Dehydration
Read more about...
- Dehydration treatment
- Diet for dehydration
- Nutrition and supplements for dehydration control
- Dehydration herbal treatment
Water accounts for approximately two-thirds of the average adult's body weight. It is more important to life than any other substance we know of. Water is involved in virtually every bodily function - the transport and utilization of other nutrients, the removal of toxins, and the maintenance of blood pressure and body temperature, among others. A person is said to be dehydrated if his or her body does not have as much water as it needs to function properly.
Dehydration can have a variety of causes. The most common include vomiting, diarrhea, and profuse sweating, which cause the body to lose fluids rapidly. Dehydration can also result from kidney failure, overuse of diuretics, diabetes, and disease of adrenal glands. In most cases, the loss of water is not the only problem. Sodium, potassium, and other minerals are usually lost along with the water, resulting in electrolyte imbalances also.
The first symptom of dehydration is usually significant thirst and dry month. The urine may be dark or scanty. More severe dehydration can cause overall weakness, lethargy, and an increased heart rate, sometimes over 100 beats per minute. If not corrected, it can progress to signs of disorientation and even loss of consciousness.
It is also possible to suffer from chronic, low-level dehydration, in which you are not dehydrated enough to have the classic symptoms, but your body is still kept from functioning as well as it should. This problem most often results from the simple failure to consume enough water, and is most common in older adults. Chronic dehydration can lead to chronic constipation, weight gain, elevated cholesterol levels, a decreased threshold of pain, and a decreased ability to clear toxins from the body.
A quick way to asses your state of hydration is to look for a sign called "tenting". To do this, pinch the skin on the back of your hand. If the skin remains standing in the shape of a tent for several seconds before returning to its flattened state, this is a sign of dehydration.
General recommendations for dehydration
Prolonged diarrhea and vomiting ca cause serious dehydration, as can profuse sweating as a result of physical exertion and/or spending time in a hot climate. If you suspect you are becoming dehydrated, with signs such as excessive thirst, dry mouth, decreased urination, weakness, or feelings of lethargy or lightheadedness, you can take an oral electrolyte formula such as Gatorade. Or you can make the following mixtures:
- First glass: ounces of orange or apple juice, ½ teaspoon honey or corn syrup, and a pinch of salt.
- Second glass: 8 ounces of water and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda.
Preventive measures for dehydration
The key to preventing dehydration is water, water, and more water. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. Thirst is not a sensitive indicator of your fluid needs or hydration status. Drink before you are thirsty. Drink when you are thirsty. Drink when you are not thirsty. And drink in between. Increase your water intake even more if you are ill or if you are exercising or spending time in warm temperatures.
| Body Weight | Activity Level | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LIGHT | MODERATE | STRENUOUS | |
| 100 lbs. | 10 cups | 11 cups | 12 cups |
| 125 lbs. | 10 ½ cups | 11 ½ cups | 12 ½ cups |
| 150 lbs. | 11 cups | 12 cups | 13 cups |
| 175 lbs. | 11 1/2 cups | 12 1/2 cups | 13 ½ cups |
| 200 lbs. | 12 cups | 13 cups | 14 cups |
- Treatment for dehydration: This section provides information about dehydration treatment.
- Dehydration diet: It gives information and guidelines to choose your sample diet to eliminate your dehydration.
- Dehydration nutritions and supplements: This section provides comprehensive list of nutritional supplements for dehydration.
- Herbal treatment for dehydration: This section focuses on various traditional herbal treatments used to cure dehydration.