What does dehydration lead to? Dehydration: causes, symptoms and treatment

The human body mainly consists of liquid, so it is very important for the normal functioning of all vital systems to maintain its amount at the proper level.

What is dehydration?

Dehydration is a decrease in fluid in the human body below the physiological norm. As a result of water loss, a person experiences a lack of it, and therefore the water-salt balance is disturbed. This is a balance between the aqueous environment and minerals, which leads to blood thickening and an increase in the concentration of cellular elements. How to determine dehydration, what are its symptoms and how to avoid it - the answers to these questions will be discussed below.

Degree of dehydration

There are several degrees of dehydration, these are:

1. Light form. When about 6% of the total amount of fluid in the body is lost, this is approximately 1-2 liters.
2. Moderate dehydration. This is a decrease in fluid from 6 to 10%, that is, its loss is from 2 to 4 liters
3. Severe dehydration. In this case, more than 4 liters of liquid are lost, that is, more than 10%.
4. Acute dehydration. Loss of more than 10 liters of fluid is life-threatening. This condition can lead to coma or death. Since only a specialist can determine dehydration of the human body, that is, the degree of dehydration, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor for advice and treatment.

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

1. Isotonic, when the salt composition of the blood is normal.
2. Hypertensive, when the concentration of salt in the blood is increased.
3. Hypotonic, when the amount of salt is reduced.

How does fluid loss affect the human body from the inside?

Before you can identify dehydration in a child or adult, you need to understand how it works inside the body. Liquid is found not only in all cells of the human body, but also outside them. The medium contains mineral salts: sodium and potassium (electrolytes), which are necessary for carrying out important body processes. When water is removed from cells and tissues, the amount of electrolytes decreases, and the cells literally “dry out.” All this leads to the failure of all working systems of the body and subsequently to serious diseases.

When does dehydration occur?

If a lack of water in the body leads to serious human illnesses, then, in turn, hydration is an excellent way to maintain health. How to determine dehydration, what signs of this negative process exist?

1. With excessive vomiting and diarrhea.
2. For intestinal obstruction.
3. With peritonitis.
4. For large burns.
5. For pancreatitis.
6. With increased urination.
7. At high temperatures, etc.

Dehydration or loss of fluid by the body can occur during extreme heat, when a person sweats a lot, during physical exertion or hard work, during alcohol abuse, with certain diseases, for example, diabetes, etc.

How do you know if your body is getting enough fluid?

Dehydration may present with atypical symptoms, such as chronic fatigue and constant hunger. These symptoms are associated with a large accumulation in the body, which requires fluid to be removed, which the body does not receive enough. Also atypical signs include slagging. Due to lack of fluid, sodium is retained in the cells, which contributes to clogging. A large amount of toxins causes headaches, foul sweat, and constipation. An unhealthy complexion appears.

What symptoms will help you understand whether the body needs fluid, how to determine this? Dehydration involves the following symptoms:

1. Dry mouth and constant desire to drink. The amount of water a person drinks should correspond to his load. Sometimes thirst is quenched very quickly, but sometimes you have to drink more liquid for the dryness to disappear.
2. Weakness, constant yawning. This symptom is felt when the human body does not receive enough substances necessary for normal functioning. Water is also included in the necessary components. To feel good, a person must eat well, that is, eat and drink, and eat in moderation.
3. Loss of appetite. When your body is dehydrated, you don't feel like eating. But some diseases can also affect it - stress, etc.
4. Increased body temperature, which must be reduced in various ways.

In addition to the above symptoms, when the body is dehydrated, dizziness, tachycardia or chills may occur. It can also lead to serious problems such as shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and increased temperature. If the body loses a lot of water, nausea and vomiting, convulsions may begin, and if these symptoms occur, you should call a doctor. To restore the body, the doctor will most likely use intravenous drips with saline solution. This treatment must be carried out within the walls of a hospital; such patients are not left at home.

Dehydration in infants

Children are more prone to dehydration than adults. How to determine dehydration in a baby? Main signs and symptoms:

1. The baby's diaper remains dry for more than 6 hours.
2. Urine looks darker and has a specific odor.
3. Dry lips and mouth of an infant.
4. Lethargy.
5. Lack of tears when crying.

Not everyone knows how to identify the symptoms of severe water loss? Dehydration in an infant of the 3rd degree manifests itself as follows:

1. Sunken eyes.
2. Coldness of arms and legs.
3. Marbled leather.
4. Dizziness and delirium.
5. Excessive fussiness or, conversely, drowsiness.

What to do if your child is dehydrated?

In children, dehydration occurs very quickly. Therefore, if any serious signs appear, you must immediately consult a doctor for help, since only a doctor can determine whether a child has dehydration or another disease. You may need to give fluids intravenously until the proper balance of water in your body is achieved.

Dehydration in children with diarrhea

Very often, the cause of dehydration in children can be diarrhea and vomiting. This occurs due to poisoning or various pathologies. Taking certain medications sometimes only worsens this problem. Loss of fluid and, accordingly, occurs very quickly. Therefore, you need to immediately identify the causes of these symptoms and take measures to eliminate them.

Since only a doctor can determine dehydration in a child with diarrhea, you must immediately seek his help. Severe dehydration due to diarrhea can lead to serious consequences, such as kidney failure.

There are standards that must be followed. A child under 6 months of age should drink about 1 liter of water per day. These are juices, tea, breast milk, as well as liquid that is present in fruits, berries or other foods. When a child has diarrhea and vomiting, his little body can quickly be left without it. After all, a lot of fluid comes out with feces. And if the child still has a high temperature, then this completely aggravates the situation. Doctors advise giving your child more to drink; he will definitely not get worse.

To prevent dehydration of the child’s body from occurring too quickly, it is necessary to give the baby 1-2 teaspoons of water every 10 minutes. This will replenish fluid loss without causing repeated vomiting. Breastfeeding women need to put the baby to the breast more often during this period.

How to prevent your child from becoming dehydrated?

It is important to ensure that your child drinks enough fluids, especially when he is sick. This will be a serious obstacle to loss, since it will not be possible to immediately determine dehydration. You need to give your baby more water. If he likes various juices, then it is necessary to dilute them with water. Under no circumstances should you offer your baby carbonated drinks; they have no benefit, and on top of that, they have a detrimental effect on the condition of the teeth.

When a child is sick, soft drinks will help relieve his condition. But you should avoid citrus fruits, orange and grapefruit juices, as these drinks can cause itching and burning in the baby’s mouth.

Features of dehydration in animals. Comparison of symptoms with the human disease

Cats are living beings, and malfunctions in their body can occur for various reasons. Dehydration of the body in animals can occur for the same reasons as in humans. They may get sick or overheat. How to determine dehydration in a cat, what are the symptoms of this condition? A classic sign of dehydration is loss. If you grab a cat by the withers and gently pull it, once it is lowered, it will quickly return to its original position. And when the cat’s body is dehydrated, the skin takes its original appearance for quite a long time. If the retracted area remains in the same position, then the animal has a severe degree of dehydration and must be urgently shown to a veterinarian. Other symptoms of dehydration in a cat:

1. Dry and sticky gums.
2. Lethargy, apathy.
3. Refusal of food.

Causes of dehydration in cats:

1. Diarrhea.
2. Vomit.
3. Increased body temperature.
4. Injury.
5. Overheat.
6. Various diseases.

Before determining dehydration in a cat, you need to contact a veterinarian. He will tell you exactly whether this is true or not, and prescribe the necessary treatment. In adult mammals, such as dogs, fluid makes up about 65% of total body weight. Animals deprived of water die in a very short time. A well-fed dog can withstand fasting with water for a long time, but without it it will not last even 10 days. A loss of 10% of fluid in animals causes severe pathological consequences, and a loss of water in the body above this figure entails death.

Before you can determine if your dog is dehydrated, it is important to understand how fluid gets into his body. Water enters the body of a dog or cat with drink and food, after which it is absorbed unchanged by the intestines. The need for fluid varies depending on the composition of the feed, the physiological state of the animal, weather conditions and habitat. For example, when feeding a dog or cat dry food, increased physical activity and hot weather, the need for water increases several times.

There are several degrees of dehydration in animals; at home it is quite difficult to determine the stage of dehydration on your own. You should constantly monitor your dog's condition. Signs of fluid loss:

1. Lethargy, bad mood.
2. Decreased or complete absence of appetite.
3. Vomiting or loose stools.
4. Fever, etc.

To avoid dehydration, everyone needs this, both people and animals. But not only this will help cope with the problem. Ventilate the premises more often, eat healthy food and clean water, wear clothes made from natural materials, etc.

Dehydration is a condition characterized by a lack of water in the body, leading to metabolic disorders. A person consists of 80% water: blood, lymph, intercellular fluid, cells. Various diseases lead to dehydration. It is important to identify signs of dehydration in time and take measures to improve the condition.

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.

Symptoms and 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Degrees and types

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 disrupted, the blood thickens, and in biochemical analysis, residual urea nitrogen is significantly increased.

Review of effective treatments

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:

1. Add a small amount of salt to a glass of water. You need to drink four glasses a day + don’t forget to eat light cereals (cereals, buckwheat).
2. A similar recipe - you need to add a little sugar to a glass of water.
3. 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.

Features of dehydration

Pathology can occur in different situations. The most common include food poisoning and diuretic use.

In case of poisoning

In case of poisoning, the body tries to remove toxins on its own through diarrhea and vomiting. Fluid loss + bacterial toxins and high body temperature contribute to even greater water loss. It is easy to identify food intoxication. When the first signs of poisoning appear, take active measures to combat dehydration. Replenish your supplies with clean, drinking water, do not bring your body to the last stage.

When taking diuretics

Diuretics, like other drugs, have many side effects. Chronic fluid loss is one of them. It is not difficult to understand that dehydration begins due to medications. The above symptoms appear. Diuretics remove water and electrolytes from the body. A lot of calcium is lost, which results in pain in the back and joints. Do not take diuretics uncontrollably; only your doctor will determine the correct indications for the prescription.

What drinks to drink if you are dehydrated

Doctors recommend saturating the body with fluids using dried fruit compotes and unsweetened tea. You can eat fermented milk products - kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt. They help restore disturbed intestinal microflora and tone other organs and systems. Lemon water has healing effects. A few drops in a glass of water help fight pathology.

Possible consequences and complications

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:

1. Development of hypovolemic shock.
2. Acute renal failure.
3. Acute liver failure.
4. 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.

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.

Causes

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.

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.

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

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 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).

How does dehydration manifest? The symptoms of this disease can be distinguished based on the severity of its manifestations.

Thus, the symptoms of dehydration are:

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

Fatigue for no apparent reason. Water is the main source of energy in the body. Food 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 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.

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- 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!

Home dehydration test

Complications of dehydration

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.

What are the dangers of dehydration?

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.

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

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:

Dehydration is not a disease, but a pathological condition that affects the functioning of the entire human body. There is a risk of this condition occurring at any age. Therefore, it is necessary to have an understanding of the symptoms of dehydration, the causes that cause it, and methods of treatment.

Degrees and forms of dehydration

Dehydration levels

These indicators are typical for any age, including infants.

At the same time, they stand out acute And chronic forms. In acute cases, rapid loss of body weight occurs, the transitions from the first to the last stage are almost imperceptible. An acute form of dehydration can be fatal if help is not provided. Chronic dehydration is usually mild to moderate. Getting rid of the symptoms is not difficult, but the general condition does not disappear due to external or internal factors.

Main symptoms of dehydration

Signs of dehydration

• Feeling of extreme thirst, dry mouth and throat.
• There is also general dryness of the mucous membranes, tongue (it may be sticky and swollen), and skin.
• , possibly fainting and loss of consciousness.
• , gradually becoming stronger.
• Weakness throughout the body, loss of strength, drowsiness.
• Distraction of attention, lack of coordination of movements.
• Loss of mood, apathy, depression, irritability, nervousness, panic attacks and increased anxiety, unreasonable fears.
• Thick, viscous saliva.
• Impaired urination (the frequency, volume of urine and its color change; in severe cases, urine may not leave the body at all).
• Lack of hunger, complete loss of appetite.
• Change in skin color: they become pale (marbled) or acquire a bluish tint.
• Peeling of the skin, cracks on it, loss of skin elasticity, formation of deep wrinkles. If there is a lack of moisture in the body, the folds of the skin do not smooth out immediately.
• and pain in muscles, and limbs, pain in joints, bones, internal organs.
• and, a drop in body temperature and blood pressure. The pulse becomes frequent, but poorly perceptible. (see also - )
• The voice may become hoarse and quiet.
• Feeling of lack of air, constant shortness of breath.
• Flushing of blood to the face against the background of a fast but heavy heartbeat.
• Problems with stool.

1. sunken eyes;
2. sticky film covering the skin;
3. dark circles under the eyes;
4. there is no awareness, a delusional state may appear, loss of coordination in space;
5. the lacrimal glands stop functioning;
6. breathing is slow, shallow.

1. persistent feeling of thirst;
2. frequent migraines;
3. heartburn and problems with digestion and gastrointestinal tract;
4. regular pain in the muscles of the arms and legs, joints, and back.

1. urinary retention for more than 7 hours;
2. the color of urine becomes very dark, the smell becomes sharp and strong;
3. retraction of the fontanel;
4. constant lethargy, moodiness;
5. in some cases, there may be outbreaks of causeless anxiety and crying without tears;
6. vomiting occurs from time to time, the stool becomes very liquid.

Causes of dehydration in adults and children

1. Insufficient consumption of clean water during the day.
2. Poisoning, prolonged diarrhea and severe vomiting.
3. Increased sweating.
4. Thermal or, overheating, .
5. Extended sports activities.
6. Excessive physical activity in the open sun, in the heat or in stuffy rooms. Overheating of the body.
7. Drinking large amounts of caffeinated drinks and alcohol.
8. Dependence on tobacco, drugs.
9. Taking a number of medications: antidepressants, diuretics, laxatives.
10. Eating disorders (bulimia,), starvation.
11. Infectious diseases, as well as diabetes.
12. Serious injuries and wounds with heavy loss of blood, as well as various prolonged bleeding, including internal organs.
13. Mental disorders.
14. Disturbance of metabolic processes in the body.
15. Problems in the functioning of the nervous system and brain.

Infants may develop dehydration due to insufficient fluid intake during the introduction of complementary foods. An additional reason for the development of dehydration in children is the imperfection of the heat exchange mechanism in the body.

Hypomolar dehydration– develops with injuries, wounds and pathology of the adrenal glands. In this case, there is a significant loss of electrolytes in the body.

Isoosmolar dehydration– occurs against the background of severe infectious diseases, other diseases of the body, and can also occur with serious blood loss.

Hyperosmolar dehydration– this type of dehydration is provoked by poisoning, severe vomiting, prolonged diarrhea, as well as taking diuretics and kidney pathologies. In this case, the loss of pure water by the body exceeds the “washing out” of potassium, sodium and other salts from it.

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.

Dehydration poses an immediate threat to health and life due to injuries, bleeding, intoxication and serious infectious diseases. If you suspect an acute or severe development of the condition, you should consult a doctor.

The “risk group” in this case includes:

1. residents of southern, including African, countries, mountain residents;
2. athletes, fans of ecological and mountain tourism;
3. children from birth to 10 years;
4. elderly people whose metabolic processes slow down and the stability of all body functions is disrupted due to age;
5. people of any age category who have chronic or acute forms of diseases of the kidneys and adrenal glands, endocrine system, liver;
6. people with mental disabilities, congenital or acquired, including various forms of depression;
7. active workers, in particular in open areas and in unfavorable climatic conditions.

What to do if you are dehydrated? Treatment of dehydration

For minor dehydration in a child or adult, it is often enough to drink a certain amount of clean, filtered water or mineral water containing salts. During the day, you should drink frequently, but in small sips; the total volume of water should reach two liters.

During this period of time, it is better to give up tea and coffee, but it is permissible to drink juices or fruit drinks (natural, diluted, non-concentrated), and unsweetened compotes. It is useful to eat light soups, broths, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

When the water-salt balance is disturbed, the following should be excluded:

1. cigarettes and alcohol;
2. carbonated drinks;
3. physical activity and exposure to the open sun;
4. drugs and teas that have a diuretic or laxative effect and “wash out” electrolytes from the body.

For adults, dehydration can be treated with drinks specifically designed for athletes. They help replenish both fluid loss and the amount of necessary minerals and salts.

• thoroughly ventilate the room, turn on fans or air conditioning;
• wiping the body with water at room temperature; Ice water and ice cannot be used, this will lead to a negative reaction;
• cool compresses on the head, wetting clothes made from natural fabrics with water.

You need to drink through a straw, in small sips. You can give the person ice cubes to suck on. The infant should be fed through a syringe with the needle removed.

Severe or critical dehydration can only be treated in hospitals. Often, the patient is given droppers with the necessary solutions (infusion therapy), which help replenish the loss of water and electrolytes in the body. If necessary, the body is rubbed down and the condition is corrected if dehydration is caused by intoxication, injury or illness.

Consequences of dehydration and prevention

This pathological condition can provoke:

• development of mental illnesses that cannot be corrected;
• nervous exhaustion;
• weakening of the heart muscles, as a result, there is a risk of heart attacks;
• there is a risk of stroke and thrombosis;
• Infants and children may develop hypoxia;
• there is a possibility of pathologies associated with the kidneys, bladder, adrenal glands, and gastrointestinal tract;
• decreased immunity is typical for both children and adults, which may result in long-term illnesses that progress to the chronic stage;
• regular and severe headaches and pain in internal organs;
• osteoporosis and other forms of bone and joint diseases;
• changes in muscle tone, disruption of heat exchange and other processes in the body;
• chronic fatigue syndrome, pressure changes, fainting, interruptions in concentration and mental activity.

1. control over your general physical condition;
2. sufficient consumption of not only clean water, but also important vitamins;
3. giving up alcohol and smoking;
4. to control body temperature, overheating should be avoided;
5. timely treatment of diseases and conditions that can provoke dehydration.

Video - doctor's advice on treating dehydration

Not everyone knows that the water content in a child’s body is 90%, an adult’s is 70-80%, and in old age it can decrease to 55%. This means that throughout our lives we all slowly but surely dry out. The body is not able to retain water for a long time.

He is forced to constantly demand it and receive it with food. But if for some reason the body loses water too quickly, or receives it in insufficient quantities, this can result in a rather big problem - dehydration.

What is dehydration in humans?

Dehydration (exicosis, dehydration) is not a disease, but a symptom indicating that metabolic processes in the body are disrupted due to a lack of water.

A loss of 10% of moisture is fraught with painful disorders for the body, and a lack of 25% of water can be fatal.

Attention! You can first determine how dehydrated your body is using a fairly simple test. Pinch the skin on the back of your hand between your thumb and index finger. If the water content is normal, then the skin fold will quickly disappear without a trace. When the amount of liquid is reduced, it will smooth out very slowly.

Reasons for development

This medical pathology is quite common in young children and the elderly due to lack of nutrition, or due to gastrointestinal diseases, which are accompanied by:

• vomiting;
• diuresis;
• increased sweating.

The amount of fluid entering the body should practically correspond to the amount that is removed from it. Therefore, any condition associated with the body losing water, but with insufficient replenishment can lead to dehydration.

Dehydration can also be a symptom of many diseases:

• pneumonia;
• diabetes mellitus;
• etc.

Therefore, signs of water shortage should be a reason for inspection.

Degrees and types

There are three types of dehydration based on the concentration of sodium ions in the intercellular serum:

• hyponatremic(hypertensive) – more than 145 mEq per liter;
• isotonic– 135-145 meq per liter;
• hypotonic– less than 135 meq per liter.

The degree of dehydration is determined by several clinical indicators:

Symptoms in adults and children

Symptoms of a lack of water in the body should, first of all, alert parents of small children.

A baby has up to four times the body surface area relative to its own weight and is therefore much more susceptible to dehydration.

Due to the fact that small children, due to their lack of independence, cannot satisfy their need for water, it is necessary to pay attention to the following signs:

• rapid breathing;
• rare and small urine output;
• cold extremities at normal body temperature;
• "marbling" of the skin.

It is necessary to pay special attention to children who often burp or have profuse loose stools. Such common painful conditions as gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea in children lead to much greater fluid loss than in adults.

First signs

It is not always possible to understand that the body is dehydrated, since in some cases there may be no thirst. You can understand that the body needs water by the following signs:

• sunken eyes;
• dry skin and mucous membranes;
• rapid pulse;
• fast fatiguability;
• dark color of urine;
• irritability.

Signs of chronic form

With a more acute and prolonged lack of water in the body, the following signs are observed:

• periodic seizures;
• numbness of the limbs;
• fast fatiguability;
• Sometimes .

All these signs differentiate from diseases that have similar symptoms.

Severe clinic

Severe dehydration is characterized by:

• hypotension (low blood pressure numbers);
• fainting;
• hallucinations;
• lack of tears and saliva;
• weakness of urination or presence (absence thereof).

Consequences

The consequences of dehydration can be quite serious due to the fact that the electrolyte balance in the intercellular fluid is disrupted.

In simple terms, the blood thickens, and this is fraught with such serious problems as:

In addition, with severe dehydration, a displacement of some brain structures relative to others can occur, which ultimately leads to death.

Treatment

When prescribing treatment, first of all, fluid loss is assessed, taking into account:

• the body's need for electrolytes and fluids;
• electrolyte deficiency due to existing illness;
• presence of ongoing diarrhea or vomiting.

• parenterally;
• enterally;
• intravenously.

Oral rehydration solutions may initially cause increased diarrhea, but the goal of treatment is to reduce dehydration, which will eventually lead to normal bowel movements.

A severe form of dehydration can only be treated in a hospital, under the supervision of doctors. For mild to moderate cases, treatment can be done at home.

Drugs

During treatment, medications containing sodium and potassium salts are prescribed. For children, tablet solutions are used:

• Pedialyte;
• Oralit.

Adults are prescribed the following solutions:

• sodium chloride (10%);
• potassium chloride (10%);
• glucose (20%).

DOXA (deoxycorticosterone acetate) and other drugs that have the function of adrenal hormones are also used.

Nutrition

In case of dehydration, a diet with a high content of table salt is prescribed, as it can retain water in the body.

1. Water – 4 glasses; salt - half a teaspoon; rice flakes – 1 cup.
2. Water – 4 glasses; salt - half a teaspoon; sugar – 6-7 teaspoons.

In order to restore water balance, drinking broths, fruit juices, and other drinks is not enough, since they do not contain the required amount of carbohydrates and sodium.

Prevention

To prevent a lack of water in yourself, you must, of course, drink at least 2 liters per day. Even more during physical activity or on a hot sunny day, when there is increased sweating.

Drinking alcohol contributes to the loss of water in the body, as well as drinking carbonated and sugary drinks.

By following these simple rules, you will avoid the risk of dehydration, and your body will remain saturated with moisture, youth and health for many years.

Video about dehydration: