Fighting dehydration: useful tips and home recipes. Poisoning. Classification of poisonings. Causes, types, symptoms and signs of food poisoning What can you drink for dehydration
Dehydration develops in situations where water consumption is significantly lower than the amount of moisture that the body produces through sweat, urine, and so on. In this case, it is customary to distinguish several stages of dehydration.
Occurs frequently, poses virtually no threat
The threat to life and health is very serious
Often leads to death
These indicators are typical for any age, including infants.
Dehydration in all cases is characterized not by just one sign, but by a whole “bouquet” of negative symptoms. The assessment of a person’s condition occurs comprehensively and takes into account the circumstances that could provoke the development of this pathology.
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.
When severe dehydration occurs, the following symptoms are added:
The chronic form is characterized by the following symptoms of dehydration in a child or adult:
To the above symptoms, you can separately add signs of dehydration in an infant, characteristic of this age:
Causes of dehydration in adults and children
There are quite a lot of reasons for the development of any degree of dehydration. And depending on the root cause, dehydration is usually divided into subtypes. Most of the reasons are typical for any age.
What causes dehydration?
Mortality from dehydration and “risk groups”
In modern and developed countries, death from dehydration is uncommon. However, for a number of reasons, a threat to life may arise. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of infants and children up to adolescence. Their metabolic processes go faster, and a 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 exhaustion 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.
What to do if you are dehydrated? Treatment of dehydration
If dehydration has been determined, this condition cannot be ignored. It is necessary, depending on how you feel, to apply a number of measures that will help eliminate the pathological condition, preventing the harmful effects of dehydration on the body.
In situations of more severe dehydration, in addition to drinking plenty of fluids, the following measures may be necessary:
To stabilize the amount of salts in the body in case of significant dehydration in a child or adult, it is necessary 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 spoonful of salt to lukewarm water.
Consequences of dehydration and prevention
Not only acute dehydration, but also chronic dehydration can cause serious damage to the body.
- development of mental illnesses that cannot be corrected;
Preventive measures that would unconditionally help prevent the risk of dehydration come down to:
- control over your general physical condition;
- excessive sweating;
- heatstroke;
- excessive diuresis (increased urine output, for example, while taking diuretics);
- diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus;
- Addison's disease;
- acute diarrhea;
- severe vomiting;
- low fluid intake (possibly due to severe nausea or loss of appetite).
- feeling of thirst;
- decreased sweating;
- decreased volume of urine output;
- change in urine color (to dark yellow);
- the appearance of dark circles under the eyes;
- headache;
- general weakness;
- decreased skin turgor (lack of elasticity);
- disturbances of consciousness;
- decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension);
- weight loss (not always);
- increased body temperature (more typical for dehydration in children).
- severely elevated body temperature;
- excess sugar;
- intoxication due to chemical poisoning;
- with intestinal infection with acute vomiting;
- with diarrhea;
- blood loss due to trauma, wounds or gynecological diseases;
- heat or sunstroke;
- excessive sweating (associated with intense workouts, 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.
Even though dehydration is an unpleasant condition that entails consequences if timely assistance is not provided, 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 a lack of fluid in the body. This condition has a pronounced negative impact on the functioning of all organs and systems. The immediate cause of dehydration is a situation when the body receives less water than it loses.
Causes of dehydration
The most common causes of dehydration include:
Note: dehydration and body temperature are often interrelated. With hyperthermia against the background of a number of diseases, the loss of water by the body increases slightly.
Symptoms of dehydration
Dehydration normally stimulates the thirst center in the brain, so a 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. At the same time, diuresis is reduced and the level of sweating decreases. 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 brain cells are the most sensitive to dehydration, so one of the most important signs of severe dehydration is confusion. The development of coma is also possible.
Important signs of dehydration:
Important: Dehydration in children is always manifested by a decrease in the baby’s activity.
Water shortage requires timely and adequate compensation. When there is a lack of fluid in a person’s 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 through water. Their lack causes disruption 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 loss of potassium and sodium ions), blood pressure drops to dangerous levels. 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 state of shock are:
Frequent dehydration in some cases can cause the appearance of immunodeficiency conditions, 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 do in case of dehydration?
First of all, you need to drink as much fluid as possible. It is better if it is clean water or special pharmaceutical solutions for rehydration. In particular, the drug Regidron will help restore normal levels of electrolytes.
Do not consume alcoholic beverages (such as beer). Their diuretic properties will only worsen dehydration.
What can others do to treat dehydration?
If signs of dehydration appear in an infant or child under 10 years of age, you should urgently call an ambulance. Intravenous infusions of drugs may be required to replenish the lack of fluid.
If an adult experiences a sharp decrease in blood pressure and there is a disturbance of consciousness, it is also necessary to call an ambulance, since patients need to undergo a set of anti-shock measures. Severe dehydration always requires intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement.
Preventing dehydration
The human body is on average 70% water. Therefore, the lack of this vital compound and the electrolytes dissolved in it quickly disrupts the functional activity of a number of organs and systems.
Dehydration is one of the pathological conditions that is much easier to prevent than to subsequently eliminate.
It is necessary to maintain a drinking regime throughout the day, i.e. 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 high ambient temperatures and during physical activity is 1 liter per hour!
It is especially important to ensure that your child consumes an adequate amount of water. Infants are at risk for dehydration (especially if diarrhea and vomiting develop).
Symptoms of dehydration in children under one year of age
note: In hot weather, an active child should drink at least 150 ml of water every half hour.
You also need to carefully monitor the drinking regime of elderly and senile relatives - dehydration can develop very quickly in them due to age-related characteristics of the body.
In acute diseases, especially those associated with increased body temperature, you need to drink 1.5-2 times more fluid than usual.
You will receive more detailed information about the symptoms, methods of prevention and treatment of dehydration by watching the video review:
Yulia Viktorova, medical observer
Each of our bodies consists of approximately 80% liquid.. Blood, most organs, the spinal cord and brain, eyes, and every cell of the body mostly consists of water, so the lack of this vital fluid inevitably leads to disruptions in the functioning of all processes in the body.
What is dehydration? Dehydration or dehydration is an unhealthy state of the body that results in a large loss of fluid in the human body, which is not replenished with the required amount of water.
Unfortunately, absolutely no one is immune from dehydration, but high-risk groups include the elderly, children, and patients with any chronic diseases.
This article will help you understand why dehydration can occur, how it manifests itself, what it leads to, and, most importantly, how to best treat dehydration at home.
Why does dehydration occur? Fluid loss can occur as a result of various factors:
Loss of 20-25% of water can be fatal, both in hot and cold weather.
To feel better in this state, it is better to simply drink hot water dissolved with a pinch of rock salt.
Degrees and types of dehydration
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 has no value until all the nutrients it contains undergo hydrolysis.
Hot temper, irritability. Irritability is a kind of maneuver, an attempt by the brain not to perform 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 a feeling of anxiety, the brain gives a signal about a severe lack of water.
Dejection, depression. Dehydration leads to a rapid depletion of amino acids, and this, in turn, can cause not just a bad mood, but even a feeling of despondency.
Depression. Water deficiency inevitably causes a deficiency of dopamine, epinephrine and norepnephrine, which can cause melancholy and depression.
Lethargy. This is a signal that you should drink water 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. A full night's sleep can lead to even greater dehydration, since a considerable amount of water is lost through sweat (while sleeping under the covers).
Unreasonable impatience. For normal functioning, the brain has to spend a lot of energy. If there is clearly not enough energy, the brain usually tries to finish the work as quickly as possible. This brain trick is often called “impatience.”
Inattention. The more saturated the brain is with water, the more energy it is allowed to spend on accumulating information in the memory departments. In exactly the same way, dehydration leads to lack of attention in children addicted to sweet soda.
Shortness of breath that is not due to infection or pulmonary disease. People who love physical activity are required to consume the required amount of water.
Strong cravings for drinks such as coffee, tea, alcohol, carbonated drinks. This way your brain informs you that you need water.
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 his thirst, even during deep sleep.
Dehydration in a child almost always results in a decrease in the child’s activity. Therefore, parents, be observant!
Complications of dehydration
What are the dangers of dehydration in the human body? Possible complications include:
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 are the dangers of dehydration?
What to do if you are dehydrated
For moderate dehydration, 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? This is the only way to more effectively restore the required fluid concentration in the body.
If it is not possible to place the patient in a room with air conditioning, be sure to place him in the shade. Wrap your body in a damp sheet or pour cool water over it.
It is important to remember that a sudden 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 severe swelling, and, in some cases, even death.
What should you drink if you are dehydrated? Prepare this solution: in one liter of warm water, dissolve one teaspoon of sugar, three-quarters of a teaspoon of salt, and half a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
Why do you need sugar, salt, juice? It is necessary not only to replenish the loss of water, but also potassium, salts, and sodium. Sugar is necessary for better absorption of salt and water.
To restore water and salt balance, you can use sports drinks or special electrolytes purchased at the pharmacy. Frozen ice water or juice is also a good tonic for the body.
Maintain a simple diet until all symptoms of dehydration go away.. When dehydration occurs, it is recommended to consume foods that contain potassium and sodium. These include tomatoes, raisins, green vegetables, nuts, potatoes, bananas, citrus fruits.
Light vegetable broths will be very useful. Over time, when signs of dehydration pass, drink about two liters of clean water daily.
If your job involves physical labor, or your body temperature is elevated, the volume of fluid you absorb should be increased.
It is useful to drink a glass of water immediately after waking up, 30 minutes before meals and an hour and a half after meals.. 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, avoid drinking alcohol, coffee, tea and carbonated drinks.
If alarming signs of dehydration persist for a long time, you should consult a doctor.. A 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 administering electrolytes through a vein.
Dehydration - symptoms and what to do
The role of fruits in treating 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 protectors of the body from dehydration.
At the first sign of dehydration, try to eat as many juicy fruits and vegetables as possible. According to some studies, such products hydrate the body twice as much as a glass of pure water.
Watery vegetables and fruits contain sugar, minerals, salts and work similarly to isotonic drinks consumed by athletes.
Vegetables and fruits that doctors recommend including in the diet: watermelon, melon, grapefruits, strawberries, cucumbers, grapes, oranges, papaya, spinach, zucchini and tomatoes. They can be eaten as a snack, made into vegetable or fruit smoothies, or added to salads.
Bananas especially deserve the utmost attention.. This is an excellent fruit that can be used to treat dehydration because, as mentioned above, along with the loss of water, the body also loses a lot of potassium.
And banana, like no other, is rich in this microelement. It is useful to eat several bananas throughout the day or make cocktails and smoothies from them.
How to prevent dehydration? Below are effective tips from doctors to protect against dehydration:
These materials will be of interest to you:
Dehydration - treatment
When the human body does not receive enough fluid or loses it due to various factors (diarrhea, vomiting, overheating of the body, etc.), dehydration occurs (dehydration). As this pathological condition progresses, it can lead to irreparable health consequences and even death. We will consider further what complications dehydration leads to, and what measures should be taken if symptoms of dehydration occur.
Consequences of dehydration
As dehydration progresses, first the volume of intracellular fluid in the body decreases, then intercellular fluid, and then water is removed from the blood.
Dehydration leads to disruption of all functions of food processing, its synthesis, delivery of vital substances, and 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 results of dehydration include:
What to do if you are dehydrated?
The main measures for treating dehydration of the body are related to the rapid 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 drink non-carbonated mineral water, as well as compotes and fruit drinks in small portions.
For moderate dehydration, oral rehydration therapy is used - taking solutions of saline rehydrants. They are a balanced mixture of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate and glucose (Regidron, Hydrovit).
In addition, for dehydration of the body, similar medications 
You can cook it yourself using the following recipes:
Severe dehydration requires intravenous infusion of rehydration solutions in a hospital setting. The disease causing dehydration is also treated.
What to do if you have food poisoning? First aid and folk remedies
Food poisoning is a condition that requires the earliest possible approach to starting treatment: after all, it will depend on whether the toxins have time to be absorbed into the blood and begin their negative impact on the body.
That is why it is so important to react to the disease in time and recognize it as food poisoning. Treatment at home is possible when the first symptoms appear, but if it has already gotten 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 small children who are not yet three years old, as well as women during pregnancy, it is especially important to take time. After all, some still cannot clearly tell what worries them, while others risk infecting the fetus developing in their womb with toxins. Both of them are quite weak in terms of immunity, antibiotics are not recommended for them, and the development of stages of intoxication in both the child and the expectant mother can pass extremely quickly.
Typically this diagnosis is characterized by the following symptoms:
General principles of treatment of food poisoning
In case of mild food poisoning illness lasts from two hours to two days, however, more severe forms also exist. If you are in doubt about what to do in case of food poisoning, remember: treatment of any form of poisoning at home should be based on certain areas:
- Elimination of intoxication and the process of removing toxins from the body.
- Preventing dehydration (if symptoms include vomiting or diarrhea).
- Restoration of intestinal microflora.
- Restoring the digestive system through diet.
- still mineral water,
- boiled water,
- glucose-saline solution (we use the powdered preparation Regidron or prepare it yourself: add 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 liter of boiled water).
- boiled rice, buckwheat, potatoes;
- biscuits, crackers;
- bananas and baked apples;
- lean boiled or steamed meat in minced form.
- poisoning in a child under 3 years of age;
- poisoning in pregnant women and the elderly;
- poisoning by mushrooms or poisonous plants;
- poisoning accompanied by:
- diarrhea more than 9-12 times a day;
- diarrhea mixed with blood;
- high (above 38 degrees) temperature that persists for more than a day of illness;
- non-stop vomiting;
- severe increasing weakness or fainting;
- poisoning, in which the symptoms only worsen on the 2-3rd day of the disease.
- proper heat treatment of food (especially meat and fish);
- compliance with storage standards and expiration dates 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 eat untested mushrooms and plants;
- boiling homemade milk or water from non-centralized sources;
- thorough and high-quality washing of dishes, fruits, vegetables, etc.;
- Insects and animals (flies, cockroaches, etc.) are not allowed in the kitchen;
- maintaining personal hygiene.
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 rinse the stomach? Best suited for this potassium permanganate (aka potassium permanganate). We make a weak solution of potassium permanganate (we focus on the 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 on 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 the 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 excrete clean water (solution).
If you do not feel sick or have the urge to vomit, most likely the spoiled product has already left the stomach and moved into the intestines. There is no point in artificial vomiting in this case.
Often, the body, for the purpose of self-defense, causes diarrhea as the fastest and most effective means of eliminating harmful toxins that enter the gastrointestinal tract. If there is no diarrhea, then it needs to be provoked. They'll handle it enema or laxatives(if you have them 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.
Use of sorbents
Sorbents are medicines that also remove toxins from the stomach. Potassium permanganate and an enema may not cope with all bacteria, but after sorbents you can be sure of a high-quality cleansing of the stomach.
The simplest and most famous of them is Activated carbon. We take it according to the following instructions: 1 tablet of coal for every 10 kg of a person’s weight. Those. if a poisoned man weighs 105 kg, he will need 10-11 tablets per dose. They can be chewed or diluted in a small amount of water and drunk.
Other sorbent drugs: 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 continues 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 if you have food poisoning, remember: After each visit to the toilet or vomiting, you must take 100-200 grams of liquid. And in order not to provoke a new attack of vomiting, you need to drink in small sips. The following drinks are suitable:
Restoration of intestinal microflora
This is exactly the stage that is often neglected at home. We felt better after poisoning, got rid of unpleasant symptoms, and that’s it - we forgot about our health. However, not everyone knows that after food poisoning, a disruption of the normal intestinal biocenosis (microflora) almost always occurs.
Therefore, during the recovery stage in hospitals, patients are prescribed medications containing probiotics or prebiotics (beneficial bacteria or their components). Among them, the most famous drugs are: bifidumbacterin, bifiform, linex, enterozermina, yogulakt, bionorm etc. These are useful drugs that are sold in any pharmacy for free access, i.e. without a doctor's prescription.
Maintaining hunger and diet
Of course, at the peak of symptoms you need to completely abstain from eating food. This is not difficult to do: after all, most often there is no appetite with food poisoning. Because the gastrointestinal tract is not functioning properly, the first day of illness you should fast(don't forget to drink!).
The next few days after poisoning need to follow a diet, which necessarily excludes spicy, heavy and fatty foods, dairy products, and alcohol from the diet. What can you eat if you have food poisoning? Perfect fit
In this case, the patient’s nutrition should be fractional, in small portions.
Special cases of food poisoning
There are situations when food poisoning cannot be treated at home due to the risk to life. Here they are:
What to do in case of food poisoning with fever? If its indicator does not reach high numbers, but the person does not tolerate any elevated temperature, you can take one tablet of ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Folk remedies for food poisoning
As already mentioned, treatment of food poisoning with traditional methods is possible only if it is mild and, if possible, after consultation with a doctor.
Cinnamon is quite good natural antispasmodic and sorbent. Take 0.5 teaspoon. spoons of ground cinnamon, pour it with 1 glass of boiling water and mix. After 15 minutes, strain.
We take a liter of infusion in small sips in a warm state throughout the day.
Drinking 1 cup of ginger tea after eating lunch or dinner can relieve nausea. To prepare it, take 1 teaspoon. spoon 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 taste.
3. Dill infusion with honey.
Dill itself quickly removes toxins from the body and facilitates vomiting. Honey retains potassium, which is abundantly lost during vomiting and diarrhea.
Take 1 teaspoon. spoon of dill seeds, fill it with 1.5 cups of boiling water and leave for 2-3 minutes.
Then boil this infusion over heat for 2 minutes, strain and dissolve 1 teaspoon in it. a spoonful of honey. We take a liter of decoction during the day.
This fruit has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Its natural acidity helps kill bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon, add 1 teaspoon to it. spoon 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, high acidity and other gastrointestinal diseases.
5. Decoction of wormwood and yarrow.
These herbs help cleansing the body of toxins. Burm 1 tsp. spoon of wormwood and 1 teaspoon. a spoonful of dried yarrow, mix them with 0.5 l. boiling water, leave for 15 minutes.
We filter the broth and consume the resulting volume internally 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. spoon of crushed or ground cumin seeds, swallow them with 1 glass of water.
It has antibacterial and antifungal effects in a natural way relieves indigestion. It can be consumed in its pure form, sucked, or added to water or tea. 1 teaspoon is enough. spoons three times a day.
So, depending on how long the symptoms of food poisoning last, how severe the patient’s condition is, what his age is, it is necessary to determine whether there is a need for treatment in a hospital setting or whether home care can be done.
It is absolutely not difficult to cure mild food poisoning at home - it is enough to follow the basic directions of treating the patient. However, it is best to avoid even the possibility of food poisoning by adhering to preventive measures.
And here are the main ones:
Video: Elena Malysheva about food poisoning
Regidron - indications: help with dehydration
Rehydron is used when the body loses a large amount of fluid. Salts are lost along with the liquid, and the liquid and salts ensure the normal functioning of the cells of all organs and tissues. This is why all conditions associated with fluid loss are so dangerous.
What is dehydration and its symptoms
Dehydration or exicosis is a decrease in the total water content in the body when its loss exceeds its intake and formation. Exicosis can be caused by both excessive excretion of water and a lack of its entry into the body.
The body can heat water through the intestines (with diarrhea, the action of laxatives, etc.), stomach (with vomiting), kidneys (excessive urination with diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a terrible and incurable disease, ten diuretics, etc.) skin (increased sweating), lungs (in dry air conditions), with blood loss or leakage of wound contents with extensive burns and wounds.
Exicosis is a threatening condition in which many physiological functions are deeply disrupted. Sodium is also excreted along with the fluid, which leads to thickening and increased viscosity of the blood, lowering blood pressure. Blood pressure - are its fluctuations dangerous? and a sharp increase in the risk of collapse. In this case, 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 is especially affected - disorders of the nervous system function - convulsions and coma - occur.
How to help someone 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 case of severe dehydration, adequate assistance can only be provided in a hospital setting. But you need to know that if dehydration occurs against the background of an intestinal infection, eliminating it 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 powder contains 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 very little at a time, since fluid loss (especially if it occurs against the background of an intestinal infection) is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. To keep the Rehydron solution 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 the solution one teaspoon at a time.
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 the source of energy necessary for all reduction processes.
Regidron is a medicine that you can start taking if you are dehydrated (including given to children) even before the doctor arrives. But a doctor’s consultation is necessary in order to clarify the cause of dehydration, adjust the daily dose of rehydron solution and, if necessary, prescribe complex treatment.
Fluid loss can develop in all people, but it is especially dangerous for infants and the elderly.
In this article we will look at how to protect your body from dehydration with frequent diarrhea, vomiting and other phenomena.
Feces during diarrhea consist almost entirely 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 functioning of the entire body malfunctions.
During diarrhea, the digestion process is disrupted. Vitamins and important microelements do not have time to be absorbed into the blood and the body begins to suffer from vitamin deficiency and a lack of mineral salts. Such a deficiency can lead to disturbances in the functioning of the heart and nervous system.
In addition to impaired digestion in the intestines poorly digested food gets in, and thereby promotes the development of pathogenic microflora.
The result of this process is 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;
- dry skin and mucous membranes are observed;
- a person refuses to eat;
- saliva has a viscous consistency;
- the amount of urine discharge is significantly lower than normal;
- weakness and lethargy are observed.
As dehydration develops, these symptoms include headache, bluish and pale skin, urine discharge is dark in color, heaviness in the stomach and heartburn are observed.
Moderate symptoms
This degree is characterized fluid loss up to 9% of body weight and can develop within two days. Symptoms:
- there is loose stool mixed with food consumed;
- frequent vomiting;
- the patient becomes restless;
- rapid heartbeat, pulse indicators are constantly changing;
- mucous membranes become dry;
- skin loses elasticity;
- there is lethargy and apathy;
- blood circulation in tissues is disrupted.
Severe symptoms
Severe dehydration develops with fluid loss of more than 10% of weight person. The symptoms are the same as for moderate degrees, but more pronounced:
- the skin and mucous membranes are very dry;
- there is no secretion of tears;
- strong thirst;
- In infants, the fontanelle sinks and there is crying without tears;
- an extremely small amount of urine is released, and it is dark in color;
- blood pressure drops;
- heart rate and respiratory rate are increased;
- increased body temperature due to lack of sweating;
- loss and confusion;
- in severe cases, death is possible.
For moderate to severe dehydration urgent hospitalization required sick.
Dangers and Consequences
Loss of fluid is very dangerous, as it damages vital organs. The brain consists of 85% water. Even minor fluid losses can have dangerous consequences. The loss of fluid affects the brain cells that are responsible for neutralizing toxins.
The capillaries of the brain perform a protective function. If there is 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).
When dehydrated, obesity can develop. People often confuse hunger with thirst. The body begins to accumulate 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 occurs 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 requires emergency medical attention.
In elderly patients, dehydration leads to pathologies of the cardiovascular system, intestinal motility disorders, swelling of internal organs, clouding of consciousness and hallucinations. Elderly people should drink at least two liters of water a 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 it is necessary to ensure sufficient water consumption. When vomiting, liquid should be supplied frequently 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 medications is most effective for mild to moderate severity. To do this, use drugs that restore water and electrolyte balance (Regidron, Hydrovit, Regidron Bio). The dosage and frequency of use depends on the individual characteristics of the body, age and body weight of the person. A similar solution can be prepared at home.
If dehydration occurs in newborns, breastfeeding should not be stopped. A nursing mother should also monitor her diet to ensure that the baby receives all the necessary microelements and water.
Severe degrees of dehydration are treated only in a medical facility by intravenous infusion of the necessary solutions.
When should I see a doctor?
Immediate medical attention required infants and elderly people. In case of persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea mixed with blood, loss of consciousness, high fever, seizures, severe dry skin and mucous membranes, you must call an ambulance.
Medicines
Regidron
The drug is available in powder form for preparing a solution. It contains microelements necessary for the body. The contents of the package are dissolved in boiled and cooled water. The resulting solution must be drunk throughout 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 bags with and without strawberry flavoring. Approved for use from infancy. Side effects may include allergies and vomiting. The drug is contraindicated in case of high potassium content in the body, frequent vomiting and renal failure.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of the product 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 symptoms disappear completely.
Lemon water. To replenish vitamins and microelements, add a few slices of lemon, a spoonful of honey, a little salt and pepper to a glass of clean water. Mix everything and take throughout the day.
Water and barley. Take some 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
Diet for dehydration should completely replenish fluid reserves. It is necessary to consume more meat and chicken broths. Include foods rich in sodium and potassium in your diet (tomatoes, potatoes, nuts, bananas, green vegetables and citrus fruits). It is not recommended to drink tea, coffee, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, fried, spicy and smoked foods.
You need to eat small portions up to five times a day.
Sample menu for the day
- Breakfast 1: oatmeal with water, lightly brewed tea.
- Breakfast 2: dried fruit compote, crackers, 1 banana.
- Lunch: vegetable soup, steamed meatballs, compote.
- Afternoon snack: green tea with mint, unsalted cookies.
- Dinner: rice with steamed meatballs, compote.
Drinking regimen
For normal functioning of the body, you need to drink 2.5 liters of water per day. Less consumption leads to weight loss, thirst, nausea and increased body temperature. Excessive water consumption also negatively affects the condition of organs and tissues. Too thin blood threatens pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, and diluted gastric juice disrupts digestion. Frequent trips to the toilet also disrupt kidney function.
Compliance with precautionary measures and preventive measures will ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the human body.
It is important not to self-medicate and seek help from a specialist in a timely manner.
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 undeniable fact that the human need for water comes 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 moisture supply to the body, it develops dehydration(or dehydration), which has an extremely negative impact on its work. For example, 92% of blood should consist of water, and the total volume of circulating blood in a person of average build should be approximately 5 liters. Lack of water leads to a catastrophic decrease in blood volume, which necessarily leads to disruption of hemodynamic stability and thickening of the blood (hemoglobin in the blood test increases, the rheological properties of the blood are disrupted, red blood cells stick together, and aggregation of cellular elements of the blood occurs). Lack of blood volume and its thickening is the cause of narrowing of most peripheral vessels and capillaries, which provokes hemodynamic disorders (vegetative-vascular disorders).
Modern medicine suggests removing “excess water” from the body in order to treat edema with the help of diuretics. This is an erroneous judgment. The forced removal of water from the blood plasma further thickens the blood and disrupts capillary circulation, which leads to an even deeper disruption of metabolic processes in cells. The use of diuretics only aggravates swelling and worsens general well-being. Dehydration itself disrupts metabolic processes and disrupts protein metabolism.
Dehydration often occurs in the summer. When traveling to countries with hot climates, you must constantly be aware of the possibility of developing this condition. But dehydration can also occur as a consequence of various diseases.
The most common cause of dehydration is loss of water due to (for example, food poisoning, cholera), persistent vomiting (for poisoning, pyloric stenosis, toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy, etc.), polyuria (for diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus, some kidney diseases, hypervitaminosis D, hyperparathyroidism, Addison's disease, improper use 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 severe infectious diseases accompanied), with acute blood loss. An interesting fact is that during fever, for every degree increase in temperature, water loss is only 50-75 ml per day, and fluid loss through the gastrointestinal tract during diarrhea or vomiting reaches much larger volumes. Dehydration can also be caused by water starvation due to a violation of the drinking regime in patients with disorders of consciousness, helpless patients with improper care.
Dehydration develops especially easily in children, whose tissues normally contain much more water than the tissues of an adult. A child’s body consists of 80% water (a five-month 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 people - 70%) and decreases with age.
In children, especially infants, the excretion 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 is. Loss of water in babies is most often associated with dyspeptic disorders.
Common clinical signs of dehydration
Reducing body weight by more than 5%
Dry and sagging 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 normally), sometimes anuria (lack of urine output)
Lower blood pressure
Isoosmotic type of dehydration- water is removed from the intercellular space and from the cells relatively evenly.
When treating isosmotic type of dehydration, mineral water is used for drinking. In the hospital, isotonic solutions of sodium chloride and glucose are administered intravenously; in case of plasma loss, plasma or its substitutes are administered.
Hyperosmotic, or water-deficient type of dehydration– causes a 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 cell dehydration).
With the water deficiency type of dehydration, excruciating thirst occurs, severe dryness in the mouth and throat, the voice becomes hoarse, and body temperature rises. Often noted. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity and sclera are dry, the thickness of the tongue is reduced, and the eyeballs are sunken. Signs from the central nervous system: excitement, aggression, fear, then hallucinations and drowsiness appear. If left untreated, disorders of consciousness become more profound, even to the point of coma, which precedes death.
When treating water deficiency type of dehydration, give the patient water without sugar and salt. In the hospital, 1 liter of 5% glucose solution is administered intravenously (with the addition of 8 units of insulin for injection), with the first 200 ml being given as a stream, the rest as a drip.
Hypoosmotic or salt-deficient type of dehydration- sodium is initially lost, water from the intercellular space is redistributed into the cells, accumulating in them in excess quantities (cell hyperhydration).
Clinical signs: anorexia and nausea in the absence of thirst, increasing headache (usually localized in the forehead). The tongue is often moist and not reduced in volume. Asthenia, apathy. Muscle pain, cramps, and disturbances of consciousness are possible.
Drinking unsalted water causes vomiting, which worsens dehydration, so you need to drink salted water or an oral rehydration solution. In a hospital setting, 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 carried out, 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 simple. A good indicator of the body's need for water is the color of urine. A well-hydrated body produces colorless urine. In a relatively dehydrated person, the urine is yellow. In a state of severe dehydration, a person produces orange-colored urine.
With a loss of 2% of water from body weight, a person becomes thirsty, mental and physical indicators decrease by 20%, with a loss of 6-8% a semi-fainting state develops, with a loss of 10% hallucinations begin and problems with swallowing appear. A sudden loss of water can lead to mental disorders, collapse, and sometimes death. If there is a shortage of 12%, a person dies.
You should immediately consult a doctor if dehydration occurs in an infant or child under 10 years of age, as well as with severe uncontrollable bouts of vomiting.
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 losses. Practice shows that large people 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 should drink at least two glasses of water on an empty stomach in the morning to replenish the water lost during the eight hours of sleep. You should drink periodically throughout the day, regardless of your 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 drinking caffeine and alcohol leads to dehydration. For every cup of coffee or serving of 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 sellers, this water has an ideal ph balance and exquisite taste for humans. The liquid is sold in special bottles decorated with Swarovski crystals. There is no such product in the assortment of domestic retail outlets; only the golden youth of America can purchase it, however, any pharmacy always has in stock drugs for oral use that perform the function of correcting excess fluid loss by the body and restoring water-electrolyte and acid-base balance (Humana Electrolyte", "Gastrolit", "Regidron" and "Regidron Optim"). These drugs are indicated for the prevention of dehydration conditions, replenishment of fluid and electrolyte losses during dehydration of varying severity (vomiting), intoxication of any origin (fever, infectious diseases, food poisoning), acetonemic syndrome.
“Humana Electrolyte”, “Gastrolit”, “Regidron” and “Regidron Optim” are first-aid drugs and can be used according to indications at any age, including infants. The listed agents for oral rehydration, in accordance with WHO recommendations, are low-osmolar (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 Optim” 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 discuss in more detail. For example, “Humana Electrolyte” is available in two types:
1) with banana pectin, whose dietary fiber is 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.
To prevent dehydration, the use of rehydrants should be started as early as possible. Usually the drug is used for no more than 3-4 days, treatment is stopped when completed.
Oral rehydration products are available in the form of powder dosed in bags, which should be dissolved in warm boiled water, cooled to room temperature and taken in small sips after each liquid bowel movement or after 10 minutes. after vomiting.
Severe dehydration (decrease in body weight by more than 10%, anuria) should be corrected, first of all, by the use of intravenous rehydration agents in a hospital setting.
Dobra E.A., Candidate of Pharmacological Sciences, Department of Pharmacotherapy of the National University of Pedagogical University, clinical pharmacist of the Kharkov State Clinical Hospital
Dehydration of the body is a common pathology in which a significant amount of fluid is lost. Water performs important functions: it promotes the elimination of pathological products, toxins, radionuclides, and is involved in respiration and digestion. All internal organs have a liquid structure.
Dehydration occurs when there is pathological loss of fluid (vomiting, diarrhea, insufficient intake from outside). This threatens with serious consequences, including death, and does not spare children or adults.
The main reasons include:
- hot weather, frost, physical activity, sports lead to increased sweating;
- food poisoning, which is accompanied by diarrhea and 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 mellitus);
- 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 through vomit;
- uncontrolled use of diuretics (for renal pathology, arterial hypertension);
- The process of dehydrogenation in children is worth mentioning separately. Due to poor hygiene, they often develop intestinal infections caused by rotavirus. Low body weight, increased turnover of electrolytes and water lead to rapid dehydration;
- Elderly people suffer from dehydration for several reasons: a reduced ability to retain water inside, disruption of thermoregulation processes, and the threshold of sensitivity to thirst decreases. Most pensioners live alone, suffer from decreased memory, are often malnourished and do not drink enough water;
- Alcohol and drug intoxication often lead to dehydration. Alcohol dries out the mucous membranes and increases urination.
Dehydration is the loss of water and salts necessary for normal functioning of the body. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than required. Dehydration can disrupt the complex fluid-electrolyte balance that is essential for healthy cells and tissues to function.
The human body, as a rule, consists of more than 60% water. The balance is maintained by a mechanism such as thirst. When the body requires more water, the brain stimulates the nerve centers, and the person feels thirsty. The kidneys are responsible for maintaining fluid balance by removing waste products and excess water.
Water is primarily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and excreted through the kidneys in the urine. Changes in internal water volume depend on the kidneys' ability to dilute and concentrate urine as needed.
Children need more water than adults because they use more energy. Dehydration in children usually occurs as a result of losing too much fluid and not drinking enough water to replace the loss.
This condition often occurs in children with an upset stomach (vomiting or diarrhea), fever, or severe sweating. Dehydration can be caused by a painful condition; hot, dry climate; prolonged exposure to the sun or high temperatures; not drinking enough water, overusing diuretics or other medications that increase urination.
Causes
Typically, 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. Signs of dehydration in a child are especially pronounced. Seriously ill and elderly people are at risk.
The minor stage of the disease is compensated by increased water intake. The body itself took care of this, providing it with a mechanism for the occurrence of thirst. A special structure in the brain is responsible for it. Another protective function when there is a lack of fluid is less urination. In this way, the body tries to maintain at least a little balance, fighting a disease such as dehydration.
Causes:
- Vomiting and diarrhea. A gastrointestinal disorder can cause severe fluid loss in a fairly short period of time. Dehydration during 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, if you notice the first signs, you should immediately contact your pediatrician for help.
- Fever. It is a known fact that the higher a person’s temperature, the faster moisture is lost from the body. Following popular advice, patients try to sweat. To do this, they drink a lot of tea. As you know, the body loses precious fluid along with sweat. And if the disease is accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, then the risk of dehydration increases many times over.
- Increased sweating. A person always loses fluid. And quite a lot of water leaves the body through sweat. Intense workouts can remove up to several hundred grams of fluid. In this regard, when going on a hike or to the gym, it is necessary to grab a bottle of water. Children are especially sensitive to increased sweating during competitions and games. This is due to physiology. But, unfortunately, children are inattentive to this condition and do not pay any attention to the 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. When the pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin, the patient suffers from severe thirst. The result is excessive urination. Another disease, diabetes insipidus, can cause similar symptoms. It is provoked by a lack of antidiuretic hormone from the pituitary gland. This disease also causes an acute feeling of thirst, accompanied by increased urination.
Some medications can cause the body to lose life-giving moisture. These are, for example, diuretics, antihistamines, antihypertensives, and some psychiatric medications.
Alcohol and many drugs cause severe dehydration.
The following reasons lead mainly to rapid dehydration of the body:
- feverish conditions that increase the lack of fluid in the body;
- for infectious diseases that cause repeated vomiting and diarrhea;
- occurs due to physical injury (disability);
- when potable water is unavailable;
- 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;
- for mental disorders;
- may occur with existing diabetes mellitus;
- anorexia and bulimia, prolonged fasting, especially the so-called “dry”;
- with massive blood loss;
- with uncontrolled use of laxatives and diuretics.
Dehydration of the body does not develop without reason. It is caused by various pathological conditions in which fluid loss occurs. Most often, a large amount of water leaves the body with prolonged vomiting and diarrhea. Blood loss during injury also leads to dehydration. The main cause of dehydration is intestinal infections.
The most common of these are dysentery and salmonellosis. In addition to them, dehydration can be caused by: E. coli, staphylococci, clostridia, botulinum toxin, etc. All these bacteria enter the human body with food eaten that has been poorly processed. Particularly dangerous infections (cholera, anthrax) lead to fatal dehydration of the body.
Fortunately, these diseases do not occur today. Since dehydration is a loss of fluid, it also develops when blood leaves the body. In some cases, mild dehydration may occur during childbirth, surgery, or heavy menstruation. The severe stage develops with hemorrhagic shock - large blood loss that occurs with severe injuries.
Dehydration is a consequence of water deficiency in the body, which occurs with increased excretion. The main causes of dehydration: – decreased fluid intake
– diarrhea
- vomiting - fever
– increased sweating
– excessive urination (polyuria)
– diuretics or other drugs that increase fluid loss
– caffeine or alcohol
A decrease in 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 vitamin deficiency.
Drinks that cause dehydration
Some doctors consider water only as a medium that dissolves and transports various substances, and think that any drinks are suitable for replenishing this fluid.
Therefore, to the simple question of what kind of water is healthier to drink, doctors answer: any, and as much as possible. However, this is not at all true.
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 consuming them, the human body does not gain water, but loses it.
Consequently, with regular consumption of these drinks, completely unnoticed, our body comes to a state of dehydration.
Let's give a simple example. Most of us treat a cold or fever with medicinal hot tea, but in reality this drink does more to promote fluid loss in the body. This occurs as a result of sweating.
Dehydration due to medication use
In order for the body to absorb any medical drug (chemical substance), it is necessary to spend a certain amount of water, and this leads to even greater dehydration.
In addition, a disappointing trend can currently be observed - approximately 90% of medications are prescribed and used without reasonable justification (a person is fighting not the cause of the disease, but its consequence), which further worsens the person’s health.
Degrees and types of dehydration
Degrees of dehydration:
- light (5-6% of water or 1-2 liters lost);
- average (6-10% or 2-4 liters of water lost);
- severe (lost 10% or more than 4 liters of water);
- acute dehydration (more than 10 liters of water lost) - 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 level).
Classification of dehydration
Currently, there are several degrees of dehydration:
- Mild dehydration – loss of 5-6% (1 – 2 l) of fluid
- Moderate dehydration – loss of 6-10% (2-4 l) of fluid
- Severe dehydration – loss of 10% (more than 4 L) of fluid
- Acute dehydration is a loss of more than 10 liters of water; this condition threatens the patient’s life.
Depending on the salt balance during dehydration, several types of dehydration are distinguished:
- Isotonic dehydration (the salt composition of the blood is normal)
- Hypertensive dehydration (increased concentration of blood salts)
- Hypotonic dehydration (reduced blood salt concentration)
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, through 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 help.
- 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 consult a doctor. 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 water loss is 6-9%. You can't do without hospital drips. 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 lead to such a situation.
There is a separate classification according to changes in salt balance:
- Isotonic dehydration is accompanied by excessive excretion of sodium from the body. The concentration of the chemical changes slightly in the intercellular fluid. It occurs with vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, development of an “acute abdomen” (cholecystitis, appendicitis, pancreatitis), burns, polyuria. Manifests symptoms of mild dehydration. It is not difficult to restore normal water levels in this condition.
- Hypertensive dehydration is characterized by increased salt levels. Occurs against the background of renal failure, long-term use of diuretics, and 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; it is better to prevent dehydration in time so as not to treat complications.
- Hypotonic dehydration occurs when the concentration of sodium in the cell is reduced. Excessive diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive sweating are the main conditions for the formation of this type of dehydration. In patients, blood circulation, brain, kidney, and liver function are impaired, the blood thickens, and in 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 subjecting 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.
With 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 uncontrollable fluid loss, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, diuresis and hypothermia. In this case, convulsions and hoarseness may occur.
In the last stage of dehydration, facial features become sharpened and 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 lost fluid and electrolytes. The specific plan for how to treat dehydration depends on the child’s age, the cause of the disease and the severity. Of course, it is best to choose it together with your pediatrician.
Initially, you should give your baby special medications for dehydration. The best solution is considered to be "Regidron". It should be used immediately as soon as the child has vomiting or diarrhea. Such preparations contain the electrolytes necessary for the body. This is potassium, sodium. They help restore full water and electrolyte balance. This will prevent serious consequences from occurring.
An excellent analogue of the drug can be a homemade solution for dehydration. To make it you will need half a teaspoon of salt, 6 teaspoons of sugar, and a liter of purified drinking water. Double-check that the proportions are correct. This is very important for preparing a homemade solution. If the dose is incorrect, the drug will be less effective and can sometimes cause harm.
Give your baby enough of the drug, starting with small portions. In case of vomiting, you should start with one spoon. This medicine should be used until all symptoms disappear completely. Pay special attention to the color of your urine. Very important! You cannot store the prepared solution, especially in a warm place, for a long time. It becomes unusable very quickly.
The best drinks are solutions. Dehydration in a child cannot be treated with tap water or special sports water. Eliminate soda, milk, caffeine-containing drinks, and juices from your diet at this time. This will only make the symptoms worse.
In most cases, mild to moderate severity is observed. Therefore, adequate fluid intake can easily relieve adults from 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 recovery process and instead of getting 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 then painfully search for methods of cure.
It doesn't take much to prevent dehydration.
Basically, you need to regularly drink enough fluids and eat fruits and vegetables rich in fluids.
It wouldn't hurt to use these tips:
- Try to plan your activities for the day in advance and always have a supply of drinking water with you. Those who engage in physical activity should not forget to rehydrate;
- do not plan physical activity on hot days; if necessary, try to do it in the morning or evening;
- remember, children and the elderly, people with poor hearing are the most susceptible to dehydration, 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 should you do first when your body becomes dehydrated?
If you are with someone who needs help (severe vomiting, diarrhea), try to get at least some fluids using one of the following methods:
- sipping a small amount of water through special straws;
- a little mineral drink without carbon;
- give ice cubes to suck;
- during the hot summer period, remove excess clothing;
- To reduce heat exposure, open windows or turn on air conditioning;
- hang wet towels around the patient.
Signs of dehydration
Dehydration of the body manifests itself in various signs, it all depends on the degree of dehydration, the main symptoms of the pathology are:
- With mild dehydration, thirst is observed, increased salivation, dry skin, the amount of urine and the frequency of urination decrease. Patients note the discharge of dark yellow urine.
- The average degree of dehydration is characterized by excessive thirst, dry skin and mouth, and little urine is produced per day. Its color changes, it becomes brown. Additionally, the following symptoms appear: slight dizziness, patients are aggressive, overly irritable. There is coldness in the extremities, rapid heartbeat, and muscle cramps.
- In severe cases, a number of symptoms develop:
- an adult or child becomes inattentive, irritable, a feeling of unmotivated fear and embarrassment appears;
- headache, dizziness;
- weakness prevents you from getting out of bed;
- tachypnea, tachycardia, decreased blood pressure;
- skin feels cold, sticky, dry;
- no urination for 24 hours;
- 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.
Symptoms of dehydration in adults vary widely. How can you tell if your body is dehydrated?
That feeling when you really want to drink 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.
Clear signs of dehydration include:
- dry mouth or xerostomia, a condition where normal saliva production is reduced; saliva may be stringy, viscous;
- increased body temperature;
- swollen or swollen tongue;
- weakness, lethargy and dizziness;
- pale skin with a hint of blue;
- skin elasticity is lost, facial features become sharper;
- anhidrosis or lack of sweating;
- brief loss of consciousness or syncope.
A lack of fluid in the body is indicated by a change in the color of urine: yellow or amber. As the pathological condition develops, appetite is lost, convulsions, shortness of breath may appear, limbs become numb, and a drop in body temperature and pressure is noted.
How does dehydration manifest? The symptoms of this disease can be distinguished based on the severity of its manifestations.
Fatigue for no apparent reason. Water is the main source of energy in the body. Food has no value until all the nutrients it contains undergo hydrolysis.
Hot temper, irritability. Irritability is a kind of maneuver, an attempt by the brain not to perform 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 a feeling of anxiety, the brain gives a signal about a severe lack of water.
Dejection, depression. Dehydration leads to a rapid depletion of amino acids, and this, in turn, can cause not just a bad mood, but even a feeling of despondency.
Depression. Water deficiency inevitably causes a deficiency of dopamine, epinephrine and norepnephrine, which can cause melancholy and depression.
Lethargy. This is a signal that you should drink water 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. A full night's sleep can lead to even greater dehydration, since a considerable amount of water is lost through sweat (while sleeping under the covers).
If you give the body water with a small amount of salt, the quality of sleep will immediately return to normal.
Unreasonable impatience. For normal functioning, the brain has to spend a lot of energy. If there is clearly not enough energy, the brain usually tries to finish the work as quickly as possible. This brain trick is often called “impatience.”
Inattention. The more saturated the brain is with water, the more energy it is allowed to spend on accumulating information in the memory departments. In exactly the same way, dehydration leads to lack of attention in children addicted to sweet soda.
Shortness of breath, which is not caused by infections or pulmonary diseases. People who love physical activity are required to consume the required amount of water.
Strong cravings for drinks such as coffee, tea, alcohol, carbonated drinks. This way your brain informs you that you need water.
These often uncontrollable desires are based on a conditioned reflex that associates replenishing water with the consumption of the above drinks, which, as we have already said, actually lead to much greater dehydration.
Dreams about rivers, seas or other bodies of water are 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 his 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 in the early stages. It should be noted that these degrees of the disease are easily curable. Therefore, if you notice that dehydration is occurring, the symptoms are quite eloquent evidence of it, take action immediately.
Mild to moderate severity usually causes:
- drowsiness, fatigue;
- dry mouth and viscosity;
- feeling of thirst;
- decreased urination - babies’ diapers remain 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 small amount of 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 not only of the mouth, but also of the skin, and even mucous membranes;
- almost no urination or a small amount that is dark yellow or amber in color;
- retraction of the fontanel in an infant;
- the skin becomes wrinkled when pinched and does not straighten out immediately;
- sunken eyes;
- low blood pressure;
- rapid breathing;
- complete absence of tears;
- cardiopalmus;
- elevated temperature;
- delirium, loss of consciousness - in the most severe stages.
But remember: feeling thirsty is not always a reliable indicator of a lack of water in the body. This is especially true for older people and children. The best indicator is the color of the urine. A clear or slightly tinted color indicates normality. And dark yellow and amber shades indicate 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 the body's fluid intake is reduced, hypovolemic shock may develop. In this condition, the skin turns pale, becomes covered in cold, sticky sweat, and 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 blotchy.
There is anxiety and restlessness. When body temperature reaches 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 the disease is a common cause of death in children under five years of age, accounting for about 2 million deaths per year.
A moderate form of dehydration is accompanied by dry mouth, and the patient's eyes are slightly sunken. Thirst increases: the patient drinks water greedily.
Skin elasticity decreases. In small children, the fontanel is sunken. Patients with severe dehydration tend to be lethargic, stuporous, or even comatose. The symptoms are even more obvious (deeply sunken eyes, lack of tears, very dry mouth and tongue, fast and deep breathing). The skin fold straightens out very slowly (within two seconds).
A patient who is in a stupor cannot drink water on his own. There is no urine output for 6 or more hours. Blood pressure decreases or is not detected at all, hands and feet are cool, and nail beds 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 necessary to urgently consult a doctor in the following situations: 1.
Symptoms of dehydration are disrupted.
2. Loss of appetite.
3. Inadequate diuresis. A terrible sign is the absence of diuresis in a newborn baby for 8 hours. 4. Symptoms of dehydration developed in the child before two months of age, accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting.
5. Feeling dizzy, lethargic, or excessively thirsty.
6.
Tachycardia occurs. 7. Dry mucous membranes. The child may not cry. 8. Blood is found in the stool or vomit.
In newborns, dehydration can develop within a few hours of the onset of the disease. Typically, a physical examination is sufficient to make a diagnosis, although there are laboratory signs of dehydration.
Treatment of children
To get rid of a pathological condition, you need to make every effort. An integrated approach to treatment methods will save the situation.
Medicines and droppers
Moderate and severe forms must be treated with droppers. Infusion therapy promotes rapid restoration of fluid volume in the blood. Regular saline solution, Ringer's solution, glucose, trisol, disol are perfect for combating the pathological condition. Hemodez, Poliglyukin are plasma-replacement drugs that fight intoxication, bleeding, and prevent further fluid loss.
High body temperature requires cooling the body and administering antipyretic medications. Vomiting is treated with antiemetic drugs (sturgeon).
Additionally, 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. You need to drink four glasses a day and don’t forget to eat light porridge (cereals, buckwheat).
- A similar recipe - you need to add a little sugar to a glass of water.
- Healing herbal drinks will replenish the liquid environment and reduce the manifestations of intoxication. Tinctures with chamomile and rose hips put the body in order. Take a few spoons 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. During the rehydration phase, fluid loss resumes quickly, within 3-4 hours. The patient should not stop eating. Limiting lactose (milk and dairy products) is usually not necessary, but may be helpful in a child with severe intestinal disease or diarrhea in malnourished children.
Children with minimal dehydration and weighing less than 10 kg should be given 60-120 ml of oral rehydration solution for each episode of vomiting or diarrhea. If you weigh more than 10 kg, give 120-240 ml of this solution. Food should not 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 losses.
Additional fluid should be administered to replace current losses from vomiting and diarrhea. To determine tolerance, the patient is given oral rehydration solution by spoon, syringe or pipette. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and requires immediate intravenous fluids.
In case of moderate to severe dehydration, the patient should be hospitalized in a medical facility. Moderate dehydration can be treated with oral fluids; severe dehydration requires intravenous fluid replacement. If dehydration is caused by vomiting, appropriate medications must be prescribed.
However, antidiarrheal medications are not recommended for children for diarrhea. A patient who is dehydrated due to diabetes, kidney disease, or adrenal disease should receive treatment for the underlying condition as well as the dehydration. Adults with mild dehydration should drink clean water to replenish fluid loss.
In such cases, children need oral rehydration solutions. Parents should follow label directions when giving children Pedialyte or other over-the-counter solutions recommended for treating dehydration. Sports drinks are not recommended because they contain a lot of sugar and can make diarrhea worse.
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 your own saline solution. This is done by adding ¼ teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of sugar to half a liter of water.
Getting the right amount of electrolytes is very important, and therefore preparing the solution at home 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 continues 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 a decrease in blood volume, a drop in blood pressure, and impaired hemodynamics. Irreversible processes occur in the internal organs; it is very difficult to return their initial state in the future.
Complications of dehydration:
- Development of hypovolemic shock.
- Acute renal failure.
- Acute liver failure.
- Impaired breathing and circulation.
The progression of the dehydration state can only be stopped by timely treatment and monitoring of homeostasis indicators. Drinking regime is the main key to success.
Dehydration is a pathological condition characterized by significant loss of fluid. Dehydration threatens the development of hypovolemic shock.
Unfortunately, dehydration in some cases, especially if not given enough attention, can lead to quite disastrous results. Dehydration should not be ignored. 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. This condition is difficult because it can easily end heat stroke. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be fatal.
- Cramps. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium) necessary for life function act as conductors between cells. An imbalance introduces disharmony into this process, provoking a mixing of signals. This process causes involuntary muscle contractions or loss of consciousness.
- Brain swelling. Lack of fluid forces the body to take care of cells with even greater zeal. 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 brain cells.
- Hypovolemic shock. This condition occurs when 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 that can result from dehydration. It is dictated by a drop in pressure. 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. A disease appears - kidney failure.
- Coma, death. If dehydration is not caught in time and treated, dehydration diseases can be fatal.
First of all, dehydration threatens metabolic disorders, disruption 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), immediately call an ambulance, since significant loss of water is too dangerous for life.
What does dehydration lead to in the most critical cases?
With prolonged dehydration, death can occur in an adult after five to seven days, and in dry and hot weather even after three to five days.
What are the dangers of dehydration in the human body? Possible complications include:
- shock (the skin is pale, breathing quickens, 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 the case of infectious diseases and weakened immunity.
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.
Multiple sclerosis is manifesting itself with renewed vigor, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are intensifying. There is a high probability of developing cancer, and infertility may occur.
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 and eat juicy foods. These include vegetables and fruits. For most people, thirst is a warning signal. During physical activity, do not wait until it comes; increase your water intake.
And don’t forget that in some situations you should take more water than usual.
- Disease. At the first symptoms, start drinking more fluids or rehydration solution. Just remember that carbonated drinks and light beer contain a lot of sugar and little salt. Therefore, they are not able to replace lost electrolytes.
- Sports activities. The day before serious physical activity, you should increase the dose of fluid. A large amount of transparent urine is the best indicator of wealth. Immediately before training, drink 1-3 glasses of water. Remember to drink fluids during exercise as well.
But know that taking too much liquid will not lead to good things. This can result in bloating and discomfort. In some cases, a potentially fatal condition can occur when the sodium level in the blood is too low - hyponatremia. This happens if the body receives much more fluid than it loses.
- Wednesday. In hot weather, you should definitely take more water. This will reduce your body temperature. In this way, the fluid lost due to sweating will be restored.
Keeping a person hydrated helps prevent dehydration. Parents can avoid dehydration in infants and children who are vomiting or have diarrhea by promptly replacing fluids. 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 the 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 definitely be among them. Every adult is familiar with a drug such as Regidron. "Regidron" can be bought at a pharmacy at an affordable price; the drug does not require a prescription. This is an essential drug for dehydration. Situations in which dehydration quickly sets in are known to almost every person. Rapid loss of fluid occurs with diarrhea and vomiting. Together with water, the body quickly loses vital microelements.
To avoid dehydration of the body, use a solution of the drug "Regidron", which is easy to make yourself at home. Regidron is not contraindicated for pregnant and nursing mothers or young children. You just need to check the dosage of the drug with your doctor.
Let us list the symptoms that accompany the onset of dehydration. These are fatigue, a feeling of viscosity and dry mouth, drowsiness, thirst, decreased amount of urine, headache, dizziness, constipation, dry skin, fainting.
Symptoms of severe dehydration when you need to see a doctor immediately: insomnia and fussiness in babies and young children, lack of tears when crying, sunken fontanel in babies, confusion, sunken eyes, lack of sweating, fever, rapid heartbeat and heavy breathing, wrinkled dry, inelastic skin. In severe cases of dehydration, loss of consciousness and delirium may occur.
Let's briefly look at the causes of dehydration so that we can try to avoid this disease in the future. Dehydration occurs when the body does not replenish fluids 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: sodium citrate and chloride, anhydrous dextrose and potassium chloride. These elements, diluted with boiled water in a certain proportion, will return lost fluid to the body, and also restore electrolytes and the acid-base balance of the blood.
"Regidron" must be taken in case of diarrhea or vomiting, food poisoning, or heat stroke. Other cases when it is recommended to drink Regidron solution:
- physical exercise,
- regular overheating of the body,
- increased sweating.
During pregnancy, rehydron is allowed to be used in the doses specified in the instructions. Regidron has no effect on the fetus. Drivers of vehicles and people operating precision machinery can also use rehydron.
Contraindications for rehydron
"Regidron" also has contraindications. In case of acute and chronic renal failure, with an excess of potassium in the body, with severe and moderate arterial hypertension, as well as with diabetes mellitus, Regidron cannot be taken. An urgent visit to a doctor is necessary if, after taking the drug, the patient complains of drowsiness, fever, bloody stools, and speech impairment. If, after the diarrhea stops, severe abdominal pain appears, intervention by 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 the problem occurs in a small child, consult a doctor immediately. When 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 may be either rotavirus infection or poisoning. Even a concussion cannot be ruled out. Until the cause is determined, do not forget to give your child fluids. This could be "Regidron", prepared at home.
A homemade "Regidron" solution can be made and safely used if diarrhea or vomiting takes you by surprise and the pharmacy is far away. There are several recipes, here are three of them. It's up to you to decide which one to use.
3 recipes for making 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 2 tbsp sugar. l. and 1/4 tsp. ordinary soda with salt. Third recipe. We take two liter jars and pour boiled chilled water into them. Add a full tablespoon of table salt to one jar, and the same amount of sugar to the other. The resulting solutions are taken alternately every 10 minutes.
You should take “Regidron” prepared at home in the same way as you would take the drug from the pharmacy. For children, a solution that helps restore strength can be compote, green tea, homemade raisin decoction, alkaline water or electrolytic solutions. You can also give regular boiled water to drink. The liquid should be about 22 degrees or a little warmer - this way it will be absorbed by the body faster and will contribute to the beginning of the restoration of health.
You need to know how to store this medicine. At room temperature, pharmaceutical "Regidron" is stored in a dry, dark place for three years. Remember that it is very important to keep all medications 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, you need to prepare a volume of the drug sufficient for two days, no more. Before use, Regidron must be removed from 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. Consequently, recovery will come faster. Dehydration is very dangerous!
What is dehydration and its symptoms
Dehydration or exicosis is a decrease in the total water content in the body when its loss exceeds its intake and formation. Exicosis can be caused by both excessive excretion of water and a lack of its entry into the body.
The body can heat water through the intestines (with diarrhea, laxatives, etc.), stomach (with vomiting), kidneys (excessive urination with diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus, ten diuretics, etc.) skin (increased sweating), lungs (in conditions dry air), with blood loss or leakage of wound contents with extensive burns and wounds.
When performing physical work, the greatest loss of water through sweat is observed when the body is overheated. When climbing high mountains, increased water loss is facilitated by increased sweat production due to physical activity 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-term carbohydrate-free diet and water fasting.
Exicosis is a threatening condition in which many physiological functions are deeply disrupted. Sodium is also excreted along with the fluid, which leads to thickening and increased viscosity of the blood, a decrease in blood pressure and a sharp increase in the risk of collapse. In this case, 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 is especially affected - disorders of the nervous system function - seizures and coma.
Fluid is removed both from the intercellular space (sodium is lost along with it) and from the cells (this leads to the loss of potassium - hypokalemia). The main symptoms of fluid loss are weight loss, thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, severe dry skin and mucous membranes, hoarseness, and palpitations. Weakness increases, headaches, muscle weakness occur, attention and coordination of movements are impaired. Then the eyeballs sink, facial features sharpen, vision and hearing weaken, swallowing becomes difficult, circulatory failure increases, and blood clots may form in the vessels due to blood thickening. Mental disorders occur, including the development of psychoses and convulsions, which can result in coma.
How to help someone 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 case of severe dehydration, adequate assistance can only be provided in a hospital setting. But you need to know that if dehydration occurs against the background of an intestinal infection, eliminating it 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 powder contains minerals 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 very little at a time, since fluid loss (especially if it occurs 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 the solution one teaspoon at a time.
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 all reduction processes.
Regidron is a drug that you can start taking if you are dehydrated (including given to children) even before the doctor arrives. But a doctor’s consultation is necessary in order to clarify the cause of dehydration, adjust the daily dose of rehydron solution and, if necessary, prescribe complex treatment.
Galina Romanenko
Publications on the topic
Fluid loss can develop in all people, but it is especially dangerous for infants and the elderly.
In this article we will look at how to protect your body from dehydration with frequent diarrhea, vomiting and other phenomena.
Feces during diarrhea consist almost entirely 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 functioning of the entire body malfunctions.
During diarrhea, the digestion process is disrupted. Vitamins and important microelements do not have time to be absorbed into the blood and the body begins to suffer from vitamin deficiency and a lack of mineral salts. Such a deficiency can lead to disturbances in the functioning of the heart and nervous system.
In addition to impaired digestion in the intestines poorly digested food gets in, and thereby promotes the development of pathogenic microflora.
The result of this process is 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;
- dry skin and mucous membranes are observed;
- a person refuses to eat;
- saliva has a viscous consistency;
- the amount of urine discharge is significantly lower than normal;
- weakness and lethargy are observed.
As dehydration develops, these symptoms include headache, bluish and pale skin, urine discharge is dark in color, heaviness in the stomach and heartburn are observed.
Moderate symptoms
This degree is characterized fluid loss up to 9% of body weight and can develop within two days. Symptoms:
- there is loose stool mixed with food consumed;
- frequent vomiting;
- the patient becomes restless;
- rapid heartbeat, pulse indicators are constantly changing;
- mucous membranes become dry;
- skin loses elasticity;
- there is lethargy and apathy;
- blood circulation in tissues is disrupted.
Severe symptoms
Severe dehydration develops with fluid loss of more than 10% of weight person. The symptoms are the same as for moderate degrees, but more pronounced:
- the skin and mucous membranes are very dry;
- there is no secretion of tears;
- strong thirst;
- In infants, the fontanelle sinks and there is crying without tears;
- an extremely small amount of urine is released, and it is dark in color;
- blood pressure drops;
- heart rate and respiratory rate are increased;
- increased body temperature due to lack of sweating;
- loss and confusion;
- in severe cases, death is possible.
For moderate to severe dehydration urgent hospitalization required sick.
Dangers and Consequences
Loss of fluid is very dangerous, as it damages vital organs. The brain consists of 85% water. Even minor fluid losses can have dangerous consequences. The loss of fluid affects the brain cells that are responsible for neutralizing toxins.
The capillaries of the brain perform a protective function. If there is 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).
When dehydrated, obesity can develop. People often confuse hunger with thirst. The body begins to accumulate 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 occurs 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 requires emergency medical attention.
In elderly patients, dehydration leads to pathologies of the cardiovascular system, intestinal motility disorders, swelling of internal organs, clouding of consciousness and hallucinations. Elderly people should drink at least two liters of water a 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 it is necessary to ensure sufficient water consumption. When vomiting, liquid should be supplied frequently 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 medications is most effective for mild to moderate severity. To do this, use drugs that restore water and electrolyte balance (Regidron, Hydrovit, Regidron Bio). The dosage and frequency of use depends on the individual characteristics of the body, age and body weight of the person. A similar solution can be prepared at home.
If dehydration occurs in newborns, breastfeeding should not be stopped. A nursing mother should also monitor her diet to ensure that the baby receives all the necessary microelements and water.
Severe degrees of dehydration are treated only in a medical facility by intravenous infusion of the necessary solutions.
When should I see a doctor?
Immediate medical attention required infants and elderly people. In case of persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea mixed with blood, loss of consciousness, high fever, seizures, severe dry skin and mucous membranes, you must call an ambulance.
Medicines
Regidron
The drug is available in powder form for preparing a solution. It contains microelements necessary for the body. The contents of the package are dissolved in boiled and cooled water. The resulting solution must be drunk throughout 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 bags with and without strawberry flavoring. Approved for use from infancy. Side effects may include allergies and vomiting. The drug is contraindicated in case of high potassium content in the body, frequent vomiting and renal failure.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of the product 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 symptoms disappear completely.
Lemon water. To replenish vitamins and microelements, add a few slices of lemon, a spoonful of honey, a little salt and pepper to a glass of clean water. Mix everything and take throughout the day.
Water and barley. Take some 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
Diet for dehydration should completely replenish fluid reserves. It is necessary to consume more meat and chicken broths. Include foods rich in sodium and potassium in your diet (tomatoes, potatoes, nuts, bananas, green vegetables and citrus fruits). It is not recommended to drink tea, coffee, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, fried, spicy and smoked foods.
You need to eat small portions up to five times a day.
Sample menu for the day
- Breakfast 1: oatmeal with water, lightly brewed tea.
- Breakfast 2: dried fruit compote, crackers, 1 banana.
- Lunch: vegetable soup, steamed meatballs, compote.
- Afternoon snack: green tea with mint, unsalted cookies.
- Dinner: rice with steamed meatballs, compote.
Drinking regimen
For normal functioning of the body, you need to drink 2.5 liters of water per day. Less consumption leads to weight loss, thirst, nausea and increased body temperature. Excessive water consumption also negatively affects the condition of organs and tissues. Too thin blood threatens pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, and diluted gastric juice disrupts digestion. Frequent trips to the toilet also disrupt kidney function.
Compliance with precautionary measures and preventive measures will ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the human body.
It is important not to self-medicate and seek help from a specialist in a timely manner.
The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!
What is poisoning?
Poisoning 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 poisonings
In clinical practice, it is customary to classify poisonings 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, the following are distinguished:
- Food poisoning– when toxins or poisons enter the human body along with food ( through the gastrointestinal tract).
- Poisoning through the respiratory tract– when the toxin enters the body along with 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 bloodstream.
- Poisoning in which the toxin is administered directly intravenously or intramuscularly.
- Food intoxication ( food poisoning) – in this case, the disease is caused by eating food that has 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 that under normal conditions should not enter the human body.
- Poisoning with cauterizing substances ( acids or alkalis) – allocated to a separate group, due to the peculiarities of their clinical manifestations.
- Drug poisoning– develops due to improper use of medications.
- Ethanol poisoning ( alcohol, which is part of all alcoholic drinks) – also included in a separate group, which is explained by the specific effect of alcohol on the human body.
- 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 when small doses of toxin enter the body over a long period of time and can be asymptomatic for some time, but ultimately also leads to disruption of the functions of vital organs and systems.
Causes, types and pathogenesis ( development mechanism) food poisoning, infections and toxic infections
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 toxic infection). Each of these substances can have its own effect on the tissues and organs of the body, causing corresponding changes in them, which is accompanied by characteristic clinical manifestations and requires specific treatment. That is why it is extremely important to promptly determine the type of toxic substance and begin treatment. This will prevent the development of complications and save the patient’s life. Spicy food ( intestinal) poisoning in an adult ( expired food products, meat, fish, eggs, milk, cottage cheese)
Acute food poisoning ( food intoxication) is a group of diseases in which a person ingests any microorganisms along with food ( 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 the development of 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 killed animal was infected with any infection). In this case, the infectious agents or their toxins ( bacteria released into the environment during growth) can enter the human body by consuming insufficiently processed food ( that is, poorly fried or cooked meat). At the same time, bacteria can develop in meat that has already been cooked but not stored correctly. If it is stored outside the refrigerator for several hours or days, the number of pathogenic microorganisms in it may become sufficient to cause a foodborne infection.
- Fish. Fish poisoning can occur for the same reasons as meat poisoning ( that is, due to improper processing and improper storage of fish products). In addition, some exotic varieties of fish may contain toxic substances ( e.g. puffer fish, sea bass, barracuda). 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 puffer 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, symptoms of poisoning may be similar to common foodborne infections.
- Eggs. The risk of egg poisoning increases if you eat waterfowl eggs ( ducks, geese). The fact is that some polluted water bodies may contain the salmonella bacterium. It can get into the meat and eggs of waterfowl, and with them ( due to improper heat treatment, that is, when eating raw eggs or soft-boiled eggs) can enter the human body. Having penetrated the intestines, salmonella secretes a special toxin that affects the mucous membrane of the intestinal wall, causing clinical manifestations of intestinal infection ( diarrhea, stomach pain and so on).
- Milk. Poisoning from fresh homemade 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), which will get into the milk during milking. If you drink this milk unprocessed, there is a high risk of developing food poisoning. Moreover, it is worth noting that some animals can be carriers of pathogens of particularly dangerous infections. For example, by consuming 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 a product is left out of the refrigerator for a long time, the number of bacteria in it increases significantly ( This is facilitated by high ambient temperatures, at which the rate of bacterial reproduction increases). If you eat such cottage cheese, you may experience signs of an intestinal infection.
Poisoning by poisonous plants ( bleached, hemlock), mushrooms ( pale toadstool, fly agarics), berries ( belladonna, wolfberry)
Many plants contain substances that are toxic to the human body. Consumption of such plants or their fruits ( in particular wolfberries - 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 plant eaten).Poisoning can be caused by eating:
- Henbane. The toxicity of this plant is due to the substances it contains, in particular atropine and scopolamine. When ingested, they cause general weakness, dry mouth, severe thirst, emotional and motor agitation, and dizziness. In severe cases, visual and breathing disturbances, loss of consciousness, seizures and death may occur.
- Hemlock. The toxicity of this plant is due to the substance it contains – coniine. This is a strong poison, which, when it enters the gastrointestinal tract, is quickly absorbed through the mucous membrane and enters the blood, affecting the central nervous system. This manifests itself as progressive paralysis, in which a person loses all types of sensitivity and cannot move his arms or legs. The cause of death is usually paralysis of the respiratory muscles, causing the patient to stop breathing.
- Pale toadstool ( fly agaric). A toxin found in some fly agarics ( particularly in the toadstool) has the ability to hit ( destroy) cells of the liver and other tissues of the body, which is accompanied by disruption 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. Poisoning with them has the same symptoms as henbane poisoning.
- Wolfberry berries. Toxic substances of wolfberry ( meserine and daphnine) are found in all parts of the plant ( in fruits, roots, leaves). When eating the fruit, these toxins cause a burning sensation in the mouth. Then severe pain appears in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases, convulsions occur.
Botulism 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, sludge, animal corpses, and so on. After entering the human body, clostridia themselves do not cause the development of infection, since they can reproduce only under anaerobic conditions ( that is, in the complete absence of oxygen). Infection with botulism toxin can occur through consumption of 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. Having entered the systemic bloodstream, this toxin reaches the tissues of the central nervous system and affects them, as a result of which characteristic clinical manifestations of the disease arise.
Botulinum toxin poisoning can manifest itself:
- single vomiting and abdominal pain ( in the first hours after consuming the contaminated product);
- breathing problems;
- visual impairment;
- increased blood pressure;
- muscle weakness;
- urinary disorders and so on.
Mold poisoning
Molds are fungal microorganisms that can grow on the surface or inside of various foods. When eating foods contaminated with mold, fungi can enter the gastrointestinal tract and lead to symptoms of poisoning ( nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). This is due to the fact that many mushrooms produce 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 digestive process. In case of mold poisoning, these bacteria can be destroyed, as a result of which the digestion process of food is disrupted or slowed down. It can also lead to bloating, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain and other symptoms.
It is also worth noting that mold poisoning can also occur through the respiratory tract ( inhaling particles of pathogenic fungi - for example, with pulmonary aspergillosis). In this case, pathogenic fungi infect the lung tissue, as a result of which a frequent cough with the release of red bloody sputum may be observed ( hemoptysis), shortness of breath ( feeling of lack of air), increased body temperature, chest pain, and so on.
Vitamin poisoning
Vitamin poisoning can occur with 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. Nausea and vomiting may also occur due to the effect of the vitamin on the nervous system. Patients may complain of increased drowsiness, headache, and increased body temperature. 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 may occur.
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D poisoning can also be acute ( when taking a very large dose) or chronic ( when using increased doses for a long time). In acute poisoning, patients complain of general weakness, nausea and vomiting, headaches and dizziness. In severe cases, increased heart rate, increased body temperature, and convulsions may occur. With chronic vitamin D intoxication, there is a decrease in appetite, increased irritability, and indigestion ( nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation). If left untreated, irreversible damage to the cardiovascular, skeletal and other body systems may 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, increased body temperature and a feeling of heat, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Dry skin and mucous membranes throughout the body may also occur.
- Vitamin B1. Poisoning with this vitamin can cause a feeling of weakness or fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, damage to internal organs may occur ( kidney, liver).
- Vitamin B6. Chronic poisoning with this vitamin can be accompanied by damage to the peripheral nervous system, impaired sensitivity in the extremities, a tendency to develop seizures and loss of body weight.
- Vitamin B12. The use of this vitamin in large doses can disrupt the functioning of the thyroid gland ( organ that produces hormones that regulate metabolism in the body). It was also noted that long-term chronic overdose can contribute to the development of malignant tumors.
- Folic acid. An overdose of this vitamin is manifested by nausea and vomiting, increased nervous excitability and insomnia, and headaches. In severe cases, damage to the cardiovascular system and kidneys may occur.
- 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 ( the risk of developing microbial infections increases).
Protein poisoning
Eating large amounts of protein foods ( mainly 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 foods inhibit peristalsis ( motor activity) gastrointestinal tract, which disrupts the digestion process.
- Bloating– caused by impaired intestinal motility and the development of gas-forming microflora.
- Insomnia– protein foods stimulate the central nervous system, and therefore there may be a disruption in the process of falling asleep, as well as increased nervous excitability or irritability.
- Increased body temperature– this is also associated with stimulation of the central nervous system.
- Darkening of urine– this is explained by the release of by-products of protein metabolism through the kidneys.
Water poisoning ( water poisoning)
Water poisoning ( overhydration), in fact, is not poisoning. This is a pathological condition of the body in which there is a violation of water and electrolyte metabolism. The reason for this may be severe vomiting, accompanied by loss of electrolytes ( if at the same time a person replenishes fluid loss with water that does not contain electrolytes), renal dysfunction ( in this case, the fluid is not removed from the body), excessive intravenous fluids, and so on. In addition, water poisoning can occur when drinking too much water over a short period of time. For example, drinking 2.5 - 3 liters of pure water within an hour can lead to overhydration, water-electrolyte imbalance and even death.Table 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 consuming large amounts of salt in a short period of time, a person may develop hypernatremia, a pathological condition accompanied by an increase in sodium concentration in the blood ( norm – 135 – 145 millimoles/liter). This can lead to disruption of the functioning of vital organs, as well as provoke the development of serious complications from the central nervous system.One of the first symptoms of table salt poisoning is thirst ( desire to drink water). This is explained by the fact that the increased concentration of sodium in the blood is recorded by special sensitive cells at the level of the brain. To “dilute” the blood and reduce the concentration of sodium in it, the body needs to receive a large amount of fluid from the outside, as a result of which strong ( irresistible) thirst.
Other signs of table 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 cells into the vascular bed).
Poisoning from mineral fertilizers ( nitrates)
Nitrates are chemicals ( nitric acid salts), which are used as fertilizers. Nitrates can be found in large quantities in foods that have been processed with them during the growing process. When nitrates enter the human gastrointestinal tract, they turn into so-called nitrites - toxic substances that affect red blood cells, making it impossible for them to transport oxygen. At the same time, the person begins to suffer from oxygen starvation ( feeling tired, headaches, dizziness). In severe cases, death can occur.Poisoning with rat poison
To combat rats and other small rodents, special toxic 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 of these poisons are, to one degree or another, toxic to humans if they enter the gastrointestinal tract.A person can become poisoned:
- Naphthylthiourea. If a person eats this poison, within a few minutes or hours he will experience severe vomiting, as a result of which part of the toxin will be removed from the gastrointestinal tract. If the toxin enters the systemic bloodstream in high concentrations, it can cause damage to the circulatory system, as well as the liver and lungs, which can lead to human death.
- Ratindane. When taken orally, the active substance of this poison can be absorbed into the systemic bloodstream, where it disrupts the activity of the blood coagulation system ( which normally regulates bleeding control). Immediately after poisoning, the patient may experience nausea or vomiting once. After a few days, frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding after injuries, and so on may occur. In more severe cases, hemoptysis may occur ( bleeding from the lungs when coughing), as well as the appearance of blood in the stool and urine. If specific treatment is not started, after a few days a feeling of general fatigue and lethargy may appear, 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, kidneys, central nervous system, respiratory system and so on).
- Brodifacoum. This drug also interferes with the activity of the blood coagulation system. The signs of poisoning with it are similar to those of ratindane poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning ( ethyl alcohol, vodka, wine, beer, surrogates)
Poisoning with alcoholic beverages can occur when drinking them in large quantities, as well as when drinking low-quality alcoholic beverages. It is worth noting that active ( "intoxicating") the substance of all alcoholic drinks is ethyl alcohol ( ethanol). The rate of development of intoxication, as well as the severity of symptoms of poisoning, depends on its concentration. For example, the concentration of ethanol in vodka is 40%, while in beer it is up to 8–10%. It follows that symptoms of ethanol intoxication will occur faster when drinking large amounts of vodka than beer or other ( less strong) alcoholic drinks.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 prevent its further entry.
- 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. When the concentration of ethanol in the blood increases, the activity of the central nervous system is inhibited, resulting in drowsiness and lethargy. In severe cases, a person may 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 superficial blood vessels to dilate, causing blood to rush to the skin, changing its color.
- The presence of a specific alcoholic odor. Alcohol is partially excreted through the lungs ( in the form of vapors). The higher its concentration in the blood, the more pronounced the alcoholic odor from the patient’s mouth will be. This symptom will help distinguish alcoholic coma ( extreme depression of consciousness) from other diseases in which a person may also lose consciousness.
- Breathing disorders. This may be due to damage to the central nervous system, as well as blockage of the airways by vomit ( if vomiting occurred while the person was unconscious).
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. Eating methanol is strictly prohibited, since its metabolic products ( 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, organ of vision, liver and 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 in case of 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 24 hours.
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. At later stages of development, specific signs of poisoning may appear, depending on what toxin the patient consumed ( dysfunction of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, damage to the liver, kidneys, etc.).Food poisoning can manifest itself:
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea ( loose stools, diarrhea);
- abdominal pain;
- increased body temperature;
- headaches;
- dizziness;
- intoxication of the body.
Nausea and vomiting
As stated earlier, nausea and vomiting are protective mechanisms that should slow down the entry of toxic substances into the systemic circulation. Once a 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 protective reactions.Under normal conditions, peristalsis is activated after eating ( motor activity) gastrointestinal tract. This helps mix food with digestive juices and absorb nutrients. As soon as the body “realizes” that poisoning has occurred, gastrointestinal motility immediately stops. At the same time, food stops being absorbed, stagnates in the stomach and stretches it, which creates an unpleasant feeling of nausea. After this, so-called antiperistaltic waves appear, that is, contractions of the gastrointestinal tract muscles 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 gastrointestinal 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) together with any products. For example, when consuming salmonella-contaminated ( 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. At the same time, the body loses a large amount of fluid and electrolytes, which can pose a threat to the patient’s life.In other cases, the development of diarrhea may not be associated with the infectious agent 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 disrupted. Food from the small intestine and stomach can be removed from the gastrointestinal tract through vomiting, while the contents of the large intestine remain in it. Under normal conditions, a certain part of the water is absorbed through the mucous membrane of the final sections of the gastrointestinal tract ( that is, through the mucous membrane of the large intestine). However, due to slower peristalsis, the absorption process is also disrupted, 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 repeats 1-2 times and does not pose a threat 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 syndrome during 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 foods, as well as from acidic gastric juice. In case of poisoning, the process of secretion of this mucus is disrupted, which leads to damage to the gastric mucosa and its inflammation ( gastritis). As a result of this, the patient may feel sharp, 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 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 indicate exactly where it hurts).Nagging pain 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 push intestinal contents. As poisoning develops, this function is disrupted, resulting in intestinal muscle contractions becoming too long ( that is, the muscles remain in a contracted state for 10 – 20 or more seconds). The metabolism in them is disrupted, which is accompanied by the appearance of characteristic pain.
Increased 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 exist only at a certain temperature, and when the ambient temperature rises, they die or are destroyed. That is why, in the process of evolution, the body developed this protective reaction - as soon as any foreign substance enters the systemic bloodstream, a whole series of biochemical processes are launched, the end result of which is an increase in body temperature.With any food poisoning, body temperature will rise to at least 37 - 38 degrees during the first 6 - 12 hours after eating bad or contaminated food. If the body's defenses cope with the infection, the body temperature returns to normal within 24 hours. 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 degrees or more).
Headache
Headache can accompany poisoning if toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract enter the blood in large quantities. In this case, the body’s immune system is activated, the purpose of which is to find and destroy all foreign agents that have entered the systemic bloodstream. 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, dilation of the blood vessels of the brain is observed, as a result of which some of the fluid from the bloodstream passes into the surrounding tissues. At the same time, the meningeal membrane of the brain, rich in sensory nerve endings, also stretches. All this leads to severe headaches, which can appear within the first day after the onset of poisoning and subside only after the patient’s condition normalizes ( that is, after the removal of foreign toxins and the subsidence of immune reactions).It is worth noting that in case of alcohol poisoning, headache also occurs due to dilation of blood vessels and swelling of brain tissue. However, in this case, ethyl alcohol itself has a vasodilating effect ( found 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 by 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, the development of dehydration can be facilitated by an increase in body temperature, since at the same time a person begins to sweat, and along with sweat, he also loses fluid.Since it is not always possible to recover losses ( for example, if the patient starts vomiting again when taking liquid), already 4–6 hours after the onset of the disease, the patient may experience the first signs of dehydration. If treatment is not started in 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 of the body manifests itself:
- Decreased elasticity and dry skin. Due to the fact that fluid leaves the skin, it becomes dry and less elastic, and loses its usual shine.
- Dry mucous membranes. This symptom is clearly visible in the area of the mouth, tongue and lips ( the mucous membranes become dry and then become covered with characteristic crusts).
- Pale skin. Due to a decrease in circulating blood volume, peripheral blood vessels “close” ( particularly in the skin), which allows you to maintain blood circulation in vital organs ( brain, heart, liver) at normal levels. Pale skin occurs due to the fact that the amount of blood in its vessels decreases.
- Recession of the eyeballs. Under normal conditions, there is a layer of fatty tissue between the eyeball and the posterior wall of the orbit. It supports and stabilizes the eye, preventing damage due to injury. When dehydration occurs, fluid is also removed from adipose tissue, causing it to ( fatty tissue) becomes thinner, and the eyeballs shift deeper into the eye sockets.
- Increased heart rate. With moderate or severe dehydration, circulating blood volume decreases. To compensate for losses and maintain blood supply to organs at a normal level, the heart has to pump blood at a higher speed.
- 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 water loss. One of these mechanisms is a decrease in the rate of urine production in the kidneys.
Dizziness
Dizziness may be one of the first symptoms of poisoning with certain plants and mushrooms, as well as with poisoning with alcoholic beverages or surrogates. The reason for the development of this symptom 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. For example, with severe intoxication of the body, accompanied by dehydration ( loss of fluid) and a decrease in blood pressure, there may be a disruption in the blood supply to brain cells, which will be manifested by dizziness, darkening of the eyes, or even loss of consciousness.Intoxication of the body
General intoxication syndrome is a complex of symptoms that develop in the body with any food poisoning ( regardless of its reason). The occurrence of this syndrome is due to the activation of the immune system and its fight against foreign agents. After all toxic substances are removed from the body, signs of general intoxication disappear ( simultaneously with the normalization of body temperature).Intoxication of the body can manifest itself:
- general weakness;
- decreased ability to work;
- slow thinking;
- drowsiness;
- chills ( feeling of coldness in the extremities);
- increased heartbeat;
- rapid breathing.
Symptoms of food poisoning in children
The mechanisms of 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 adults. This is due to the imperfection of the child’s body’s defenses and immune system, as well as its low compensatory capabilities. So, for example, after 2–4 attacks of vomiting or diarrhea, a child may develop dehydration, while this will not cause any serious problems in an adult. That is why it is extremely important to promptly identify the first signs and symptoms of poisoning and begin treatment measures without waiting for the baby’s condition to worsen and complications to develop.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 a child is in pain or ill, he cries).
- Increased physical activity– the child may be restless and excited.
- Protective 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 trying to straighten or lift them, they begin to cry).
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea– the reasons for the development of these symptoms are the same as for poisoning in adults.
- Increased body temperature– the temperature reaction in children can 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.
- Cramps ( seizures) – they can occur when the child’s body temperature rises above 40 degrees and are associated with impaired functioning of the nervous system.
Does blood pressure increase during poisoning?
Under normal conditions, blood pressure ( HELL) person is 120/80 millimeters of mercury. Food poisoning itself does not cause an increase in blood pressure. At the initial stage of the disease, when the patient experiences severe vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, his blood pressure may be slightly higher than normal. This is due to increased pressure in the abdominal cavity ( while vomiting), as well as activation of the body’s defense systems, one of the manifestations of which is the narrowing of blood vessels and increased blood pressure. After the vomiting subsides, the pressure usually returns to normal within an hour.At the same time, it is worth noting that in case of severe poisoning ( that is, with the development of dehydration and other complications) there may be a drop in blood pressure below normal. This is an extremely dangerous symptom, indicating the depletion of the body’s compensatory capabilities. This may interfere with the blood supply to vital organs ( primarily the brain), as a result of which the 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 does not always occur. 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 bloodstream. However, in some poisonings, the toxic agent does not enter the systemic bloodstream, 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 slightly rise ( up to 37 – 37.5 degrees).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 toxic substance enters the body.Depending on the severity there are:
- Mild poisoning. The disease does not cause dysfunction of vital organs. Treatments 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, it is recommended that such poisonings be treated in a hospital setting, 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, and 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 a hospital, since otherwise there is a high risk of complications and death.
- Extremely severe poisoning. In this case, the dysfunction 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 specific treatment must begin. Otherwise, death is inevitable.
- Poisoning with fatal outcome. In this case, poisoning with any substances leads to the death of the patient, despite all the efforts of doctors ( if any occurred, that is, if the patient managed to be hospitalized
And other unpleasant conditions of the body, dehydration may also occur.
In today's article we will talk about dehydration: signs, causes and ways to prevent dehydration, because correct actions in certain situations can save more than one human life. So…
Dehydration (dehydration)- a pathological condition of the body caused by a decrease in the amount of water in it below the physiological norm necessary for the normal functioning of all human organs.
The human body consists on average of 60% water. Digestion is based on water, water lubricates the joints, helps remove waste products, and is required for breathing, because the lungs need constant hydration in order to saturate the blood with oxygen and free it from excess carbon dioxide.
A person can survive without water from 3 to 10 days, which depends on the ambient air temperature, physical activity and psychological state of the person.
Dehydration is deadly in both hot and cold weather.
A sudden loss of a large amount of fluid by the body, or its presence in small quantities, sharply increases the feeling of thirst, but if you start drinking water immoderately, this can lead to sudden swelling and even death.
Dehydration is very dangerous for children, the elderly, and especially for newborn babies. Monitor symptoms closely, and as soon as this group of people develops an illness that causes fever, nausea, or diarrhea, contact your doctor immediately!
Types and degrees of dehydration
Dehydration levels:
- mild dehydration (loss of 5-6% or 1-2 liters of water);
- average (loss of 6-10% or 2-4 l);
- severe (loss of 10% or more than 4 liters);
- acute (loss of more than 10 liters of water) - this degree of dehydration is life-threatening.
Types of dehydration:
— isotonic (the salt composition of the blood is normal);
- hypertensive (increased concentration of blood salts);
- hypotonic (reduced concentration of blood salts).
Causes of dehydration
- and (for example, caused by food poisoning);
- increased sweating (may be associated with hot weather, increased physical activity or intense training);
- or ;
- frequent urination;
- (headache in the morning is a sign of dehydration);
- burns.
Important! A loss of 20-25% of water is fatal.
The first signs of dehydration:
- dry mouth and viscous saliva;
- dark urine with a pungent odor, rarely and in small quantities;
- apathy, irritation;
— ;
— , ;
— .
Symptoms of dehydration (from mild to severe in increasing order):
- strong thirst;
- general malaise;
- slowing down movements;
- lack of appetite;
- skin redness;
- drowsiness;
- the appearance of dark circles under the eyes;
- increased heart rate;
- increased body temperature;
- , vomit;
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- shortness of breath;
- tingling in the limbs;
- decrease in blood volume and increase in its viscosity;
- lack of salivation and dry eyes;
- cyanosis;
- slurred speech;
- loss of ability to move;
- rave;
- muscle spasms;
- tongue swelling;
- inability to swallow;
- dullness of hearing and vision;
- involuntary urination;
- cooling the body.
Complications of dehydration
- kidney damage;
- shock (rapid breathing, cold sweat, clammy skin, rapid pulse, weak pulse, loss of consciousness);
- dehydration can be fatal, especially in infectious diseases and in the weakened.
Consequences of dehydration
If dehydration of the body is not prevented in time in the initial stages and the condition is allowed to progress, this leads to a decrease in the volume of intracellular fluid, which in turn leads to the onset of irreversible processes.
The consequences of dehydration can manifest themselves as:
— disruption of food processing and transportation of vital substances;
— ;
- weakening of the immune system, and as a result, the development of various diseases;
- premature aging.
Treatment of dehydration– this is the fastest restoration of the body’s water balance.
For severe dehydration, there is so little fluid that blood circulation is disrupted, and all vital organs for the functioning of the body begin to “starve”. Treatment of severe dehydration is carried out only in a hospital setting, so be sure to call an ambulance if you have symptoms.
Treatment of moderate and severe forms includes intravenous fluids and hospital treatment.
Treatment of mild to moderate dehydration is aimed at restoring the lost volume of fluid and blood and in most cases, depending on the accompanying symptoms, is allowed at home.
Treatment of mild to moderate dehydration
1. Provide the victim complete rest. Place the patient on a flat surface and, if possible, place him in a cool, damp area with good air circulation.
2. Give the victim plenty of fluids. For this it is recommended to use:
- ordinary water;
— drinks containing carbohydrates/electrolytes/ / (mineral waters);
— frozen juices and ice shavings;
- drinks containing glucose.
You need to drink liquid slowly and in small portions. You can use a straw for this.
3. To accelerate the restoration of lost intracellular and intercellular fluid, as well as restore the water-salt balance of the body, you can give the patient special (rehydration) medications: “”, “Gastrolit”, “Orasan”.
Homemade rehydration solution, recipe: 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 glass orange juice and ¾ teaspoon salt. Drink in small sips 3 times a day.
3. If dehydration occurs as a result of overheating, it is necessary to direct efforts to normalize, for this:
- place the person in a well-ventilated and cool room, if possible, point a fan at him;
- remove all excess clothing from the patient, loosen the rest;
- Apply a cool wet cloth to the forehead, and if possible, wrap the whole person with a similar cloth, or let him take a shower;
- periodically the person can be sprayed with cool water;
When taking actions aimed at normalizing body temperature, be careful not to overcool the person, otherwise the blood vessels will narrow and restoration of health will be delayed, and can also cause other diseases.
See a doctor immediately if:
1. Dehydration has occurred in an infant, a child under 10 years of age, or an elderly person;
2. Dehydration is observed in severe or acute forms:
Preventing dehydration
Dehydration is much easier to prevent than to treat.
To prevent dehydration:
- drink at least 2-3 liters of clean water (not including other drinks) throughout the day, regardless of the weather and your level of activity;
- drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have a fever, nausea or diarrhea;
— active children on a walk on a hot day need to drink at least 150 g of water every 30 minutes;
- adults in hot weather during physical activity need to drink at least 1 liter of water per hour;
— make it a habit to always have a bottle of regular water with you and drink it throughout the day.
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 caused by an excess of water being removed from it compared to its intake. Lack of water provokes the emergence of a variety of diseases. For example, water lubricates joints and participates in the processes of digestion and respiration, since human lungs need continuous hydration in order to free the blood from carbon dioxide and saturate it with oxygen.
Basically, dehydration occurs due to dry 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 disturbances in water-salt metabolism.
Blood that has lost the required 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 times.
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 must be restored. If the required amount of moisture is not restored, such losses lead to its deficiency.
The main reasons for lack of water in the human body are:
- Intense sweating;
- Increased urination;
- Severe nausea and vomiting;
- Acute diarrhea;
- Insufficient fluid intake caused by loss of appetite or vomiting.
Symptoms of dehydration
The first symptom of dehydration is, naturally, an increased feeling of thirst, however, it does not manifest itself in everyone from the very beginning of this pathological process. The surest sign of its presence is a change in the color and quantity of urine: if its volume has decreased significantly 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, sure signs of dehydration are severe sweating at high temperatures and physical exertion, dark circles under the eyes, a noticeable decrease in activity, fatigue and various disturbances in the functioning of the senses.
It is known that a lack of fluid primarily has a negative effect on the brain, since it consists of 85% water. In conditions of its shortage, energy production in the brain sharply decreases, which greatly affects the senses. That is why among the symptoms of dehydration the following should be highlighted:
- Irritability and restlessness;
- Dejection and depression;
- Weakening of sexual desire;
- Heaviness in the head and headaches;
- Food addictions, cravings for alcohol, smoking and drugs.
All these signs of dehydration may indicate the initial stage of depression, which can trigger the development of chronic fatigue in a person. According to some experts, 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 leading to fainting;
- Grayness 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 of dehydration
Experts note that dehydration is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, regardless of activity level and health status, it is necessary to drink the maximum amount of fluid throughout the day. The risk group primarily includes young children and older people, especially with attacks of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and fever.
Treatment for dehydration involves drinking water constantly, but if you lose electrolytes, you need to replace the lack of sodium and potassium. To restore salts, there are special formulations such as glucosolan or citraglucosolan, which can be used both for prevention and for mild dehydration. It is recommended to add a little salt to your drinking water during or after heavy physical activity. However, this method is considered effective only if you drink a lot of water during the day.
When fluid deficiency leads to a significant decrease in blood pressure, which poses a threat to life, solutions containing sodium chloride are administered intravenously. In addition, to treat dehydration, it is necessary to eliminate the cause that provoked it. For example, for diarrhea, in addition to restoring the required amount of water, you should take medications that correct stool. If the kidneys excrete a lot of water, treatment with a synthetic hormone may be needed.
After eliminating the cause of dehydration, it is necessary to monitor fluid intake and prevent relapses. To do this, it is recommended for an adult to drink at least 2-3 liters of water daily, especially in hot weather and during significant physical activity.
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 high intensity vomiting and diarrhea, the patient's body can lose a large amount of fluid, which leads to the development of dehydration.
Health care professionals define dehydration as too much fluid loss. This condition develops not only with diarrhea and vomiting; high temperature, profuse sweating, thirst and other factors can also lead to it. Dehydration can affect people of any gender and age, but it is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly.
The reasons for increased fluid loss may be different, but still the most common cause of dehydration is diarrhea and vomiting due to infectious pathologies. Taking certain medications can only worsen the problem.
Signs of dehydration with diarrhea
A very alarming symptom in a diagnostic sense is rapid weight loss. It can amount to several kilograms in 3-4 days. Losing weight by more than 10% of the original weight is considered very severe. The main manifestations of dehydration during diarrhea are signs of a lack of moisture in the body. Severe dehydration can lead to fluid imbalance, 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 stringiness of saliva, and change in the color of urine.
For mild to moderate pathology The following symptoms may be observed:
- increased thirst;
- reduction 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 becomes dark in color, its amount decreases significantly;
- In infants, the fontanelle sinks;
- blood pressure decreases noticeably;
- heartbeat and breathing rate increase;
- sweat production decreases, which can lead to an increase in temperature;
- Often patients become irritable, their consciousness may become confused;
- in particularly 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. If you have obvious symptoms of dehydration, especially with diarrhea, fever and vomiting, you should definitely seek medical help.
Dehydration due to diarrhea in a child
Dehydration due to diarrhea is especially dangerous for young children, since in infants all symptoms develop very quickly. A baby under 6 months of age should drink 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, since large amounts of fluid are released along with feces and vomit. High temperature can aggravate the situation. Therefore, in case of any illness, young children require increased attention. If your child experiences dark urine, a decrease in urine quantity, or dry lips and skin, you should call your doctor. Severe repeated vomiting and diarrhea in themselves are a reason to call specialists.
Regularly pouring a small (1-2 spoons) amount of water into the baby’s mouth will help prevent the development of dehydration during diarrhea. This needs to be done every 10 minutes. Such measures replenish fluid loss and do not provoke repeated vomiting. Breastfeeding women can be advised to put their baby to the breast as often as possible, even if the mother is also showing signs of illness. After all, in this case, antibodies against pathogenic microorganisms will be present in mother's milk. After an attack of vomiting, the baby can be breastfed only after some time, so as not to cause a new attack. During 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 last more than 5-6 hours;
- the baby cries a lot, is capricious, and becomes drowsy and apathetic;
- the child’s lips become dry and cracked;
- the skin dries out and loses its normal elasticity;
- the number of urinations decreases significantly.
How to avoid dehydration with diarrhea
In order to prevent the development of dehydration, it is necessary to begin introducing fluid into the body at the first sign of its appearance. In a medical facility, 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 liquid, but if vomiting, single portions should be very small. When vomiting and diarrhea, a person can be given a water-salt solution to prevent dehydration. It is easy to prepare at home. To do this, you will need 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.
Medicine for dehydration and diarrhea
Treatment of dehydration due to diarrhea consists of replenishing the amount of fluid in the body and restoring 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 help normalize the balance of electrolytes in the body. You can prepare a similar solution yourself at home. To do this, you need to dissolve 6 small spoons of sugar and 1 spoon of salt in a liter of clean water. When administered, the solution should be at room temperature. Give the child a small spoonful of water every few minutes. 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 young children become dehydrated. In addition, you definitely need to reconsider your diet.
Treatment of dehydration in adults includes fluid replenishment, but it is better to give preference to plain water. For diarrhea and diarrhea, it is also recommended to take a rehydrating solution. Severe forms of dehydration in both adults and children are treated in a hospital setting with intravenous fluids.
Every person needs water for normal functioning of the body. The liquid transports necessary substances to the tissues and cells of the body and 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. If you lose even 2% of water, your health worsens. In addition, mood drops, there is a lack of energy, and the functioning of various organs and systems is disrupted. Mental activity suffers. The heart muscle functions poorly. Dehydration and 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, elderly people, and patients suffering from serious illnesses. For them, dehydration is especially dangerous and often leads to death.
The mechanism of pathology development
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 for three to ten days. However, these indicators vary depending on weather conditions, physical activity and the emotional background of the individual. Dehydration in 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 adults and children. If for certain reasons the human body lacks fluid, it begins to take it from the body tissues. Consequently, the amount of urine excreted is reduced and the individual sweats less. In severe cases of the disease, the cells of the brain and other organs decrease in volume. The result of this process can be coma and other serious disorders.
Causes of dehydration
Factors that can cause this condition include:
- 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.
- Heavy sweating due to intense exercise.
- Heatstroke.
- Lack of food or fluid.
- 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 adults and children depend on the severity of the disease.
Stages of dehydration
There are several stages of the condition:
- Mild degree (it is diagnosed when there is a loss of no more than 3 percent of moisture and does not pose a threat to the patient’s life).
- Average (shortage of 6% water).
- Severe form (fluid deficiency is 9%). The patient's life is at risk and he needs medical care in a hospital setting.
- Critical (loss of 10 percent of moisture, in many cases ending in death).
General signs characteristic of dehydration
Regardless of the reason that provoked this phenomenon, the following symptoms of dehydration are observed:
- Feeling the need to drink fluids.
- Feeling of dryness in the mouth.
- Decreased urine and sweat output.
- Dark skin tone under the eyes.
- Severe dizziness.
- Brokenness.
- Dark yellow coloration of urine.
- Headache.
- Decreased skin tone.
- Disorders of consciousness.
- Decrease in blood pressure.
- Loss of body weight (observed in rare cases).
- High fever (most common in children).
It should be noted that when the body is dehydrated, 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 overwhelmed and tired.
- The appearance of weakness in the muscles.
- Unpleasant sensations in joints and bones.
- Retention of stool.
- Discomfort in the upper part of the peritoneum.
- Flabbiness and grayish tint of the skin.
- Headache.
When the body is dehydrated, the symptoms indicated above indicate that a person urgently needs to take measures to restore fluid balance. If this does not happen, the disease can move to the next stage.
Moderate dehydration
This condition provokes dysfunction of several organs and systems. The malaise manifests itself in this way:
- The patient experiences an acceleration in heart rate.
- The breathing process is disrupted even in the absence of physical activity.
- Body temperature is greatly elevated. Antipyretic drugs are not able to reduce it.
- Urine production is suspended for 12 hours.
Signs of severe dehydration
If the body is severely dehydrated, the patient will experience the following symptoms:
- Feeling nauseous.
- Exhausting vomiting.
- Disorder of consciousness.
- Wrinkling of the skin.
Severe dehydration leads to impaired blood supply. This situation is very dangerous.
Consequences that pose a threat to the patient’s life
Dehydration can cause the following disorders in the body:
- Disorder of the functions of the urinary system.
- State of shock. The pathology is characterized by a pale tint of the skin, accelerated breathing, sweating, and loss of consciousness.
- Fatal outcome in the absence of adequate therapy.
Consequences of chronic water shortage
The lack of fluid can be acute. However, its symptoms are pronounced. However, it happens that a person experiences a slight lack of water, but it is constantly present. And although severe discomfort is not observed in this case, the condition is dangerous because it provokes serious complications. The consequences can be listed:
- Disorders 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 palsy, cancer, senile dementia.
- Problems with conception.
Signs from the nervous system
Continuing to talk about what symptoms of dehydration are noted first, 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 sleep quality.
- 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 signal from the brain that a person needs water.
- Dreams in which seas, rivers or lakes are present.
These signs are characteristic of chronic dehydration. They indicate that as a result of illness or poor lifestyle, a person does not receive enough fluid.
Dehydration in an expectant mother
Symptoms of dehydration in women often occur during pregnancy.
They are caused by the following reasons:
- Excessive physical activity and insufficient fluid intake.
- Diarrhea and vomiting as a result of intestinal infections, toxicosis or poisoning from spoiled foods.
- Traveling by plane. Dehydration in this case is caused by a refusal to drink a normal amount of water due to the inability to visit the bathroom on time (in pregnant women, urination is very frequent). In addition, low levels of air humidity disrupt the fluid balance in a woman’s body.
- Overheating and prolonged exposure to the sun.
It is important for the expectant mother to drink enough water. After all, malaise can affect not only her well-being, but also the condition of the fetus.
Dehydration in minors
The following are observed:
- Dry skin, lips and tongue.
- No tears.
- Increased fatigue. The baby becomes lethargic and does not show activity.
- Decreased amount of urine.
- Loss of appetite.
- High temperature and increased heart rate.
If parents notice the appearance of these symptoms in a child, they urgently need to call an ambulance. Indeed, for minors, dehydration is especially dangerous and can quickly lead to death.
How to alleviate the patient's condition?
Assistance activities include the following:
- The person must be laid on a flat surface.
- It is advisable that it be located in a cool room in which air circulates well. It is recommended to remove or unbutton clothes.
- The patient is given drinks often, but in small portions, in small sips. Plain water, mineral water, and frozen juice help restore fluid balance in the body.
- You should use special products (“Regidron”, “Orasan”, “Hydrovit”).
- A wet cloth is applied to the forehead. It is advisable to take a shower. If this is not possible, wipe your body and face with cool water.
Sometimes dehydration can be a consequence of frequent and loose stools. This occurs as a result of intestinal infection or intoxication with spoiled foods. If dehydration occurs due to diarrhea, the symptoms of this condition are alleviated by taking medications that stop diarrhea and the activity of viruses.
How to prevent the development of pathology?
To avoid dehydration, you need to:
- Avoid exercising in hot weather.
- Do not stay in the sun for a long time.
- Don't get carried away with sugar and alcoholic drinks.
- Don't forget about proper drinking regimen.
When talking about dehydration, symptoms in adults and treatment of this condition, it should be added that moderate and severe pathology requires treatment in a hospital setting. Signs of mild dehydration can be managed on your own.
Summer heat is a harsh test for the body, which often leads to dehydration. And this is fraught with more serious illnesses. How to recognize it in the early stages? What to do at the first symptoms? What should you eat if you are dehydrated? Let's figure it out together.
Who is guilty
The most common cause of dehydration in the summer is food poisoning with inevitable vomiting and diarrhea. Strenuous physical activity also causes excessive fluid loss. Overheating in the sun, poor drinking habits 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. What are the dangers of dehydration? First of all, metabolic disorders. After all, water delivers vital elements to all organs. And with its deficiency, malfunctions in the functioning of all systems begin, toxins are eliminated worse, cells are destroyed and the immune system weakens.
Life-giving cocktails
The danger of dehydration is especially great for children and the elderly, as well as for those with 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 regular or mineral water without gas per day.
What should you drink if your body is dehydrated and has become serious? Special saline solutions that are available in any pharmacy. However, they can be made at home. Dilute ½ tsp in a liter of boiled water. soda, 1 tsp. salt and 2-4 tbsp. l. Sahara. For another folk recipe, take 250 ml of orange juice, stir ½ tsp in it. 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 you are dehydrated, but also what to eat. And here, summer vegetables are ahead of all products. 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. This striking combination improves metabolism, nourishes the heart and normalizes sugar levels.
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 exposure to ultraviolet radiation. That's why it makes the healthiest summer salads and cosmetic masks. When dehydrated, it is also helpful to lean on spinach, celery, radishes, cabbage and tomatoes.
Healing with fruits
Considering that the cause of dehydration is a lack of fluid and vitamins, you can replenish their loss with the help of fruits and berries. In this regard, it is most beneficial if it consists of more than 90% water. In addition, it is rich in antioxidants, which protect cells from destruction.
Any citrus fruit is an invaluable gift for the body when there is a lack of moisture. Their juicy pulp gushes with vitamins A, C and E, essential for good health. To get the full amount, it's best to make a smoothie. In a blender, beat 150 g of pitted apricots, 200 ml of yogurt, 250 ml of orange juice and 1 tsp. vanilla sugar. And if you are dehydrated, it is recommended to include apples, plums, kiwis and any berries in your diet.
Fermented milk therapy
Fermented milk products will help you heal as soon as possible 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. Kefir has been proven to combat fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps and excessive sweating.
Greek yogurt is not inferior to it in beneficial properties. Lactic acid bacteria are a powerful nourishment for a broken 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 effect.
From the world by thread
There are several other foods that are helpful in preventing dehydration. First of all, these are beans with its very successful set of elements. Iron improves the flow of oxygen to cells, zinc improves carbohydrate metabolism, and sulfur prevents intestinal infections.
Being a generous source of slow carbohydrates, buckwheat is great for reducing energy loss. Its active substances stimulate hematopoiesis and increase the elasticity of blood vessels. In addition, the body absorbs buckwheat easily, thereby receiving a colossal 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 combined 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 more fluids, eat right, and spend less time in the hot sun without protection. And if alarming symptoms cannot be overcome, consult a doctor immediately.
Everyone knows about the benefits of water, but sometimes we have no idea about its lack in the body. Meanwhile, Bad mood, anxiety, depression, insomnia - these are perhaps the most harmless manifestations of dehydration, which is caused by the lack of habit of drinking water.
Dehydration is a state of lack of water necessary for chemical and metabolic processes that do not stop for a moment throughout our lives.
The human body primarily consists of water, but most of it cannot participate in vital ongoing processes that require only fresh water. The “old” one, 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, changing hormonal balance, increasing blood concentration and body acidity.
Stress often triggers irreversible processes in the development of mental, cardiac, endocrine, and cancer diseases, destroys cells of the spinal cord, brain, and bone tissue, which leads to osteoporosis.
Pain is a sure sign of dehydration
Doctor and scientist Fereydoun Batmanghelidj, author of the book “Your Body Is Asking for Water,” who has devoted more than 20 years to studying water metabolism and the phenomenon of pain, considers pain a true, but ignored sign of a lack of water in the body.
If the pain is not a consequence of injury or infection, then it is a signal of water deficiency in the place where it occurred.
Pain is the body's cry about the lack of water to flush out the area affected by dehydration of toxins and increased acidity, which are metabolic products.
Nerve cells detect and transmit changes in the chemical environment in the affected area. The brain tries to tell us about the problem through pain.
Critical signs of dehydration:
- heartburn,
- dyspepsia (digestive disorder when the stomach is “stuck”),
- back pain,
- rheumatoid joint pain,
- pain in legs when walking,
- muscle pain,
- pain with colitis and constipation,
- pain in the heart area,
- morning sickness and vomiting during pregnancy indicates thirst of the fetus and mother,
- bad breath,
- talking in your sleep.
F. Batmanghelidj, during his medical practice, proved that sufficient water consumption can get rid of pain and the causes of many ailments.
Thirst for the brain will turn into depression
When water supplies are depleted, the brain, which consists of 85% water, is the most dehydrated; nine trillion of its cells constantly need it. In conditions of water shortage, the amount of energy sharply decreases, which is reflected, first of all, on the sense organs, forming in them
Sensory signs of thirst:
- untimely fatigue,
- anxiety,
- irritability,
- flushed face,
- depression,
- heaviness in the head
- despondency,
- weakening of sexual desire,
- agoraphobia (fear of open spaces),
- food addictions,
- craving for alcohol, smoking, drugs.
These signs may indicate the early stages of depression. A person, faced with an emotional problem, becomes fixated on it; he is unable to perceive any other information and respond to it with the necessary actions.
Problems consume him so much that for some period of time sober thinking and normal behavior are absent.
Of such kind ineffectiveness of actions is called depression, which can become a prerequisite for chronic fatigue.
Dr. Batmanghelidj's advice:
If you get out of bed in the morning and start your daily life, it means your body and brain are dehydrated. The best tonic for the brain is a glass of clean water, which can bring the brain out of apathy in just a couple of minutes.
According to Batmanghelidj's theory, a lack of water in brain tissue provokes constant social stress, which is accompanied by feelings of fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and frequent family and emotional problems.
All-consuming emotional and mental activity is necessary for a person; it contributes to the formation of personality, shapes and strengthens character, and develops the ability to cope with one’s own negative emotions.
Usually short-term, it passes quickly if you are surrounded by care, love and mutual understanding, which help resolve any conflicts.
However, recently the number of people falling into long-term depression due to life difficulties has increased. The help of antidepressant medications 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 thoughts of suicide.
The mechanism of stress during dehydration. What depletes the body's reserves
When there is a shortage of water in the body, it has to work in emergency mode: launch physiological processes, as with any other stress, mobilize all its reserves and use up water reserves.
Thus, a chain of events is observed:
dehydration - stress - consumption of water reserves - further dehydration.
In any stressful situation, the human body prepares for active action - to fight or flee. He cannot explain the fact that modern man has no one to run from and no one to fight with. Reactions inherent at the genetic level always work: either run or fight. Moreover, they work no matter where: at work, at home or in transport.
This happens:
- release of powerful hormones that remain “combat ready” throughout stress (endorphins, prolactin, vasopressin),
- release of cortisone
- activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS).
Endorphin. This natural drug or joy hormone maintains a high concentration in the blood during all times of stress. Endorphins increase the pain threshold: if an injury occurs, the person does not feel the fullness of the pain at first, which allows him to take the necessary actions to save himself. In women, endorphins are activated more often in connection with menstruation and childbirth. This explains their better resistance to stress and pain, as well as a higher predisposition to alcoholism (more on this later).
Prolactin is responsible for the production of breast milk in a nursing woman; it is produced in all species of mammals. Thanks to this hormone, milk is produced even under conditions of stress, leading to dehydration of the mother's body. Prolactin is similar to growth hormones in many ways, but its main target is the reproductive organs.
Scientists have made a sensational conclusion: Dehydration is one of the main causes of cancer development. The risk group consists of people who are in a state of long-term depression: Excessive production of prolactin provokes the development of breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.
Strange as it may sound, an effective prevention of this terrible disease is the habit of regularly drinking water, especially when under 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 products.
Vasopressin- a hormone produced by the pituitary gland is involved in the rational distribution of water.
In conditions of dehydration, vasopressin primarily provides water to the cells of the brain, nerves, kidneys, and liver. To do this, it constricts the 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 pressure on the kidneys a thousand times. Salt retention in the kidneys occurs, and the volume of extracellular water and its influx into the most important cells increases.
If vasopressin levels are low, general dehydration occurs, including the most important brain cells. The production of vasopressin is significantly suppressed by alcohol, caffeine-containing drinks, tea and coffee.
Alcohol under stress conditions, it reduces the production of vasopressin, the body has to intensively produce other anti-stress hormones, including endorphins. When women become dehydrated while drinking alcohol, the risk of developing chronic alcoholism increases.
This is due to their natural tendency to increase the synthesis of endorphins during menstruation and childbirth.
Women only need 3 years to become completely dependent on alcohol; men usually need seven years.
Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is activated in the kidneys when the body’s reserves of water and salt decrease, the lack of which leads to dehydration.
The RAS stimulates increased salt intake to induce thirst and thus water consumption. RAS, like vasopressin, causes a narrowing of capillaries and blood vessels, squeezing out all the fluid from them for more important organs.
Lack of salt in the body leads to a destructive lack of water in the extracellular space, contributes to increased blood pressure and the development of chronic diseases. When there is a deficiency of salt, the salivary glands produce kinins - substances that stimulate increased salivation in the salivary glands, and also activate the RAS.
Warning signs of dehydration are
- high blood pressure,
- vasoconstriction (headache),
- dry mouth.
What are the risks 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 worsen dehydration. Caffeine content per cup: coffee - 85 mg, tea or cola - approximately 50 mg.
Caffeine releases energy even when the body does not need it at all. By constantly replacing water with caffeine-containing drinks, the body is deprived of the ability to generate hydroelectric energy necessary for normal functioning.
Excess caffeine undermines health and leads to:
- to the inability of prolonged concentration of attention in young people,
- to chronic fatigue,
- inhibits memory development and learning processes,
- impairs vision,
- depletes the heart muscle
- disrupts the functioning of the heart and blood vessels,
- provokes gastrointestinal diseases, allergies, cancer,
- destruction of nerve tissue occurs at a rate exceeding their natural regeneration. Externally, this process manifests itself in the form of chronic fatigue and multiple sclerosis.
Thus,
Causes of chronic unintentional dehydration include:
- lack of feeling of thirst and desire to drink water, which steadily weaken after 20 years,
- replacing water with drinks.
The era of evolution has “rewarded” us with a reduced sense of thirst. We kill it completely by drinking drinks instead of water that satisfy the feeling, but not the need for water itself. Daily water intake: 20 ml - per 1 kg of weight. If you lead an active lifestyle or are losing 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 devotes all its reserves to providing 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, the immune system is restored and easily copes with the causes of illnesses and even cancer.
The outstanding doctor and scientist Batmanghelidj is confident, and I completely agree with him:
Without changing your lifestyle, you cannot improve your health. Any pain indicates that we are living incorrectly. Traditional medicines are not able to cure; they only suppress diseases, but do not remove the causes. If you rely on medications, you can lose precious time and health. By drinking the required amount of water, the body is able to cleanse itself and improve its health within a few months.
Think of water as a healing liquid that gives life. Dissolve all your worries 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 health discovery (2 liters of water daily, no caffeine and a little salt for seasoning). I can confidently say that I am deeply shocked by the amazing results. Before this, I suffered from swelling in my legs for years, but now, after two weeks, the swelling has practically disappeared.
I also appreciate getting rid of my addiction to caffeine and sugar. I am filled with energy and a thirst for life. I had forgotten the slump that usually follows caffeine-induced energy. Having broken out of the vicious circle, I became calmer, more balanced and much more productive at work, I began to look at things more optimistically and be more attentive to the natural rhythms of my body, which I previously drowned out with caffeine.
Your discovery really brought me back to life.
Sincerely, John Kuna.
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