Dehydration occurs when your body does not have enough water and fluids it needs. Loss of fluid and not drinking enough water or fluids may cause dehydration. Vomiting and diarrhea are common causes of dehydration. Infants and children suffer from dehydration more than adults because of their smaller body.
Causes of dehydration, water loss in the body
Below are various dehydration causes.
- Loss of water from the body due to vomiting or diarrhea
- Excessive urine output
- Excessive sweating
- Fever
- When you do not drink enough fluids because of nausea, loss of appetite due to illness and sore throat or mouth sores
Symptoms of dehydration:
In case of mild dehydration the symptoms are:
Dryness of mouth, lips or tongue; extreme thirst; dry arm skin; lack of urine or only able to produce a small amount of dark yellow urine; flushed face; dizziness; headache; weakness; arm or leg cramps; crying with few or no tears; sleepy or irritable.
In case of moderate dehydration the symptoms are:
Fainting; weak pulse; rapid and deep breath; severe arm, leg, stomach or back muscle cramps; convulsions; heart failure; low blood pressure; sunken eyes.
In case of severe dehydration the symptoms are:
Rapid weak pulse; cold hands and feet; rapid breathing; blue lips; confusion and lethargy.
When you find any of the above symptoms of severe dehydration you should consult the doctor immediately.
Prevention of dehydration:
You should follow the tips given below to prevent dehydration:
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of fluids. During summer you should drink more fluids as your body needs are more.
- Drink extra water before, during and after exercise.
- Try to drink at least every 15 to 20 minutes when you are doing exercise.
- Consume some amount of sports drink if you want to exercise for longer than 1 hour.
- Do not drink coffee, colas, or other drinks that contain caffeine. They increase urine output and make you dehydrate faster.
- Avoid high-protein diets. If you are on a high-protein diet, make sure that you drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water each day.
- Drinking too much alcohol may also increase urine output and make you feel dehydrated.
- Reduce the salt intake as much as you can. Most people get plenty of salt in their diets; rather consume mineral added sports drinks.
- Avoid working outdoors or exercising, if you feel dizzy, lightheaded or very tired.
- Try to wear light weighted, light colored or one layered clothes. Change into dry clothing as soon as you can if your clothes get soaked with sweat.
- Never exercise in a rubber suit.
Home and herbal remedies preventing dehydration:
- Consume pickle juice beforehand to prevent dehydration.
- Drink a cup of water with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3 teaspoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons limejuice.
- Avoid Fruit juices, apricots, peas, pears, peaches, plums, prunes, etc.
- Chew a few pieces of the inner lining of pomegranate with salt, and/or drink pomegranate juice.
- Hot weather is another common cause of dehydration in the elderly. Always use an air conditioner or fans in hot weather.
When to consult a doctor?
You need to consult a doctor whenever you face any of the following symptoms of acute dehydration - your lips are turning blue day by day, you are breathing rapidly, you are feeling lethargic, or you are having cold hands and feet.
