Dehydration occurs when your body doesn't have enough water it needs. Without enough, our body cannot function properly. You can have mild, moderate, or severe dehydration depending on how much fluid is deficient in your body.
Causes
It is normal to lose water from your body every day by sweating, breathing, peeing, and pooping, and through tears and saliva (spit). Usually, you replace the lost liquid by drinking fluids and eating foods that has more water. If you lose too much water or don’t drink and eat enough, you can get dehydrated.
You can lose more water than usual with:
Fever
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Excessive sweating
Frequent urinating (especially for diabetic patients)
You may not replace the water you lose because:
You’re busy and forget to drink enough.
You don’t realize you’re thirsty.
You don’t feel like drinking because you have a sore throat or mouth ulcer
Symptoms
Signs of mild or moderate dehydration are:
Thirst
Dry or sticky mouth
Not urinating very much
Dark yellow urine
Dry, cool skin
Headache
Symptoms for babies and young children are different from adults
Dry mouth and lips
No tears when crying
Dry diapers for 3 hours
Sunken eyes, cheeks,
Soft spot on the top of the skull
Sleepiness
Lack of energy
Irritability
Treatment for dehydration
A person who is dehydrated needs to drink plenty of fluids such as water, squash or fruit juice and avoid alcoholic beverages and fizzy drinks. If illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea are making it difficult to hold water down, some amount of fluids should be taken.
It is recommended the use of oral rehydration solutions, which are especially designed for children with diarrhea and dehydration. The solution contains a mixture of potassium, salts and sugars to restore the correct balance of body fluids. Proper treatment of dehydration is very important, as severe dehydration can cause life-threatening complications to an extent of even death. The treatment for dehydration is to restore the fluids and electrolytes that you have lost. For serene cases, you may just need to drink lots of water. If electrolytes are declining, sports drinks may help. There are also oral rehydration solutions for kids. We can also get those without a prescription. When you lose electrolytes, you need to put back them. There are many products for doing this. Most people get these through their regular food by eating meats, vegetables and fruits. But there are also sports drinks, gels, candies and gummies you can have. There is even a tablet that you can dissolve in water and drink. If you are planning for outdoor activities, try to plan them for the cooler parts of the day. Make sure that you are dressed in cotton, cool clothing when the weather is warm.
Prevention for Babies and Young Children
They lose fluids and electrolytes just like adults do, so make sure your child has access to plenty of water and other fluids, especially if they are very physically active or if it is a warm day. And make sure your child eats plenty of fruits and veggies -- that contain lots of water. Drink fluids when you feel any dehydration symptoms. You may have small sips of fluids whichever you like and stay hydrated.
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