The human body consists mainly of liquid, therefore it is very important for the normal functioning of all vital systems to maintain its quantity at the proper level.
What is dehydration?
Dehydration is a decrease in fluid in the human body below the physiological norm. As a result of the loss of water, a person suffers from its lack, in connection with which the water-salt balance is disturbed. This is a balance between the aquatic environment and minerals, which leads to a thickening of the blood and an increase in the concentration of cellular elements. How to determine dehydration, what are its symptoms and how to avoid it - the answers to these questions will be discussed below.
Dehydration Degrees
There are several degrees of dehydration, these are:
- Light form. When about 6% of the total amount of fluid in the body is lost, it is about 1-2 liters.
- Average dehydration. This is a decrease in liquid from 6 to 10%, that is, its loss from 2 to 4 liters
- Severe dehydration. In this case, more than 4 liters of fluid is lost, that is, more than 10%.
- Acute dehydration. Loss of more than 10 liters of fluid is dangerous to human life. This condition can lead to coma or death. Since only a specialist can determine the dehydration of the human body, that is, the degree of dehydration, it is urgent to consult a doctor for advice and treatment.
Depending on the salt balance, several types of dehydration are distinguished:
- Isotonic when the salt composition of the blood is normal.
- Hypertensive when the concentration of salt in the blood is increased.
- Hypotonic when the amount of salt is lowered.
How does fluid loss affect the human body from the inside out?
Before determining the dehydration in a child or an adult, it is necessary to understand how this works inside the body. Liquid is found not only in all cells of the human body, but also beyond them. In the environment there are mineral salts: sodium and potassium (electrolytes), which are necessary for carrying out important body processes. When water is removed from cells and tissues, then, accordingly, the number of electrolytes decreases, the cells literally “dry out”. All this leads to the failure of all working systems of the body and subsequently to serious diseases.
When does dehydration occur?
If a lack of water in the body leads to serious human diseases, then, in turn, saturation with fluid is a great way to maintain health. How to determine dehydration, what signs of this negative process exist?
- With profuse vomiting and diarrhea.
- With intestinal obstruction.
- With peritonitis.
- With large burns.
- With pancreatitis.
- With profuse sweating.
- With increased urination.
- At high temperature, etc.
Dehydration or loss of body fluid can occur during extreme heat, when a person sweats heavily, with physical exertion or hard work, with alcohol abuse, with some diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, etc.
How to understand if the body gets enough fluid?
Dehydration can occur with atypical symptoms, such as chronic fatigue and a constant feeling of hunger. These symptoms are associated with a large accumulation of harmful substances in the body , for the removal of which requires fluid, which the body lacks. Also atypical signs include slagging. Due to the lack of fluid in the cells, sodium is retained, which contributes to clogging. A large number of toxins causes headaches, fetid sweat, constipation. An unhealthy complexion appears.
What symptoms will help to understand whether the body needs fluid, how to determine it? Dehydration suggests the following symptoms:
- Dry mouth and constant thirst. The amount of water drunk by a person should correspond to his load. Sometimes thirst quenches very quickly, but it happens that you have to drink a larger amount of liquid so that dryness disappears.
- Weakness, constant yawning. This symptom is felt when the human body lacks the substances necessary for the normal functioning. Water is also part of the necessary components. To feel good, a person must eat well, that is, drink and eat in moderation.
- Loss of appetite. During dehydration, you do not feel hungry. But the causes of loss of appetite can also be affected by some diseases - stress, etc.
- An increase in body temperature, which must be reduced in various ways.
In addition to the above symptoms, dizziness, tachycardia, or chills can occur with dehydration. It can also lead to serious troubles such as shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, fever. With severe loss of water by the body, nausea and vomiting, convulsions and tingling in the hands and feet can begin . With these symptoms, you must call a doctor. To restore the body, the doctor is most likely to use intravenous droppers with saline. This treatment should be carried out in the walls of the hospital, such patients are not left at home.
Dehydration in infants
Children are more prone to dehydration than adults. How to determine dehydration in infants? The main signs and symptoms:
- The baby's diaper stays dry for more than 6 hours.
- The urine looks darker and has a specific smell.
- Dry lips and mouth of the infant.
- Lethargy.
- No tears when crying.
Not everyone knows the symptoms of severe water loss how to determine? Dehydration in an infant of the 3rd degree is manifested as follows:
- Sunken eyes.
- The coldness of the arms and legs.
- Marble leather.
- Dizziness and light-headedness.
- Excessive fussiness or, conversely, drowsiness.
What to do if the child is dehydrated?
In babies, dehydration occurs very quickly. Therefore, if any serious signs appear, it is urgent to consult a doctor for help, since only a doctor can determine if a child is dehydrated or is another disease. You may need to inject the fluid intravenously until the desired balance of water in the body is achieved.
Dehydration in children with diarrhea
Very often, diarrhea and vomiting can become the cause of dehydration in children. This occurs with poisoning or various pathologies. Taking certain medications sometimes only exacerbates this problem. Loss of fluid and, consequently, the weight of the child occurs very quickly. Therefore, you need to immediately identify the causes of these symptoms and take measures to eliminate them.
Since only a doctor can determine dehydration in a child with diarrhea, you should immediately contact him for help. Severe dehydration with diarrhea can lead to serious consequences, for example, renal failure.
There are rules to be followed. A child under the age of 6 months should consume about 1 liter of water per day. These are juices, tea, breast milk, as well as the liquid that is present in fruits, berries or other foods. When a child has diarrhea and vomiting, his small body can quickly remain without it. After all, a lot of fluid comes out with feces. And if the child has a fever, then this even exacerbates the situation. Doctors advise giving the child more to drink, he certainly will not get worse.
To prevent dehydration of the child’s body too quickly, it is necessary to give the baby 1-2 teaspoons of water every 10 minutes. This will make up for fluid loss without provoking repeated vomiting. Lactating women need to often apply the baby to the breast during this period.
How to prevent dehydration of the child?
You must make sure that the child is drinking plenty of fluids, especially when he is sick. This will be a serious obstacle to loss, since it will not be possible to immediately determine the dehydration of the body. It is necessary to give the baby more water. If he likes various juices, then it is necessary to dilute them with water. In no case do not offer your child soda drinks, there is no benefit from them, and plus everything else they adversely affect the condition of the teeth.
When a child is sick, soft drinks will help alleviate his condition. But you should avoid citrus, orange and grapefruit juices, as these drinks can cause itching and burning of the baby's mouth.
Features of dehydration in animals. Comparison of signs with a human disease
Cats are living things, and malfunctioning of the body can occur in them for various reasons. Dehydration in animals can occur for the same reasons as in humans. They may become sick or overheat. How to identify dehydration in a cat, what are the symptoms of this condition? A classic sign of dehydration is loss of skin firmness. If you take the cat by the withers and carefully pull it, then after lowering it, it will quickly take its original position. And with dehydration of the cat's body, the skin takes its original form for quite a long time. If the drawn section remains in the same position, then the animal has a severe degree of dehydration, it must be urgently shown to the veterinarian. Other symptoms of dehydration in a cat:
- Dry and sticky gums.
- Lethargy, apathy.
- Refusal of food.
Causes of dehydration in cats:
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting
- Elevated body temperature.
- Injury.
- Overheat.
- Various diseases.
Before determining the dehydration in a cat or cat, you need to consult a veterinarian. He will say for sure whether it is or not, and prescribe the necessary treatment. In adult mammals, such as dogs, fluid accounts for about 65% of total body weight. Animals deprived of water die in a very short time. A well-fed dog can withstand water fasting for a long time, but without it it cannot last 10 days. The loss of 10% fluid in animals causes severe pathological consequences, and the loss of water in the body above this figure leads to death.
Before determining a dog’s dehydration, it is important to understand how fluid enters the body. Water enters the body of a dog or cat with drink and food, after which it is absorbed by the intestines unchanged. The need for fluid varies depending on the composition of the feed, the physiological state of the animal, weather conditions and habitat. For example, when feeding a dog or cat with dry food, increased physical exertion and hot weather, the need for water increases several times.
In animals, there are several degrees of dehydration; at home, it is quite difficult to determine the stage of dehydration on your own. You should monitor the condition of the dog constantly. Signs of fluid loss:
- Lethargy, bad mood.
- Decreased or complete lack of appetite.
- Vomiting or loose stools.
- Elevated temperature, etc.
To avoid dehydration, everyone needs plenty of water , this applies to both people and animals. But not only this will help to cope with the problem. Ventilate the premises more often, eat wholesome food and clean water, wear clothing made from natural materials, etc.