Alcohol Abuse Advice

Causes of Dehydration and Treatment of Dehydration

 

Dehydration (hypohydration) is the removal of water (hydro in ancient Greek) from an object. In Physiologic terms, it entails a relative deficiency of water molecules in relation to other dissolved solutes. Dehydration, thus, is slightly different from hypovolemia, which defines water deficiency only in terms of overall volume rather than in terms of solute concentrations.

What causes dehydration?

Excessive loss of fluid through the intestinal tract can happen when the intestine is “inflamed” or damaged, or when bacteria or viruses cause the lining of the intestine to produce more fluid than can be absorbed.

Dieting can sap a person’s water reserves as well. Beware of diets or supplements, including laxatives and diuretics that emphasize shedding “water weight” as a quick way to lose weight. Losing water weight is not the same thing as losing actual fat.

Dehydration often results from an illness, such as gastroenteritis, where you have persistent diarrhoea and vomiting. You can also become dehydrated after sweating excessively from a fever, heavy work in hot conditions or heatstroke.

Symptoms Of Dehydration

Mild to moderate dehydration is likely to cause:

Dry, sticky mouth

Sleepiness or tiredness — children are likely to be less active than usual

Thirst

Decreased urine output — fewer than six wet diapers a day for infants and eight hours or more without urination for older children and teens

Treatment Of Dehydration

Drinking fluids is usually sufficient for mild dehydration. It is better to have frequent, small amounts of fluid (using a teaspoon or syringe for an infant or child) rather than trying to force large amounts of fluid at one time. Drinking too much fluid at once can bring on more vomiting.

Prevention is better than cure. Adults should drink at least 6 glasses of fluids daily. Fluid intake should be increased on hot days. Exercise, fever, and hot weather increase the body’s need for water. For mild dehydration, drinking plenty of water may be all that is needed. If electrolytes (especially sodium and potassium) are also lost, they must be replaced. Flavored sports drinks have been formulated to replace electrolytes lost during vigorous exercise.

Electrolyte solutions or freezer pops are especially effective. These are available at pharmacies. Sport drinks contain a lot of sugar and can cause or worsen diarrhea. In infants and children, avoid using water as the primary replacement fluid.

When to Seek Medical Care

Infants and small children can become dehydrated quickly.

Contact your doctor if your child has any of the following:

Dry mouth

Crying without tears

No urine output in four to six hours

If you take diuretics and develop diarrhea, you may need to stop taking the diuretic during the acute episode. Do not stop taking any medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Use an oral rehydration solution. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, use an oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte for infants and children who have diarrhea, vomiting or fever. These solutions contain water and salts in specific proportions to replenish both fluids and electrolytes. They also contain glucose or another carbohydrate such as rice powder to enhance absorption in the intestinal tract.