To survive, humans need to drink water. Many of our body’s functions would shut down without drinking water, such as temperature regulation and bowel movements. In fact, over 50% of the human body consists of water.
No matter what temperature outside is, you can become dehydrated, if you don’t drink enough water. Dehydration is more than just being thirsty and if it’s not treated properly it can lead to serious complications.
When your body does not have the correct amount of fluids (mostly water) which needs to function, then you become dehydrated. Dehydration is when you’re losing or using more fluids than you are taking in.
In many ways human body loses fluids, such as defecation, urination, breathing and sweating as well as through saliva and tears. You become dehydrated when you are not actively and adequately replacing the lost fluids.
Anyone can become dehydrate, however, those at a higher risk are older people, children and infants. Infants cannot and children often do not communicate when they are thirsty, making them more prone to dehydration. The same applies for older people, mostly for those who have cognitive issues.
Dehydration can get worse by pre-existing conditions that lead to fluid loss, such as diabetes, causing frequent urination.
In adults, dehydration symptoms are, extreme thirst, dark coloured urine, constipation, dizziness, red (flushed) skin, loss of appetite, muscle cramps and headache.
In infants and children, the dehydration symptoms could be dry tongue, mouth and lips, no tears when crying, dry skin, sunken eyes, and cheeks.
Dr. Donalds Kirby director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition says that, dehydration should not be taken lightly because when you are severely dehydrated, you are losing salts, vitamins, electrolytes and key fluids which helps you to function. If it’s not treated at the correct time, it will lead to brain damage, kidney damage or death.
To prevent dehydration, it is important to stay hydrated during the day, especially if you are outside for a long period.
To treat dehydration, you must rehydrate. Kirby says, when you pass urine, it’s not just water that’s coming out.
When you become dehydrated, electrolytes, sodium and potassium are also lost. These are vital to certain body functions and help regulate the amount of fluid in our bodies. If someone’s dehydration symptoms are worsening such as weakness or inability to move and immediately medical attention is needed.
Furthermore, dehydration can be related to other conditions, including heatstroke. If anyone is showing different symptoms beside the above-mentioned, such as heart rate or body temperature, then it’s another sign to call 911, says Kirby.
