What are the Symptoms of Dehydration?

Dehydration takes place when an individual loses more fluid than they intake, and the body doesn't contain enough water and other fluids to continue with its normal functions. When the lost fluid isn't replaced, the person gets dehydrated. The issue could occur with anyone, but the state is mostly dangerous for young kids and older adults. For children, the common causes of dehydration are massive diarrhoea and vomiting. Moreover, the phenomenon is common in any age group if the water intake isn't sufficient. Here in this article, we will talk more about the dehydration symptoms and the potential causes behind them.

What are the causes of dehydration?

In some cases, the cause of dehydration would be simple, like limited fluid intake due to sickness or being busy, or not having access to safe water due to traveling. Other than this, the other causes of diarrhoea include:
•    Diarrhea, Vomiting: Prolonged and acute diarrhoea that steps in violently and abruptly can cause a considerable loss of water and electrolytes in a short time span. In the event that vomiting joins diarrhea, the individual loses more fluids and minerals.
•    Fever: The higher the fever, the more dehydrated the individual becomes. The complications might get worse if diarrhoea and vomiting accompany the fever.
•    Tremendous Sweating: Losing water while sweating is common. If one is continuously involved in physical activities and doesn't replace the fluids on the go, the chances of getting dehydrated are high. Hot, humid weather enhances the amount one sweats and the amount of fluid one loses.
•    Frequent Urination: This symptom could be due to uncontrolled diabetes. Some medications or some blood pressure medications might also invite dehydration because it causes them to urinate more.

Symptoms of dehydration

Being thirsty isn’t always a particular indicator that the body needs water. Many people, especially older adults, don’t get thirsty until they are already dehydrated. Hence, proper fluid intake is a must in all situations, whether it is illness or hot weather. Dehydration symptoms and signs might also vary with age. Let’s take a look at them.

Dehydration Symptoms in Kids and Young Children:

Dehydration symptoms in young children or infants may include:
•    Dry mouth and tongue.
•    Tearless crying
•    Dry diapers for three hours or more.
•    Sunken eyes or cheeks
•    Irritability
•    A sunken soft spot on the skull top

Dehydration Symptoms in Adults:

In adults, the dehydration signs and symptoms might include:
•    Intense Thirst
•    Dark-colored urine
•    Constant confusion
•    Dizziness
•    Fatigue

When Should You See a Doctor?

The right moment to see a doctor is when the individual:
•    has been suffering from diarrhoea for the last 24 hours.
•    feeling irritable, disoriented, and sleepier than usual, as well as being inactive
•    Stool that is bloody or black

Risk Factors Associated with Dehydration:

Infants and Children: The most common group to go through severe diarrhoea and vomiting is children. Due to high fevers or burns, they are also vulnerable to losing a greater proportion of fluids. Thus, infants and kids are most vulnerable to dehydration. The major problem is that young children are not able to communicate that they are thirsty, nor are they able to get it on their own.

Older Adults: With aging, a person's body fluid reserve shrinks, the ability to conserve water is lessened, and the thirst sense also diminishes. Thus, older people generally have lower water content in their bodies and might have stages or take medications that increase the dehydration risk. This indicates that even mere illnesses, like lung-affecting infections, can lead to dehydration in older people.

People with chronic illnesses: untreated or uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, and certain medications put an individual at a high risk of dehydration. Even having a sore throat or catching a cold makes an individual highly prone to dehydration because they are reluctant to drink water during that phase.

People working or exercising outside: During hot and humid weather, there are higher risks of dehydration and heat illnesses. During hot weather, the body produces more sweat to cool it down, and thus, the fluid intake requirement also increases.

How to prevent dehydration

An individual could prevent dehydration by taking some steps, such as drinking plenty of water and eating foods with high water content. Some specific methods to prevent dehydration are:
•    ORS : In the case of a child or an individual experiencing severe vomiting and diarrhoea, it's time to start giving extra water or oral rehydration solution. The ORS intake could be initiated as soon as the above symptoms appear instead of waiting for doctor's consultation.
•    Drinking Water During Illness: It is common for most older adults to get dehydrated during simple illnesses like influenza or bladder infections. Hence, enough fluid intake should be ensured to prevent dehydration.
•    Adequate water intake during hot weather: Adequate water intake during hot summer days is critical to assist the individual in lowering their body temperature and replacing what they have excreted as sweat. Even so, water intake is critical in the winter to combat moisture loss due to dry sir, especially at higher altitudes.

Wrapping Up

Dehydration might often be the cause of some serious complications that might include heat injury, urinary problems associated with kidney complications, seizures, and low blood volume shock. Hence, it's crucial to keep a check on the regular fluid intake, any exception to which might invite adverse consequences.

This was all about dehydration: its potential causes, the signs and symptoms, and how we could prevent the same with some precautionary steps.

Note: The article is meant for general awareness of the readers. The information can’t be used as a substitute to a medical prescription or diagnosis by a medical professional. In case you experience above or related symptoms, kindly consult a registered medical professional.

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