The fastest way to cure dehydration is to take an oral rehydration solution and treat the underlying cause of fluid loss
The fastest way to cure dehydration is to take an oral rehydration solution and treat the underlying cause of fluid loss.
With mild or moderate dehydration, drinking plenty of fluids should be enough to replenish your fluids. While water is the best choice, you can also drink electrolyte solutions, fruit juice, or clear broths. Make sure to take small sips at a time and to dilute juices with water to avoid stomach irritation. Coffee, tea, soda, and alcoholic beverages should be avoided because they are diuretics, which remove water from the body.
If a child is dehydrated, especially due to diarrhea or vomiting, treatment with an oral rehydration solution (ORS) is ideal, as these can help restore electrolyte and salt balance. They should be given little sips or a teaspoon of fluids at a time at regular intervals, and they need to be monitored closely to see if more fluids need to be given.
What causes dehydration?
The most common cause of dehydration is insufficient water or liquid intake, loss of fluids, and sometimes both.
Your body loses water on a regular basis from sweating, breathing, urinating, and defecating, as well as through tears and saliva. Dehydration occurs if you don't drink enough to replenish these fluids, which in turn can cause an imbalance in salts, ions, etc. in the body that hinders it from functioning properly.
Anyone could be dehydrated if they are not drinking enough water and other liquids, but young children and the elderly are more susceptible. Dehydration is common in older individuals due to the smaller volume of water in their bodies and diseases or medications that could increase the risk of dehydration.
Causes of dehydration include:
- Prolonged sickness or fever
- Loose bowels or diarrhea
- Severe vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Frequent urination
- Burns
- Hot or humid weather
- Certain drugs such as diuretics
Mild, moderate, and severe dehydration
- Mild: Mild dehydration can cause 5-6 grams of weight loss due to fluid loss and the person may experience fatigue, tiredness, or muscle cramps. There is also a slight imbalance in electrolytes.
- Moderate: Moderate dehydration can cause 7%-10% weight loss due to fluid loss. The person may experience symptoms such as low blood pressure, reduced urination, faster heartbeat, and dry skin.
- Severe: Severe dehydration can cause over 10% weight loss. Symptoms may include fainting, seizures, and muscle spasms. This stage is potentially fatal, especially if arrhythmia occurs.
What are the signs of dehydration?
You can identify signs of dehydration by the following:
- Dark urine
- Feeling faint, dizzy, or weak
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Fever or chills
- Flushed cheeks and swelling in the feet
- Fast heart rate but low blood pressure
- Headache, confusion, or hallucinations
- Sudden dry mouth or throat
- Sugar cravings
- Fatigue
Dehydration has serious consequences, especially to brain function. It can cause mood changes, memory problems, and sensory problems due to lack of fluid supply to the brain. Therefore, treating dehydration as soon as possible is crucial.
How to treat dehydration at home
If you notice signs or symptoms of dehydration, take steps at home to treat the condition before it gets worse:
- Take small sips of water.
- Drink electrolyte-rich beverages. You can make a homemade solution by adding ½ teaspoon salt and 5-6 teaspoons of sugar to 4 glasses of water.
- Drink barley water, which can help with heat strokes and restore electrolyte balance in the body.
- Drink rice water, which is rich in salts and vitamin B, which rejuvenates the body and provides energy.
- Drink beverages high in water content, such as coconut water. Many of these beverages also contain salts and minerals that can replenish lost electrolytes due to diarrhea or vomiting.
- Eat a banana. Bananas contain about 70%water and vital minerals such as potassium that help replenish the body.
If you tend not to drink enough water throughout the day, set an alarm or reminder for yourself so that you can prevent dehydration before it starts.
How is severe dehydration treated?
Severe dehydration requires immediate medical help in a hospital with oral or intravenous (IV) fluids.
In the emergency room, doctors may first administer medications such as Imodium or Zofran to bring diarrhea or vomiting under control. Following this, they may treat underlying conditions such as hyperglycemia. If there is kidney damage, doctors will perform dialysis and will provide further treatment for the kidney disorder.
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References
Image Source: iStock Images
https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dehydration
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555956/
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