opportunity to visit the bathroom on time (in pregnant women, urination is very frequent). In addition, the low level of air humidity disturbs the fluid balance in a woman's body.
Overheating and prolonged exposure to the sun.

It is important for a future mother to drink enough water. After all, malaise can affect not only her well-being, but also the condition of the fetus.

Dehydration in juveniles

When the following are observed:

Dry skin, lips and tongue.
Lack of tears.
Increased fatigue. The baby becomes lethargic, does not show activity.
Decreased amount of urine.
Loss of appetite.
High temperature and accelerated heart rate.

If parents notice the appearance of these symptoms in a child, they urgently need to call an ambulance team. Indeed, for minors, dehydration is especially dangerous and can quickly lead to death.

How to alleviate the patient's condition?

Assistance activities are as follows:

The person must be laid on a flat surface.
It is desirable that he was in a cool room in which air circulates well. Clothing is recommended to be removed or unbuttoned.
The patient is given to drink often, but in small portions, in small sips. The balance of fluid in the body helps to restore ordinary water, mineral water, frozen juice.
You should use special means ("Regidron", "Orasan", "Gidrovit").
A wet cloth is applied to the forehead. It is advisable to take a shower. If this is not possible, wipe the body and face with cool water.

Sometimes dehydration can be the result of frequent and loose stools. This occurs as a result of an intestinal infection or intoxication with spoiled foods. If dehydration occurs with diarrhea, the symptoms of this condition are alleviated by taking medications that stop diarrhea and the vital activity of viruses.

How to prevent the development of pathology?

To avoid dehydration, you need:

Refrain from exercising in hot weather.
Not in the sun for a long time.
Do not get carried away with sugar and alcohol.
Do not forget about the correct drinking regimen.

Talking about dehydration, symptoms in adults and the treatment of this condition, it should be added that moderate and severe pathology requires therapy in a hospital setting. Signs of mild dehydration can be managed on your own.

Summer heat is a severe test for the body, which often leads to dehydration. And this is fraught with more serious ailments. How to recognize it in the early stages? What to do at the first symptoms? What should be the diet for dehydration? Let's figure it out together.

Who is guilty

The most common cause of dehydration in summer is food poisoning with inevitable vomiting and diarrhea. Hard physical activity also causes profuse fluid loss. Overheating in the sun, violation of the drinking regime and frequent urination lead to the same result.

The first symptoms of dehydration are dry mouth, viscous saliva, high fever and nausea. They are accompanied by fatigue, drowsiness, poor appetite and unquenchable thirst. Why is dehydration dangerous? First of all, metabolic disorders. After all, water delivers vital elements to all organs. And with its lack, failures in the work of all systems begin, toxins are removed worse, cells are destroyed and immunity weakens.

Life-giving cocktails

The danger of dehydration is especially great for children and the elderly, as well as for diabetes, kidney and heart disease. In the early stages, it is easiest to restore water balance. To do this, you need to drink at least 2 liters of plain or mineral water without gas per day.

What should you drink with dehydration, when it has become serious? Special saline solutions that are in any pharmacy. However, they can be made at home. Dilute in a liter of boiled water ½ tsp. soda, 1 tsp. salt and 2-4 tbsp. l. Sahara. For another folk recipe, take 250 ml of orange juice, stir in it ½ tsp. salt, 1 tsp. soda and bring the volume to 1 liter with water. Take these drugs 200 ml in small sips 3 times a day.

Salvation Army

It is important to know not only what to drink when dehydrated, but also what to eat. And here ahead of the products of all - summer vegetables. For example, 85% consists of water, and its pulp is saturated with vitamins A, C, K, as well as potassium, magnesium, zinc and folic acid. Such a shock combination improves metabolism, nourishes the heart and normalizes sugar levels.

The cucumber contains even more invaluable moisture. But its main advantage is the abundance of fiber and special enzymes that stimulate digestion. In addition, cucumber protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation. That is why the most useful summer salads and cosmetic masks are obtained from it. When dehydrated, it is also useful to lean on spinach, celery, radishes, cabbage and tomatoes.

fruit healing

Given that the cause of dehydration is the lack of fluid and vitamins, you can make up for their loss with the help of fruits and berries. In this regard, the most useful, more than 90% consisting of water. In addition, it is rich in antioxidants that protect cells from destruction.

Any citrus fruit is an invaluable gift for the body with a lack of moisture. Their juicy flesh gushes with vitamins A, C and E, indispensable for good health. To get them in full, it is best to make a smoothie. Beat in a blender 150 g of pitted apricots, 200 ml of yogurt, 250 ml of orange juice and 1 tsp. vanilla sugar. And with dehydration, it is recommended to include apples, plums, kiwi and any berries in the diet.

Sour milk therapy

Fermented milk products will help to cure in the shortest possible time and completely avoid dehydration. The undisputed champion in this area is medium-fat kefir. It quickly restores the disturbed intestinal microflora and tones the rest of the digestive organs. It has been proven that kefir fights well with fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps and excessive sweating.

Not inferior to him in the beneficial properties of Greek yogurt. Lactic acid bacteria are a powerful nourishment for a failed digestive system and a weakened immune system. A balanced combination of proteins and carbohydrates not only saturates the body with energy, but also normalizes metabolic processes. Ripe strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries will help enhance their action.

With the world on a string

There are several other foods that are helpful in preventing dehydration. First of all, it is beans with its very successful set of elements. Iron improves the flow of oxygen to cells, zinc improves carbohydrate metabolism, sulfur prevents intestinal infections.

Being a generous source of slow-acting carbohydrates, buckwheat does a great job of reducing energy breakdown. Its active substances stimulate hematopoiesis and increase the elasticity of blood vessels. In addition, the body absorbs buckwheat easily, thereby obtaining a huge supply of vitamins.

There are reasons to include eggs in the treatment menu, which improve the functioning of the liver and bile ducts. The abundance of iron in conjunction with vitamin E helps to quickly restore strength. In addition, eggs protect the skin from UV rays, keeping it youthful.

Remember, the best treatment for dehydration is prevention. Drink plenty of fluids, eat right, and be less likely to be under the scorching sun without protection. And if the anxiety symptoms cannot be overcome, contact your doctor immediately.

Everyone knows about the benefits of water, but sometimes we don’t even know about the lack of it in the body. Meanwhile, Bad mood, anxiety, depression, insomnia - these are perhaps the most harmless manifestations of dehydration, the cause of which is the lack of the habit of drinking water.

Dehydration is a state of lack of water necessary for chemical and metabolic processes that do not stop for a single moment throughout our lives.

The human body mainly consists of water, but most of it cannot participate in vital ongoing processes that require only fresh water. "Old", drunk yesterday and even a few hours ago, has become history.

Water is the second most important substance necessary for life after oxygen. Water deficiency causes severe stress, which changes the hormonal balance, increases the concentration of blood, and the acidity of the body.

Stress triggers the often irreversible processes of development of mental, cardiac, endocrine, cancerous diseases, destroys the cells of the spinal cord and brain, bone tissue, which leads to osteoporosis.

Pain is a sure sign of dehydration

Doctor and scientist Fereydun Batmanghelidj, author of the book “Your body asks for water”, who has devoted more than 20 years to studying water metabolism and the phenomenon of pain, considers pain a sure but ignored sign of a lack of water in the body.

If the pain was not the result of an injury or infection, then it is a signal of water deficiency in the place where it arose.

Pain is the body's cry for lack of water to flush out the area affected by the dehydration of toxins and hyperacidity, which are products of metabolism.

Nerve cells register changes in the chemical environment in the affected area and transmit. The brain tries to tell us about the problem through pain.

Critical signs of dehydration:

heartburn,
dyspepsia (indigestion when the stomach "stands"),
back pain,
rheumatoid joint pain,
leg pain when walking
muscle pain,
pain with colitis and constipation,
pain in the region of the heart,
morning sickness and vomiting during pregnancy indicates thirst for the fetus and mother,
bad breath,
talking in a dream.

F. Batmanghelidj in the course of medical practice proved that sufficient water intake can get rid of pain and the causes of many ailments.

Thirst for the brain will turn into depression

With depleted water supplies, the brain, which consists of 85% of water, is subject to the greatest dehydration, nine trillion of its cells constantly need it. In conditions of water shortage, the amount of energy is sharply reduced, which is reflected, first of all, on the sense organs, forming in them

Sensual signs of thirst:

premature fatigue,
anxiety,
irritability,
flushed face,
depression,
heaviness in the head
despondency,
weakening of sexual desire,
agoraphobia (fear of open spaces)
eating habits,
craving for alcohol, smoking, drugs.

These signs may indicate the initial stages of depression. A person, faced with an emotional problem, fixates on it, he is not able to perceive any other information and respond to it with the necessary actions.

Problems absorb him so much that for a period of time, sober thinking and normal behavior are absent.

Of such kind the inefficiency of action is called depression, which can become a prerequisite for chronic fatigue.

Batmanghelidj's advice:

if in the morning you get out of bed and join in the daily life, then your body and brain are dehydrated. The best tonic drink for the brain is a glass of pure water, which can bring the brain out of apathy in just a couple of minutes.

According to Batmanghelidj's theory, the lack of water in the brain tissues provokes constant social stress, which is accompanied by feelings of fear, insecurity, anxiety, frequent family and emotional problems.

All-consuming emotional and mental activity is necessary for a person, it contributes to the formation of personality, forms and tempers character, develops the ability to cope with one's own negative emotions.

Usually short-term, quickly passes if you are surrounded by care, love and mutual understanding, which help resolve any conflicts.

Recently, however, the number of people falling into prolonged depression due to life's difficulties has increased. The help of antidepressant drugs is very doubtful, they are becoming less and less safe for the psyche, and have side effects in the form of a negative perception of the world, loss of empathy for others and for oneself, and the appearance of thoughts of suicide.

Mechanism of stress in dehydration. What depletes the body

With a shortage of water in the body, he has to work in an emergency mode: start physiological processes, as with any other stress, mobilize all his reserves and use up water reserves.

Thus, the chain of events is observed:

dehydration - stress - consumption of water reserves - further dehydration.

In any stressful situation, the human body prepares for action - to fight or flee. He cannot explain the fact that modern man has no one to run away from, and no one to fight with. The reactions laid down at the genetic level work invariably: either run or fight. And they work anyway where: at work, at home or in transport.

When this happens:

the release of powerful hormones that maintain "combat readiness" throughout the stress (endorphins, prolactin, vasopressin),
release of cortisone
activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS).

Endorphin. This natural drug or hormone of joy maintains a high concentration in the blood during all the stress. Endorphins increase the pain threshold: if an injury occurs, then a person does not feel the fullness of pain at first, which allows him to take the necessary actions to save. In women, endorphins are activated more often in connection with menstruation and childbearing. This explains their better resistance to stress and pain, as well as a higher predisposition to alcoholism (more on that later).

Prolactin is responsible for the production of breast milk in a nursing woman, it is produced in all types of mammals. Thanks to this hormone, milk is produced even under conditions of stress, leading to dehydration of the mother's body. Prolactin is in many ways similar to growth hormones, but its main target is the reproductive organs.

Scientists have made a sensational conclusion: dehydration is one of the main reasons for the development of cancerous tumors. The risk group consists of people who are in a state of prolonged depression: Excessive production of prolactin provokes the development of breast cancer in women, and prostate cancer in men.

Strange as it may sound, but an effective prevention of this terrible disease is the habit of drinking water regularly, especially in a state of stress.

An increase in prolactin in the body, which means the development of cancerous tumors, can also occur under the influence of aspartame, a sugar substitute found in more than 5,000 foods.

Vasopressin- a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, is involved in the rational distribution of water.

Under conditions of dehydration, vasopressin provides water primarily to the cells of the brain, nerves, kidneys, and liver. To do this, he lends blood vessels, forcibly taking water from them, which increases the viscosity of the blood.

In addition, vasopressin increases the concentration of urine, forcing the kidneys to retain water. Thanks to vasopressin, the adrenal glands during stress synthesize powerful anti-inflammatory agents (cortisol, cortisone, etc.), which increase the pressure on the kidneys a thousand times. There is a delay of salt in the kidneys, and the volume of extracellular water and its inflow into the most important cells increases.

If the level of vasopressin is low, general dehydration occurs, including the most important brain cells. The production of vasopressin is significantly suppressed by alcohol, caffeinated drinks, tea and coffee.

Alcohol under stress, it reduces the production of vasopressin, the body has to intensively produce other anti-stress hormones, including endorphins. Women who become dehydrated while taking alcoholic beverages are at an increased risk of developing chronic alcoholism.

This is due to their natural tendency to increase the synthesis of endorphins during menstruation and childbirth.

It takes three years for women to become completely dependent on alcohol, for men it usually takes seven years.

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) It is activated in the kidneys with a decrease in the body's reserves of water and salt, the lack of which leads to dehydration.

The RAS stimulates increased salt intake to induce thirst and hence water intake. RAS, like vasopressin, causes constriction of capillaries and blood vessels, squeezing out all the fluid from them for more important organs.

The lack of salt in the body leads to a devastating lack of water in the extracellular space, contributes to high blood pressure and the development of chronic diseases. With a deficiency of salt, the salivary glands produce kinins - substances that stimulate salivary glands and increased salivation, as well as activating the RAS.

Warning signs of dehydration are

high blood pressure,
vasoconstriction (headache),
dry mouth.

What is the risk of replacing water with tea, coffee and carbonated drinks

These drinks contain natural stimulants of the nervous system: caffeine and theophylline. They have a strong diuretic effect and aggravate dehydration. The caffeine content in one cup: coffee - 85 mg, tea or cola - approximately 50 mg.

Caffeine releases energy even when the body does not need it at all. With the constant replacement of water with caffeine-containing drinks, the body loses the ability to produce hydroelectric energy necessary for normal life.

Excess caffeine undermines health and leads to:

to the inability of prolonged concentration of attention in young people,
to chronic fatigue
inhibits memory development learning processes,
impairs vision,
exhausts the heart muscle
disrupts the functioning of the heart and blood vessels,
provokes diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, allergic, cancerous,
destruction of nerve tissue occurs at a rate exceeding their natural regeneration. Outwardly, this process manifests itself in the form of chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis.

Thus,
The causes of chronic unintentional dehydration are:

lack of feeling of thirst and desire to drink water, which after 20 years is steadily weakening,
changing water to drinks.

The era of evolution "rewarded" us with a reduced sense of thirst. We kill him completely by using drinks instead of water that satisfy the feeling, but not the very need for water. Daily rate of water: 20 ml - per 1 kg of weight. If you lead an active lifestyle or lose weight, then the norm is 30 ml per kilogram.

The consequence of dehydration is always a weak immune system. This is a forced measure of the body, which uses all its reserves to provide water to the most important organs. He has no time to fight infections and DNA damage if the brain is thirsty.

With the elimination of dehydration, immunity is restored and easily copes with the causes of ailments and even cancer.

The eminent doctor and scientist Batmanghelidj is sure, and I completely agree with him:

You can't improve your health without changing your lifestyle. Any pain suggests that we live wrong. Traditional medicines are not able to cure, they only drown out diseases, but they do not remove the causes. If you rely on medicines, you can lose precious time and health. With the use of the required amount of water, the body is able to cleanse itself and improve health in a few months.

Think of water as a healing fluid that gives life. Dissolve all your anxieties and ailments in it.

One of thousands of reviews:

Dear Doctor Batmanghelidj!
I suffer from multiple sclerosis. Recently (four weeks) I have been using the greatest discovery in the field of health (2 liters of water daily, no caffeine and a little salt as a seasoning). I can say with full confidence that I am deeply shocked by the amazing results. Before that, I suffered from swelling of my legs for years, and now, after two weeks, the swelling has practically disappeared.

I am also grateful for the release of the addiction to caffeine and sugar. I am full of energy and lust for life. I forgot what the slump is that usually follows caffeine-induced energy. Breaking out of the vicious cycle, I became calmer, more balanced and much more productive at work, I became more optimistic about things and more attentive to the natural rhythms of my body, which I used to drown out with caffeine.
Your discovery really brought me back to life.
Sincerely yours, John Kuna.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

What is poisoning?

Poisoning- This is a pathological condition in which bacteria, any toxins or other toxic substances enter the human body. These substances can enter the body in various ways ( with food, inhaled air or through the skin), however, all of them certainly cause damage to various organs and disruption of their functions, which is accompanied by corresponding clinical manifestations and creates a danger to human health and life.

Classification of poisoning

In clinical practice, it is customary to classify poisoning according to several criteria. This helps doctors determine the cause of the disease, as well as make a diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

Depending on the route of entry into the body, there are:

Food poisoning- when toxins or poisons enter the human body along with the food taken ( through the gastrointestinal tract).
Poisoning through the respiratory tract- when the toxin enters the body with the inhaled air ( in the form of steam or gas).
Percutaneous poisoning- when toxins enter the skin or mucous membranes of a person, and through them are absorbed into the systemic circulation.
Poisoning, in which the toxin is administered directly intravenously or intramuscularly.

Depending on the type of poisonous substance, there are:

food intoxication ( food poisoning) - in this case, the disease is caused by eating foods that have been contaminated with any dangerous bacteria or their toxins.
Gas poisoning- develops when inhaling any toxic gases.
Chemical poisoning- chemicals include various toxins and poisons, which under normal conditions should not enter the human body.
Poisoning with caustic substances ( acids or alkalis) - allocated to a separate group, due to the peculiarities of their clinical manifestations.
Medicine poisoning- develops with improper use of drugs.
Ethanol poisoning ( alcohol, which is part of all alcoholic beverages) - also allocated to a separate group, which is explained by the specific effect of alcohol on the human body.

Depending on the rate of development of symptoms, there are:

Acute poisoning- develops with a single intake of a large dose of a toxic substance into the body and is accompanied by the rapid appearance and rapid development of clinical symptoms.
chronic poisoning- occurs with prolonged intake of small doses of toxin in the body and may be asymptomatic for some time, but ultimately also leads to dysfunction of vital organs and systems.

Causes, types and pathogenesis ( development mechanism) food poisoning, infections and toxicoinfections

As follows from the above, poisoning can develop when various pathogenic bacteria enter the body, as well as toxic substances produced by them ( in the latter case, we are talking about toxicoinfection). Each of these substances can affect the tissues and organs of the body in its own way, causing corresponding changes in them, which is accompanied by characteristic clinical manifestations and requires specific treatment. That is why it is extremely important to determine the type of poisonous substance in a timely manner and begin treatment. This will prevent the development of complications and save the life of the patient.

spicy food ( intestinal) poisoning in an adult ( expired food, meat, fish, eggs, milk, cottage cheese)

Acute food poisoning food intoxication) is a group of diseases in which, along with food, a person swallows any microorganisms ( bacteria, pathogenic fungi) or toxins released by pathogenic microorganisms. If such bacteria or their toxins enter the gastrointestinal tract ( gastrointestinal tract), they affect the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, leading to the appearance of classic signs of poisoning ( abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and so on). Moreover, these toxins can be absorbed through the gastrointestinal mucosa and enter the systemic circulation, affecting distant organs and leading to complications.

Food poisoning can be caused by:

Spoiled meat. Meat is an ideal breeding ground for the growth and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria ( staphylococci, salmonella, E. coli and others). These bacteria may be present in meat products initially ( for example, if the slaughtered animal was infected with some kind of infection). In this case, infectious agents or their toxins ( bacteria released into the environment during growth) can enter the human body through the consumption of insufficiently processed food ( that is, undercooked or undercooked meat). At the same time, bacteria can develop in already cooked but improperly stored meat. If it is kept out of the refrigerator for several hours or days, the number of pathogens in it may become sufficient to cause a foodborne infection.
Fish. Fish poisoning can occur for the same reasons as meat poisoning ( i.e. improper processing and improper storage of fish products). In addition, some exotic varieties of fish may contain toxic substances ( e.g. pufferfish, groupers, barracudas). In this case, the clinical manifestations of poisoning will depend on the type of poison that has entered the body. For example, the poison contained in fugu fish can cause paralysis of all muscles and respiratory arrest, which, without medical help, will inevitably lead to the death of a person. In other cases, the symptoms of poisoning may be similar to common foodborne infections.
eggs. The risk of egg poisoning is increased if waterfowl eggs are eaten ( ducks, geese). The fact is that salmonella bacteria may be present in some polluted water bodies. It can get into the meat and eggs of waterfowl, and with them ( with improper heat treatment, that is, with the use of raw eggs or soft-boiled eggs) can enter the human body. Having penetrated into the intestine, salmonella releases a special toxin that affects the mucous membrane of the intestinal wall, causing clinical manifestations of intestinal infection ( diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc.).
Milk. Poisoning from fresh domestic milk can occur if the animals that produce it ( goats, cows) are kept in unsanitary conditions. At the same time, various pathogenic bacteria may be present in the udder area of animals ( staphylococci, E. coli and so on) that will enter the milk during milking. If you drink such milk in its raw form, there is a high probability of developing food poisoning. Moreover, it is worth noting that some animals can be carriers of pathogens of particularly dangerous infections. So, for example, when drinking cow's milk, you can become infected with brucellosis, an infection caused by pathogenic microorganisms ( brucella) and accompanied by damage to many body systems.
Cottage cheese. Cottage cheese, like any lactic acid product, is an ideal breeding ground for various pathogenic bacteria. If the product is left out of the refrigerator for a long time, the number of bacteria in it increases significantly ( this is facilitated by a high ambient temperature, at which the rate of reproduction of bacteria increases). If you eat such cottage cheese, signs of an intestinal infection may appear.

Poisoning by poisonous plants ( bleached, hemlock), mushrooms ( pale grebe, fly agaric), berries ( belladonna, wolfberry)

Many plants contain substances that are toxic to the human body. The use of such plants or their fruits ( in particular, wolf berries - belladonna, wolfberry) in food may be accompanied by symptoms of food poisoning, as well as other specific manifestations ( depending on what toxin was contained in the eaten plant).

Poisoning can be caused by eating:

Beleny. The toxicity of this plant is due to its constituent substances, in particular atropine and scopolamine. When ingested, they cause general weakness, dry mouth, intense thirst, emotional and motor agitation, and dizziness. In severe cases, vision and breathing problems, loss of consciousness, convulsions, and death may occur.
Hemlock. The toxicity of this plant is due to its constituent substance - koniin. This is a strong poison, which, when it enters the gastrointestinal tract, is quickly absorbed through the mucous membrane and enters the bloodstream, affecting the central nervous system. This is manifested by progressive paralysis, in which a person loses all types of sensitivity, and also cannot move his arms or legs. The cause of death is usually paralysis of the respiratory muscles, causing the patient to stop breathing.
Pale grebe ( fly agaric). A toxin found in some fly agarics ( in particular in pale grebe) has the ability to hit ( destroy) cells of the liver and other tissues of the body, which is accompanied by a violation of the functions of vital organs and systems. Without timely assistance, a person may die from cardiovascular or liver failure.
Belladonna berries. Belladonna berries also contain atropine and scopolamine. Their poisoning has the same symptoms as henbane poisoning.
Wolfberry berries. Toxic substances of the wolfberry ( meserine and daphne) are found in all parts of the plant ( in fruits, root, leaves). When eating fruits, these toxins cause a burning sensation in the mouth. Then there is severe pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, in severe cases, convulsions occur.

Botulinum toxin poisoning

The cause of the disease is a toxin produced by the microorganism Clostridium. Disputes ( inactive forms) of this pathogen can persist for a long time in soil, silt, animal carcasses, and so on. Once in the human body, clostridium itself does not cause the development of infection, since they can only multiply under anaerobic conditions ( that is, in the absence of oxygen). Botulinum toxin infection can occur when eating poorly processed canned food ( vegetable, meat) prepared at home. In this case, in a hermetically sealed jar, clostridia begin to actively multiply, releasing botulinum toxin into the environment, which is one of the most powerful poisons known to mankind.

After entering the human gastrointestinal tract, botulinum toxin is not destroyed by acidic gastric juice, as a result of which it is easily absorbed through the mucous membrane. Entering the systemic circulation, this toxin reaches the tissues of the central nervous system and affects them, as a result of which characteristic clinical manifestations of the disease occur.

Botulinum toxin poisoning can manifest itself:

occasional vomiting and abdominal pain in the first hours after eating the contaminated product);
respiratory failure;
visual impairment;
increased blood pressure;
muscle weakness;
urination disorders and so on.

Without timely assistance, a person may die due to respiratory failure and the development of respiratory failure.

mold poisoning

Molds are fungal microorganisms that can grow on or inside various foods. When eating moldy foods, fungi can enter the gastrointestinal tract and lead to symptoms of poisoning ( nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). This is due to the fact that many fungi secrete so-called mycotoxins, which have a negative effect on various body systems.

In addition, some molds have antibacterial activity, that is, they destroy various bacteria. Under normal conditions, the intestines of a healthy person contain many bacteria that take part in the process of digestion. If mold is poisoned, these bacteria can be destroyed, resulting in disruption or slowing down the process of digestion of food. It can also lead to bloating, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, and other symptoms.

It is also worth noting that mold can be poisoned through the respiratory tract ( by inhaling particles of pathogenic fungi - for example, in pulmonary aspergillosis). At the same time, pathogenic fungi affect the lung tissue, as a result of which frequent coughing with the release of red bloody sputum ( hemoptysis), shortness of breath ( feeling short of breath), fever, chest pain, and so on.

Vitamin poisoning

Vitamin poisoning can be observed with their frequent use in large doses. However, the clinical manifestations of the disease may vary ( depending on what vitamin the person was poisoned with).

Poisoning can occur with an overdose:

Vitamin A. Since this vitamin affects the organ of vision, one of the first signs of poisoning will be double vision. Also, there may be nausea and vomiting due to the action of the vitamin on the nervous system. Patients may complain of increased drowsiness, headache, fever. Sometimes a skin rash may occur. After stopping the use of the vitamin, all the described symptoms disappear within 2 to 3 days. With chronic use of vitamin A in large doses, skin itching, hair loss, dryness and flaking of the skin can be noted.
Vitamin D Vitamin D poisoning can also be acute ( when taking a very large dose) or chronic ( when used in high doses for a long time). In acute poisoning, patients complain of general weakness, nausea and vomiting, headaches and dizziness. In severe cases, there may be an increased heartbeat, fever, convulsions. With chronic intoxication with vitamin D, there is a decrease in appetite, increased irritability, and indigestion ( nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation). If left untreated, irreversible damage to the cardiovascular, bone and other body systems can occur.
Vitamin C. Long-term use of this vitamin in large doses can cause damage to the central nervous system, which will be manifested by insomnia, fever and a feeling of heat, headaches, dizziness, nausea. There may also be dryness of the skin and mucous membranes throughout the body.
Vitamin B1. Poisoning with this vitamin can provoke a feeling of weakness or fatigue, insomnia, headaches, loss of appetite. In severe cases, there may be damage to internal organs ( kidneys, liver).
Vitamin B6. Chronic poisoning with this vitamin can be accompanied by damage to the peripheral nervous system, impaired sensitivity in the limbs, a tendency to develop seizures and weight loss.
Vitamin B12. The use of this vitamin in large doses can disrupt the functioning of the thyroid gland ( an organ that produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism). It has also been noted that prolonged chronic overdose may contribute to the development of malignant tumors.
folic acid. An overdose of this vitamin is manifested by nausea and vomiting, increased nervous irritability and insomnia, and headaches. In severe cases, there may be damage to the cardiovascular system and kidneys.
Vitamin E. Chronic poisoning with this vitamin is manifested by headaches, general weakness and increased fatigue, nausea, and is also accompanied by a decrease in the body's defenses ( increased risk of microbial infections).

protein poisoning

Eating a large amount of protein foods ( predominantly meat) may be accompanied by an increase in the concentration of proteins in the blood. This can lead to disruption of the functioning of various organs and systems.

Protein poisoning can manifest itself:

Nausea or vomiting- protein food inhibits peristalsis ( motor activity) of the gastrointestinal tract, in connection with which the digestion process is disturbed.
Bloating- due to impaired intestinal motility and the development of gas-forming microflora.
insomnia- protein food stimulates the central nervous system, and therefore there may be a violation of the process of falling asleep, as well as increased nervous excitability or irritability.
An increase in body temperature– it is also associated with the excitation of the central nervous system.
Darkening of the urine- this is due to the release of by-products of protein metabolism through the kidneys.

water poisoning ( water poisoning)

water poisoning ( hyperhydration), in fact, is not a poisoning. This is a pathological condition of the body, in which there is a violation of water-electrolyte metabolism. The reason for this may be severe vomiting, accompanied by loss of electrolytes ( if at the same time a person replenishes the loss of fluid with water that does not contain electrolytes), impaired renal function ( in this case, the fluid is not excreted from the body), excessive intravenous fluids, and so on. In addition, water poisoning can be observed when it is taken in excess for a short period of time. So, for example, drinking 2.5 - 3 liters of pure water for an hour can lead to overhydration, disruption of water and electrolyte balance, and even death.

salt poisoning ( sodium)

From a chemical point of view, table salt is sodium chloride, that is, it contains the trace elements sodium and chlorine. When a large amount of salt is consumed in a short period of time, a person may develop hypernatremia - a pathological condition accompanied by an increase in the concentration of sodium in the blood ( norm - 135 - 145 mmol / liter). This can lead to disruption of the functioning of vital organs, as well as provoke the development of formidable complications from the central nervous system.

One of the first symptoms of salt poisoning is thirst ( desire to drink water). This is explained by the fact that an increased concentration of sodium in the blood is recorded by special sensitive cells at the level of the brain. In order to "dilute" the blood and reduce the sodium concentration in it, the body needs to get a large amount of fluid from the outside, as a result of which a strong ( irresistible) thirst.

Other signs of salt poisoning are:

general weakness;
disorientation in time and space;
loss of consciousness;
increased neuromuscular excitability;
wrinkling and dryness of the skin ( due to the release of fluid from the cells into the vascular bed).

Left untreated, a person can die due to damage to blood vessels and brain tissue.

Poisoning with mineral fertilizers ( nitrates)

Nitrates are chemicals salts of nitric acid), which are used as fertilizers. Nitrates can be found in large quantities in foods that have been processed by them during the growing process. When entering the human gastrointestinal tract, nitrates turn into so-called nitrites - toxic substances that affect red blood cells, making it impossible for them to transport oxygen. At the same time, a person begins to suffer from oxygen starvation ( fatigue, headaches, dizziness). In severe cases, death is possible.

Poisoning with rat poison

In order to combat rats and other small rodents, special poisonous substances are used. After entering the body along with the bait ( food) these poisons disrupt the functioning of the vital organs of rodents, which leads to their death. It is worth noting that all these poisons are to some extent toxic to humans if they get into his gastrointestinal tract.

A person can get poisoned:

Naphthylthiocarbamide. If a person eats this poison, after a few minutes or hours he will have severe vomiting, as a result of which part of the toxin will be removed from the gastrointestinal tract. If the toxin enters the systemic circulation in high concentration, it can cause damage to the circulatory system, as well as the liver and lungs, which can lead to death of a person.
Ratindan. When ingested, the active substance of this poison can be absorbed into the systemic circulation, where it disrupts the activity of the blood coagulation system ( which normally regulates hemorrhage control). Immediately after poisoning, the patient may experience nausea or vomiting once. After a few days, there may be frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding after injuries, and so on. In more severe cases, hemoptysis may occur ( coughing up blood from the lungs), as well as the appearance of blood in the stool and urine. If you do not start specific treatment, after a few days you may experience a feeling of general fatigue and lethargy, which is associated with chronic blood loss. Death can occur from a pronounced decrease in the concentration of red cells in the blood and oxygen starvation of the brain, as well as from damage to other vital organs ( liver, kidney, central nervous system, respiratory system and so on).
Brodifacoum. This drug also disrupts the activity of the blood coagulation system. Signs of poisoning them are similar to those of ratindan poisoning.

alcohol poisoning ( ethyl alcohol, vodka, wine, beer, surrogates)

Poisoning with alcoholic beverages can be observed when they are consumed in large quantities, as well as when drinking low-quality alcoholic beverages. It should be noted that active "intoxicating") the substance of all alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol ( ethanol). The rate of development of intoxication, as well as the severity of symptoms of poisoning, depends on its concentration. So, for example, the concentration of ethanol in vodka is 40%, while in beer it is up to 8-10%. It follows that the symptoms of ethanol intoxication will occur more quickly when drinking large amounts of vodka than beer or other ( less strong) alcoholic beverages.

Ethyl alcohol poisoning can manifest itself:

Nausea and vomiting. These are natural protective reflexes, the purpose of which is to remove excess toxic substances from the body, as well as to prevent its further intake.
Dizziness and confusion. This symptom is due to the effect of alcohol on brain cells.
Nervous excitement or drowsiness. In the initial stages of intoxication, alcohol stimulates the central nervous system ( CNS), in connection with which the patient may behave excitedly or aggressively, see hallucinations ( something that doesn't really exist) and so on. With an increase in the concentration of ethanol in the blood, the activity of the central nervous system is inhibited, and therefore drowsiness and lethargy appear. In severe cases, a person can fall into a coma - a life-threatening condition in which the patient does not respond to external stimuli.
Redness of the skin ( especially faces). Ethyl alcohol causes the expansion of superficial blood vessels, causing blood to flow to the skin, changing its color.
The presence of a specific alcoholic smell. Alcohol is partially excreted through the lungs ( in the form of vapor). The higher its concentration in the blood, the more pronounced will be the alcoholic smell from the patient's mouth. This symptom will distinguish alcoholic coma ( extreme depression of consciousness) from other diseases in which a person can also lose consciousness.
Breathing disorder. This may be due to damage to the central nervous system, as well as blockage of the respiratory tract by vomit ( if vomiting occurred while the person was unconscious).

It is worth noting that other chemicals can be used to achieve the state of intoxication ( alcohol substitutes - ethylene glycol, butyl alcohol, colognes and cosmetic lotions, solvents, etc.). Surrogates are more toxic than ordinary alcoholic beverages, and therefore signs of poisoning and intoxication ( nausea, vomiting, damage to the liver, kidneys and other organs) develop much faster. So, for example, after drinking only 30 ml of butyl alcohol, a person can die.

Methyl alcohol poisoning

Methyl alcohol ( methanol) is used in the chemical industry as a solvent and for other purposes. It also has a moderate intoxicating effect, but much less pronounced than ethyl alcohol. It is strictly forbidden to eat methanol, since the products of its metabolism ( in particular formaldehyde and formic acid) are extremely toxic to the body. Accumulating in tissues and organs, they can cause damage to the central nervous system, the organ of vision, the liver and the cardiovascular system, and in severe cases lead to the death of the patient. The lethal dose of methanol is 25 - 100 ml ( depending on the age and weight of the person).

Methyl alcohol poisoning manifests itself:

Nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness- the mechanism of occurrence of these symptoms is the same as with ethyl alcohol poisoning.
Paroxysmal abdominal pain- they are caused by the accumulation of by-products of methanol metabolism in the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract and a violation of the contractile activity of the stomach and intestines.
visual impairment ( up to its complete loss.) - the development of this symptom is also due to the toxic effect of formaldehyde and formic acid at the level of the optic nerve ( innervates the retina of the eye, which perceives light).
Loss of consciousness, convulsions and coma- develop as a result of severe intoxication of the body with formic acid, which can lead to the death of the patient within a day.

Symptoms and signs of food poisoning and toxic infections

At the initial stages of the development of the disease, the symptoms and signs of all food poisoning are similar to each other. The entry of a toxic substance into the body triggers a series of protective reactions aimed at removing it from the body. In the later stages of development, specific signs of poisoning may appear, depending on which toxin the patient has eaten ( violations of the functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, damage to the liver, kidneys, and so on).

Food poisoning can manifest itself:

nausea and vomiting;
diarrhea ( loose stools, diarrhea);
pain in the abdomen;
an increase in body temperature;
headaches;
dizziness;
body intoxication.

Nausea and vomiting

As mentioned earlier, nausea and vomiting are protective mechanisms that should slow down the entry of toxic substances into the systemic circulation. Once the toxin or poison enters the gastrointestinal tract ( gastrointestinal tract), it almost immediately begins to be absorbed through the gastric mucosa ( a little later through the intestinal mucosa). This leads to certain changes in the patient's blood, triggering nervous and hormonal defense reactions.

Under normal conditions, after eating, peristalsis is activated ( motor activity) gastrointestinal tract. This promotes mixing of food with digestive juices and absorption of nutrients. As soon as the body "understands" that poisoning has occurred, the motility of the gastrointestinal tract immediately stops. At the same time, food ceases to be absorbed, stagnates in the stomach and stretches it, which creates an unpleasant feeling of nausea. After that, the so-called anti-peristaltic waves appear, that is, such muscle contractions of the gastrointestinal tract that push its contents in the opposite direction ( that is, from the small intestine to the stomach, and from the stomach through the esophagus to the oral cavity). This is how vomiting occurs, the purpose of which is to remove potentially dangerous products from the digestive tract, which will prevent further absorption of toxins.

diarrhea ( loose stools, diarrhea)

Diarrhea can occur due to the activity of pathogenic microorganisms that have entered the gastrointestinal tract ( gastrointestinal tract) along with any products. So, for example, when consuming salmonella-infected ( pathogenic microorganisms) food, the toxins they produce stimulate the release of salts and water into the intestinal lumen, which is manifested by massive watery diarrhea, which can be repeated several dozen times a day. In this case, the body loses a large amount of fluid and electrolytes, which can endanger the life of the patient.

In other cases, the development of diarrhea may not be associated with the pathogen itself, but is a consequence of the development of a pathological process in the gastrointestinal tract. The fact is that after the onset of poisoning, the motility of the stomach and intestines slows down, as a result of which the digestion process is disturbed. Food from the small intestine and stomach can be removed from the GI tract by vomiting, while the contents of the large intestine remain in it. Under normal conditions, a certain part of the water is absorbed precisely through the mucous membrane of the final sections of the gastrointestinal tract ( that is, through the mucosa of the large intestine). However, due to the slowdown in peristalsis, the absorption process is also disturbed, as a result of which water and intestinal contents are released through the anus in the form of loose stools or diarrhea. Such diarrhea usually recurs 1-2 times and does not pose a danger to the patient's life, since the loss of fluid and electrolytes is not as pronounced as in the first case.

Stomach ache ( stomach, intestines)

Pain in case of poisoning may be associated with damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach or intestines. The fact is that under normal conditions it is covered with a thin layer of mucus, which protects it from the traumatic effects of food products, as well as from acidic gastric juice. In case of poisoning, the secretion of this mucus is disrupted, which leads to damage to the gastric mucosa and its inflammation ( gastritis). As a result, the patient may feel acute, paroxysmal pain in the upper abdomen, which occurs with a frequency of 1 to 2 times per minute and lasts from 5 to 20 seconds. The mechanism of pain in this case is due to peristaltic ( contractile) waves of the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract ( gastrointestinal tract). When these muscles contract, the nerve endings of the stomach wall are irritated, which is felt by the patient as a cutting, poorly localized pain ( the patient cannot pinpoint exactly where it hurts).

Drawing pains in the lower abdomen may be due to the transition of the infectious process to the large intestine, which will be accompanied by the appearance of diarrhea. Under normal conditions, the peristaltic wave is accompanied by a short-term ( for 3 - 5 seconds) muscle contraction, which helps to push the intestinal contents. With the development of poisoning, this function is impaired, as a result of which the muscular contractions of the intestine become too long ( that is, the muscles remain in a contracted state for 10 to 20 seconds or more). In this case, the metabolism in them is disturbed, which is accompanied by the appearance of characteristic pains.

Increase in body temperature

An increase in body temperature during poisoning is also a protective reaction of the body. The fact is that many pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins can only exist at a certain temperature, and when the ambient temperature rises, they die or are destroyed. That is why, in the process of evolution, this protective reaction was developed by the body - as soon as any foreign substance enters the systemic circulation, a number of biochemical processes are launched, the final result of which is an increase in body temperature.

With any food poisoning, body temperature will rise to at least 37 to 38 degrees during the first 6 to 12 hours after eating bad or contaminated food. If the body's defenses cope with the infection, body temperature returns to normal within a day. At the same time, it is worth noting that infection with some pathogenic microorganisms or toxins can be accompanied by an extremely pronounced increase in temperature ( up to 39 - 40 and more degrees).

Headache

Headache can accompany poisoning if toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract enter the bloodstream in large quantities. This activates the body's immune system, the purpose of which is to find and destroy all foreign agents that have entered the systemic circulation. During the operation of this system, so-called biologically active substances are produced that fight foreign microorganisms and their toxins. However, these substances also have negative effects, in particular a vasodilating effect. When toxic substances enter the systemic circulation, as well as when exposed to biologically active substances, an expansion of the blood vessels of the brain is noted, as a result of which part of the fluid from the bloodstream passes into the surrounding tissues. At the same time, the meningeal membrane of the brain, rich in sensitive nerve endings, is also stretched. All this leads to the occurrence of severe headaches, which can appear within the first day after the onset of poisoning and subside only after the patient's condition is normalized ( that is, after removal of foreign toxins and subsidence of immune responses).

It is worth noting that in case of alcohol poisoning, a headache also occurs due to the expansion of blood vessels and swelling of brain tissues. However, in this case, ethyl alcohol itself has a vasodilating effect ( contained in alcoholic beverages), and the body's immune system is not involved in the pathological process.

Dehydration

Dehydration is a pathological condition characterized by the loss of large amounts of fluid from the body. The cause of dehydration in case of poisoning can be frequent vomiting or diarrhea, during which a large amount of fluid is removed from the body. Moreover, an increase in body temperature can contribute to the development of dehydration, since in this case a person begins to sweat, and along with sweat, loses fluid.

Since it is not always possible to recover losses ( for example, if the patient vomits again when taking fluids), already 4-6 hours after the onset of the disease, the patient may show the first signs of dehydration. If treatment is not started on time, the body will continue to lose fluid and vital electrolytes ( chlorine, sodium and others), which over time can lead to dysfunction of vital organs or even death.

Dehydration manifests itself:

Decreased elasticity and dryness of the skin. Due to the fact that the liquid leaves the skin, it becomes dry and less elastic, loses its usual luster.
Dryness of mucous membranes. This symptom is clearly visible in the oral cavity, tongue and lips ( mucous membranes become dry, and then covered with characteristic crusts).
Pale skin. Due to the decrease in the volume of circulating blood, there is a "closure" of peripheral blood vessels ( especially in the skin), which allows you to maintain blood circulation in vital organs ( brain, heart, liver) at normal levels. The pallor of the skin in this case occurs due to the fact that the amount of blood in its vessels decreases.
Retraction of the eyeballs. Under normal conditions, a layer of adipose tissue is located between the eyeball and the back wall of the orbit. It supports and fixes the eye, preventing its damage in case of injury. During dehydration, fluid from adipose tissue is also removed, as a result of which it ( adipose tissue) becomes thinner, and the eyeballs are displaced deep into the orbits.
Rapid heartbeat. With moderate or severe dehydration, the volume of circulating blood decreases. To compensate for the losses and maintain the blood supply to the organs at a normal level, the heart has to pump blood at a faster rate.
Decreased amount of urine. As the amount of fluid in the body decreases, protective mechanisms are launched, the purpose of which is to prevent further loss of water. One of these mechanisms is a decrease in the rate of urine formation in the kidneys.

Dizziness

Dizziness can be one of the first symptoms of poisoning by certain plants and fungi, as well as poisoning with alcoholic beverages or surrogates. The reason for the development of this symptom in this case is the direct toxic effect exerted by toxic substances on the brain. At the same time, it is worth noting that dizziness can also occur with other poisonings, indicating their severe course. So, for example, with severe intoxication of the body, accompanied by dehydration ( fluid loss) and a decrease in blood pressure, there may be a violation of the blood supply to the brain cells, which will be manifested by dizziness, darkening of the eyes, or even loss of consciousness.

Body intoxication

General intoxication syndrome is a complex of symptoms that develop in the body with any food poisoning ( whatever its cause). The occurrence of this syndrome is due to the activation of the immune system and its fight against foreign agents. After removal of all toxic substances from the body, signs of general intoxication disappear ( along with the normalization of body temperature).

Intoxication of the body can manifest itself:

general weakness;
decrease in working capacity;
retardation of thinking;
drowsiness;
chills ( feeling of coldness in the extremities);
increased heartbeat;
rapid breathing.

Symptoms of food poisoning in children

Mechanisms for the development of food poisoning in children do not differ from those in adults. At the same time, it is worth remembering that in early childhood poisoning can develop faster and be more severe than in an adult. This is due to the imperfection of the protective forces and the immune system of the child's body, as well as its low compensatory capabilities. So, for example, after 2 - 4 bouts of vomiting or diarrhea, a child may develop dehydration, while in an adult this will not cause any serious disorders. That is why it is extremely important to timely identify the first signs and symptoms of poisoning and begin therapeutic measures without waiting for the deterioration of the baby's condition and the development of complications.

Poisoning in a child can manifest itself:

Tearfulness- this is especially pronounced in young children who do not yet know how to express their feelings in words ( if the child is hurt or ill, he cries).
Increased motor activity- the child may be restless, agitated.
Defensive position in bed- in case of poisoning, children also experience abdominal pain, and therefore take the characteristic “embryo” pose ( knees and elbows are pressed to the stomach, and when you try to unbend or raise them, they begin to cry).
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea- the causes of these symptoms are the same as in case of poisoning in adults.
An increase in body temperature- the temperature reaction in children may be more pronounced, as a result of which from the first day the temperature can rise to 38 - 39 degrees.
Drowsiness and impaired consciousness- these signs occur with severe intoxication of the body and require immediate hospitalization.
convulsions ( seizures) - they can occur when the child's body temperature rises above 40 degrees and is associated with impaired functioning of the nervous system.

Does blood pressure rise with poisoning?

Under normal conditions, blood pressure ( HELL) of a person is 120/80 millimeters of mercury. By itself, food poisoning does not cause an increase in blood pressure. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, when the patient develops severe vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, his blood pressure may slightly exceed the norm. This is due to an increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity ( during vomiting), as well as the activation of the body's defense systems, one of the manifestations of which is the narrowing of blood vessels and an increase in blood pressure. After the vomiting subsides, the pressure usually returns to normal within an hour.

At the same time, it should be noted that in case of severe poisoning ( that is, with the development of dehydration and other complications) may experience a drop in blood pressure below normal. This is an extremely dangerous symptom, indicating the depletion of the body's compensatory capabilities. This can disrupt the blood supply to vital organs ( first of all, the brain), as a result of which a person may experience dizziness, lose consciousness, or even fall into a coma.

Can poisoning occur without fever?

Most poisonings are characterized by an increase in body temperature, but this symptom is not always found. As mentioned earlier, an increase in temperature is a protective reaction of the body that develops when foreign microorganisms or their toxins enter the systemic circulation. However, in some poisonings, the toxic agent does not enter the systemic circulation, but exerts its pathogenic effect only at the level of the intestinal mucosa. In this case, the patient may experience some characteristic signs of poisoning ( nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain), but body temperature may remain normal or rise slightly ( up to 37 - 37.5 degrees).

The severity of poisoning ( mild, moderate, severe, fatal)

The severity of poisoning depends on the severity of damage to vital organs and systems that develops after the ingestion of a toxic substance into the body.

Depending on the severity, there are:

Light poisoning. The disease does not cause dysfunction of vital organs. Therapeutic activities can be carried out at home.
Moderate poisoning. The general condition of the patient is disturbed, which is manifested by moderate disorders of the functions of vital organs ( increased breathing and heart rate, fluctuations in blood pressure, increased body temperature, and so on). Although the patient's life is not in danger, the treatment of such poisoning is recommended to be carried out in a hospital, since otherwise the patient's general condition may worsen and complications may develop.
Severe poisoning. In this case, intoxication of the body leads to severe dysfunction of vital organs, which can be manifested by a drop in blood pressure, impaired consciousness, lack of urine ( due to dehydration and impaired urinary function of the kidneys) and so on. Treatment of such patients should be carried out exclusively in the hospital, as otherwise the risk of complications and death is high.
Extremely severe poisoning. In this case, the violation of the functions of vital organs is so pronounced that in order to save a person's life, he must be immediately hospitalized in the intensive care unit and begin specific treatment. Otherwise, death is inevitable.
Fatal poisoning. In this case, poisoning with any substances leads to the death of the patient, despite the best efforts of doctors ( if any, that is, if the patient managed to be hospitalized

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