What to do when someone is dehydrated. Effective Dehydration Treatment: Oral Rehydration Therapy and Fluid Replacement Guide

21.01.202127.07.2023 by alexxlab

What are the signs of dehydration. How can you treat mild dehydration at home. When should you seek medical attention for dehydration. What is the best way to rehydrate a child or infant. How do doctors diagnose and treat severe dehydration.

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Understanding Dehydration: Causes and Symptoms

Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than it takes in, disrupting normal bodily functions. Various factors can lead to this condition:

Excessive sweating
Vomiting or diarrhea
Certain medications that increase urination

These situations can result in a significant loss of water and electrolytes, essential minerals in your blood and body fluids. Without adequate levels, your body struggles to perform its regular functions.

Common Symptoms of Dehydration

Recognizing the signs of dehydration is crucial for timely treatment. Some common symptoms include:

Thirst
Dark yellow urine
Dry mouth
Fatigue
Dizziness
Decreased urine output

Treating Mild Dehydration: Fluid and Electrolyte Replacement

The primary treatment for dehydration involves replacing lost fluids and electrolytes. For mild cases, simply increasing fluid intake is often sufficient. While water is the best choice, there are specialized rehydration drinks available that help replenish both water and electrolytes.

Natural Rehydration Methods

If commercial rehydration solutions are unavailable, you can use natural alternatives:

Sips of water
Diluted fruit juice
Crushed fruit mixed with water
Salty soups or broths

Can fruit juices help with dehydration? While fruit juices can provide hydration, they may upset your stomach, especially when you’re dehydrated. It’s best to dilute them with water before consumption.

Beverages to Avoid

Some drinks can actually worsen dehydration due to their diuretic effects. Avoid the following:

Coffee
Tea
Soda
Alcoholic beverages

Severe Dehydration: When to Seek Medical Attention

In cases of severe dehydration, professional medical treatment may be necessary. Intravenous (IV) fluid administration might be required to quickly replenish lost fluids and electrolytes.

What are the warning signs that indicate the need for immediate medical attention? Look out for the following symptoms:

No urination for 8 hours or more
Seizures
Disorientation or confusion
Weak or rapid pulse
Extreme fatigue
Dizziness upon standing
Inability to keep fluids down due to nausea or vomiting

Rehydrating Children and Infants: Special Considerations

Children and infants are particularly susceptible to dehydration, often due to fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Oral rehydration solutions are the most effective treatment in these cases.

Recommended Rehydration Methods for Children

How can you effectively rehydrate a child? Consider the following approaches:

Use over-the-counter oral rehydration solutions like Hydralyte or Pedialyte
Start with small sips or teaspoon-sized amounts
Use a syringe if the child has difficulty drinking
For older children, diluted sports drinks can be beneficial

For infants, continue breastfeeding or formula feeding. Avoid fruit juices if the baby is vomiting or has diarrhea, as they can exacerbate these conditions.

Warning Signs in Dehydrated Children

Dehydration can be particularly dangerous for babies and young children. Seek immediate medical attention if you observe these signs:

Extreme sleepiness
Decreased responsiveness
Infrequent wet diapers
Cold and blotchy hands and feet
Absence of tears when crying
Very dark urine
Extremely dry mouth

Diagnosing Dehydration: Medical Procedures and Tests

While mild dehydration can often be diagnosed based on physical signs and symptoms, medical professionals may use various methods to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity.

Physical Examination

During a physical examination, doctors look for signs such as:

Low blood pressure, especially when moving from lying to standing
Rapid heart rate
Reduced blood flow to extremities

Diagnostic Tests

To further assess dehydration, doctors may order the following tests:

Blood tests: These check electrolyte levels (particularly sodium and potassium) and kidney function.
Urinalysis: This can indicate the degree of dehydration and check for bladder infections.

Preventing Dehydration: Strategies for Maintaining Fluid Balance

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to dehydration. How can you maintain proper hydration? Consider these strategies:

Drink fluids regularly, not just when you feel thirsty
Increase fluid intake during hot weather or when exercising
Consume water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables
Monitor your urine color – pale yellow indicates good hydration

Are there specific recommendations for athletes or those working in hot environments? Yes, these individuals should pay extra attention to their hydration status:

Drink water before, during, and after physical activity
Consider sports drinks for prolonged, intense exercise
Take regular breaks in cool areas when working in hot conditions

Dehydration in Special Populations: Elderly and Chronically Ill

Certain groups are at higher risk of dehydration and may require special attention. These include the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.

Dehydration Risks in the Elderly

Why are older adults more susceptible to dehydration? Several factors contribute:

Reduced sense of thirst
Decreased kidney function
Medications that increase fluid loss
Mobility issues that make accessing drinks difficult

Caregivers should ensure regular fluid intake for elderly individuals, even when they don’t feel thirsty.

Managing Hydration with Chronic Illnesses

People with certain chronic conditions may need to monitor their fluid intake more closely. These conditions include:

Diabetes
Kidney disease
Heart failure
Cystic fibrosis

In these cases, it’s crucial to follow medical advice regarding fluid intake, as both dehydration and overhydration can pose risks.

Advanced Treatments for Severe Dehydration

While most cases of dehydration can be treated at home or with oral rehydration, severe cases may require more intensive interventions.

Intravenous Fluid Therapy

How does IV fluid therapy work? This treatment involves administering fluids directly into the bloodstream through a vein. It allows for rapid rehydration and electrolyte replacement, especially when oral intake is not possible or sufficient.

The type and amount of IV fluid used depends on various factors, including:

The severity of dehydration
The patient’s age and weight
Any underlying medical conditions

Monitoring and Follow-up

After initial treatment for severe dehydration, ongoing monitoring is crucial. This may involve:

Regular blood tests to check electrolyte levels
Urine output measurement
Vital sign monitoring

Once the immediate crisis is resolved, healthcare providers will work on addressing the underlying cause of dehydration to prevent recurrence.

Dehydration and Heat-Related Illnesses

Dehydration often goes hand-in-hand with heat-related illnesses, particularly during hot weather or intense physical activity.

Types of Heat-Related Illnesses

What are the different heat-related conditions associated with dehydration? They include:

Heat cramps: Painful muscle spasms, often in the legs or abdomen
Heat exhaustion: Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea
Heat stroke: A life-threatening condition with symptoms like high body temperature, confusion, and loss of consciousness

Prevention and Treatment

Preventing heat-related illnesses involves many of the same strategies as preventing dehydration:

Stay hydrated
Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn, which can affect your body’s ability to cool itself

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, it’s crucial to cool them down quickly and seek immediate medical attention.

The Role of Electrolytes in Hydration

While water is essential for hydration, electrolytes play a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance in the body.

Key Electrolytes and Their Functions

What are the main electrolytes involved in hydration? They include:

Sodium: Helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure
Potassium: Important for nerve and muscle function
Chloride: Helps maintain proper blood volume and pressure
Magnesium: Supports muscle and nerve function
Calcium: Essential for bone health and muscle contraction

Balancing Electrolytes During Rehydration

How can you ensure proper electrolyte balance when rehydrating? Consider these approaches:

Use oral rehydration solutions that contain a balanced mix of electrolytes
Consume electrolyte-rich foods along with water
For intense exercise lasting over an hour, consider sports drinks that contain electrolytes

It’s important to note that most people get sufficient electrolytes from their diet and don’t need supplements unless they’re experiencing severe dehydration or engaging in prolonged, intense physical activity.

Hydration Myths and Misconceptions

There are many myths surrounding hydration and dehydration. Let’s address some common misconceptions:

Myth: You Need to Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day

Is the “8×8 rule” (8 ounces of water, 8 times a day) necessary for everyone? Not necessarily. While it’s a good general guideline, individual hydration needs vary based on factors like activity level, climate, and overall health. Many people get significant hydration from foods and other beverages as well.

Myth: Clear Urine Always Indicates Good Hydration

While pale yellow urine generally indicates good hydration, completely clear urine might mean you’re drinking more water than your body needs. Very dark urine, on the other hand, often suggests dehydration.

Myth: Thirst is an Accurate Indicator of Dehydration

By the time you feel thirsty, you might already be mildly dehydrated. This is especially true for older adults, whose thirst sensation may be diminished. It’s better to drink fluids regularly throughout the day.

Myth: Coffee and Tea Always Dehydrate You

While caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, the fluid in coffee and tea more than makes up for it. Moderate consumption of these beverages can contribute to your daily fluid intake.

Technological Advances in Hydration Monitoring

As technology advances, new tools are becoming available to help individuals monitor their hydration status more accurately.

Wearable Hydration Sensors

How do wearable hydration sensors work? These devices typically use bioimpedance analysis to measure the body’s hydration levels. They can provide real-time data on your hydration status, alerting you when you need to drink more fluids.

Smartphone Apps for Hydration Tracking

Many smartphone apps are now available to help track water intake. While they don’t measure hydration directly, they can help users maintain good hydration habits by:

Sending reminders to drink water
Tracking daily fluid intake
Adjusting recommendations based on activity level and weather

Future Developments

What might the future hold for hydration monitoring? Researchers are working on even more advanced technologies, such as:

Contact lenses that can measure hydration through tear fluid
Ingestible sensors that can measure hydration from inside the body
Advanced algorithms that can predict hydration needs based on various physiological and environmental factors

While these technologies can be helpful tools, it’s important to remember that listening to your body and maintaining good hydration habits are still the foundations of proper hydration.

Dehydration Treatment – Oral Rehydration Therapy and Fluid Replacement

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Is Drinking Water Enough?
What to Do for a Dehydrated Child

You can become dehydrated for many different reasons. It could be from sweating too much. Vomiting or diarrhea can quickly remove fluids from your body, too. So can medicines that make you pee a lot.

All of these things can cause you to lose more water and electrolytes (essential minerals in your blood and body fluids) than are good for you. If you don’t have enough, your body has trouble doing the things it’s supposed to do.

There’s really only one way to treat dehydration — replace the fluids and electrolytes your body has lost.

For a mild case, it should be enough just to drink plenty of fluids. Water is your first choice, but there are lots of special drinks on the market that will help you replace your body’s lost water and electrolytes.

If you can’t get a pre-mixed rehydration solution, don’t try to make one yourself. Instead, replace lost fluids naturally with sips of water, fruit juice, crushed fruit mixed with water, or salty soups or broths.

Fruit juices may upset your stomach, so it’s best to dilute them with water. Avoid coffee, tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks. They’re diuretics, which means they can dehydrate you more because they all pull water from your body.

If your dehydration is serious, you may need to see a doctor to get treated with intravenous (IV) fluids. Severe dehydration may require you to go to the hospital. You should get medical attention immediately if you:

Haven’t peed in 8 hours
Have had a seizure
Are disoriented or confused
Have a weak or rapid pulse
Feel very tired
Feel dizzy when you stand
Are too sick (nauseated or vomiting) to take in fluids

If your baby or child becomes dehydrated (usually because of a fever, vomiting or diarrhea), treatment with an oral rehydration solution is your best bet. There are several over-the-counter options (Hydralyte and Pedialyte), which will give your child the right balance of electrolytes and salts.

Try giving small sips or by the teaspoon to begin with. You may even need to use a syringe if they’re having trouble drinking. For an older child, sports drinks diluted with water are the best treatment. Again, start with small sips and give them more as they show they can tolerate it.

For an infant, give plenty of breast milk and formula, but don’t give fruit juices if they are vomiting or have diarrhea. They can make it worse.

Dehydration can be serious in a baby or young child. If you notice these signs, see a doctor right away:

Extreme sleepiness
Less responsive than usual
Few wet diapers
Cold and blotchy hands and feet
No tears when crying
Dark yellow pee
Very dry mouth

Usually, dehydration is easy to treat at home if you get out of the heat and drink plenty of liquids. But once you’re thirsty, you’re probably already dehydrated, so it’s best to drink plenty of fluids regularly.

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Dehydration – Diagnosis & treatment

Diagnosis

Your doctor can often diagnose dehydration on the basis of physical signs and symptoms. If you’re dehydrated, you’re also likely to have low blood pressure, especially when moving from a lying to a standing position, a faster than normal heart rate and reduced blood flow to your extremities.

To help confirm the diagnosis and pinpoint the degree of dehydration, you may have other tests, such as:

Blood tests. Blood samples may be used to check for a number of factors, such as the levels of your electrolytes — especially sodium and potassium — and how well your kidneys are working.
Urinalysis. Tests done on your urine can help show whether you’re dehydrated and to what degree. They also can check for signs of a bladder infection.

More Information

Treatment

The only effective treatment for dehydration is to replace lost fluids and lost electrolytes. The best approach to dehydration treatment depends on age, the severity of dehydration and its cause.

For infants and children who have become dehydrated from diarrhea, vomiting or fever, use an over-the-counter oral rehydration solution. These solutions contain water and salts in specific proportions to replenish both fluids and electrolytes.

Start with about a teaspoon (5 milliliters) every one to five minutes and increase as tolerated. It may be easier to use a syringe for very young children. Older children can be given diluted sports drinks. Use 1 part sports drink to 1 part water.

Most adults with mild to moderate dehydration from diarrhea, vomiting or fever can improve their condition by drinking more water or other liquids. Diarrhea may be worsened by full-strength fruit juice and soft drinks.

If you work or exercise outdoors during hot or humid weather, cool water is your best bet. Sports drinks containing electrolytes and a carbohydrate solution also may be helpful.

Children and adults who are severely dehydrated should be treated by emergency personnel arriving in an ambulance or in a hospital emergency room. Salts and fluids delivered through a vein (intravenously) are absorbed quickly and speed recovery.

Preparing for your appointment

You’re likely to start by seeing your or your child’s doctor. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, the doctor may recommend urgent medical care. If you, your child or an adult who you care for is showing signs of severe dehydration, such as lethargy or reduced responsiveness, seek immediate care at a hospital.

If you have time to prepare for your appointment, here’s some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from the doctor.

What you can do

Write down any symptoms you or the person you’re caring for is experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. If you or the person you’re caring for has been vomiting or has had diarrhea, the doctor will want to know when it began and how frequently it’s been occurring.
Write down key personal information, including any recent trips taken or foods recently eaten that might have caused illness. In addition, your doctor will want to know if you or the person you’re caring for has recently been exposed to anyone with diarrhea.
Make a list of key medical information, including other conditions you or the person you’re caring for is being treated for and the names of the medications being taken. Include on your list prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as any vitamins and supplements.
Write down questions to ask your doctor.

For dehydration, some basic questions to ask the doctor include:

What’s causing these symptoms?
What kinds of tests are needed?
What treatment do you recommend?
How soon after treatment will there be improvement?
Are there any activity or dietary restrictions?
Is there anything I can do to prevent a recurrence of dehydration?
I have other health conditions. Do I need to change the treatments I’ve been using for them?
What steps can I take to prevent dehydration from happening again?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

When did the symptoms begin? What were you doing?
Are you able to keep down any food or drink?
How recently have you urinated? Are you experiencing any pain or urgency with urination?
Do you also have other signs or symptoms, such as abdominal cramping, fever, headache or muscle aches? How severe are these signs and symptoms?
Has there been blood in your stools?
Have you recently eaten any food that you suspect was spoiled?
Has anyone gotten sick after eating the same food that you did?
Have you recently been exposed to someone who you know was experiencing diarrhea?
Have you been coughing or had a runny nose?
What medications are you currently taking?
Have you recently traveled to another country?
Do you know what your or your child’s weight was before symptoms started?

11 signs that your body is dehydrated (and how to fix it)

The summer of 2021 turned out to be abnormally hot — in the central part of Russia, the temperature exceeded the norm by 5-7 degrees. In such heat, the body actively removes fluid, and it needs to be replenished. If you ignore this fact, you can face dehydration – a serious disease in both adults and children.

Signs of dehydration

Respiratory problems. Asthma and allergies are among the main symptoms of dehydration. This is because with the loss of a large amount of fluid, the protection of the mucous membranes decreases. Because of this, the child may choke, actively sneeze and cough.
High blood pressure. An insidious symptom that does not manifest itself actively at the beginning. It can result in headaches, darkening of the eyes, nosebleeds. This is due to the fact that the amount of water in the blood decreases, and it begins to move more slowly.
Weight gain. Cells especially need energy, which they can take from water filled with hydrogen. If the body lacks moisture, it has to replenish energy from another source – food, and very high-calorie food, because it contains the most energy.
High cholesterol. Cholesterol is actively released during dehydration and literally “freezes” the cells so that they stop losing water. Cholesterol levels can only be determined using a blood test, so do not forget about a systematic health check-up.
Skin diseases. The lack of the right amount of water affects the retention of toxins inside the body, which can cause problems such as acne, dermatitis, psoriasis.
Digestive disorders. Ulcers, gastritis and acid reflux are the consequences of poor food processing. The body stops producing enough digestive juices because it contains little water and the digestive system cannot function fully ( read also : 5 Good Digestion Exercises You Can Do Every Day).

Problems with stool. Poor functioning of the digestive tract and, as a result, constipation and other disorders are also associated with a small amount of water in the body. Refusal to drink quality water can lead to the immobilization of waste products inside the large intestine.
Pain in the joints. The cartilaginous pad that sits between the joints and prevents them from rubbing against each other becomes thinner due to lack of water. Then the friction increases, which leads to pain.
Bladder or kidney problems. As with the skin, the body is unable to remove toxins from the organs, which contributes to infections, inflammation and pain. Increasing the level of fluid in the body to the required rate will eliminate this problem.
Premature aging. This is what the older generation is facing. Skin discoloration and early wrinkles occur due to lack of moisture in the body. But this is also true for those who are expecting a baby. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of healthy water from natural sources or liquids filled with hydrogen.
Increased fatigue. Children’s activity in the summer, combined with the heat, can lead to dehydration. This process occurs at the chemical level – the reactions in the cells slow down, the child simply cannot be active. Therefore, you should not blame the child for laziness in such a situation.

How to deal with dehydration?

It is best to avoid folk prescriptions from the Internet and consult a doctor immediately . But the first aid immediately after discovering the problem is drinking plenty of water. To enhance the benefits, it is better to drink hydrogen water: it improves metabolism and helps beneficial substances to penetrate quickly and in full ( see also : Filtered, bottled or boiled: what is the healthiest water).

Do not turn a blind eye to the above signs, the consequences can be serious – from loss of consciousness to hospitalization. Self-medication can be harmful to the child, since only a doctor can determine whether it is necessary to restore salt metabolism.

Dehydration is often experienced not only because of the use of small amounts of water, but also because of its poor quality. The indicators of bottled water do not correspond to the parameters of the body, do not make it useful and do not protect against dehydration. Thanks to hydrogen water, the body is filled with antioxidants that protect the organs from harmful bacteria, and the cell membrane works efficiently – through it, useful substances completely get inside. A full-fledged work of all organs will be the key to a stable emotional state of the child and his good mood.

Dehydration in children

Changes in mood and emotional “swings” are signs of dehydration (dehydration) in children, since the body does not receive enough fluid, physiological processes are of poor quality, the child feels discomfort. Children lose fluid much faster than adults, because their system of water-salt metabolism is not so well established. Therefore, experts advise monitoring how often your child drinks and whether he uses quality water.

Not all liquids will be good for children. The body tends to perceive water with the same parameters as its own: redox potential (ORP), surface tension and the amount of active hydrogen. These factors in bottled water will not be equivalent to our body fluids, so it is important to drink water from natural sources or hydrogen water. Store-bought juices and lemonades are best excluded from the children’s diet.

The child constantly asks for water – is it worth sounding the alarm?

The desire to drink is quite natural, especially in the heat. To identify dehydration, you need to identify more significant signs that many do not even notice. My patients admitted that they did not even suspect that they were suffering from dehydration, and did not correlate the symptoms with this disease.

Thirst and dehydration are different things: the first is the need of the body, dehydration is a violation of the normal functioning of our organs, the most important of which consist of more than 75% water. Reducing the volume of water even by 2% will affect the well-being and normal life processes of the child.

Does pregnancy increase the risk of dehydration?

When a woman is pregnant, her body expends energy not only to maintain its condition, but also to develop and protect the fetus. Frequent urination and toxicosis in the early stages accelerate the process of removing fluid from the body.

The consequences can range from minor ailments to more serious things: disruption of the position of the fetus and the formation of the placenta, thickening of the blood, and even premature birth if dehydration caught up with you at a later date. Therefore, women who are expecting a baby should pay special attention to the right amount of healthy water in the body, which can be obtained thanks to ionizers.

Therapist-nutritionist, author of the body cleansing and detoxification program, member of the PreventAge association of doctors of preventive and anti-aging medicine, co-founder of the Vione water ionizer brand.

Photo: Getty Images

Scientists: If you’re thirsty, it means you’re already dehydrated this may occur for a banal reason: you drink little water. How the body hints at this, and what insufficient fluid intake can lead to, nutritionists said.

July 27, 2019

Source:: pixabay

An obvious sign that the body does not have enough water is thirst. However, if you are thirsty, it means that the body is already beginning to experience dehydration. This condition is best prevented. It is believed that by default you need to drink 8 glasses of water per day (two liters). But experts say that there are no identical recipes for everyone. The main guideline is the color of the urine, which should be light yellow. If it’s darker, it’s time to drink.