Dehydration remedy homemade. 5 Effective Homemade Remedies for Dehydration: Natural Solutions for Fluid Balance
What are the most effective homemade remedies for dehydration. How can you prepare an oral rehydration solution at home. Which foods and drinks help combat dehydration naturally. What are the potential side effects of using home remedies for dehydration.
Understanding Dehydration: Causes and Symptoms
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to an insufficient amount of water and other fluids to carry out normal bodily functions. This condition can range from mild to severe and affects people of all ages.
Common causes of dehydration include:
- Excessive sweating
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Increased urination
- Fever
- Not drinking enough water
Recognizing the symptoms of dehydration is crucial for timely intervention. These may include:
- Thirst
- Dry mouth and lips
- Decreased urine output
- Dark-colored urine
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headache
Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution: A Simple yet Effective Remedy
One of the most effective and easily accessible remedies for dehydration is a homemade Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). This simple concoction can help restore the body’s fluid balance and replenish essential electrolytes.
How to Prepare Homemade ORS
To make your own ORS, follow these steps:
- Take 1 liter of clean water
- Add 5-6 teaspoons of sugar
- Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- Stir until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved
Drink this solution throughout the day to combat dehydration. It’s important to note that the solution should not be oversaturated with sugar or salt, as this can lead to further complications.
Yogurt: A Probiotic Powerhouse for Hydration
Yogurt is an excellent food to combat dehydration due to its high electrolyte content and probiotic properties. These beneficial bacteria can help restore the gut’s balance, which is particularly important if diarrhea is the cause of dehydration.
How to Incorporate Yogurt into Your Diet
There are several ways to consume yogurt for hydration:
- Eat a cup of plain yogurt once or twice a day
- Add some grated cheese on top for extra flavor and nutrients
- Mix yogurt with rice and a pinch of salt for a more substantial meal
- Prepare a yogurt-based smoothie with fresh fruits
While yogurt is generally beneficial, it’s important to be mindful of potential side effects. Consuming excessive amounts of yogurt can add significant calories to your diet and may cause digestive issues in some individuals.
Bananas: Nature’s Electrolyte-Rich Snack
Bananas are an excellent source of potassium and other essential minerals that help maintain proper hydration levels in the body. They also provide a quick energy boost, making them an ideal snack for those recovering from dehydration.
Benefits of Bananas for Hydration
- Rich in potassium, which helps regulate fluid balance
- Contains natural sugars for quick energy
- Helps prevent muscle cramps associated with dehydration
- Easy to digest and gentle on the stomach
Eating one to two bananas a day can significantly contribute to your hydration efforts. For those who prefer a liquid form, a banana smoothie can be an excellent alternative.
Buttermilk: A Refreshing Rehydration Drink
Buttermilk is a traditional remedy for dehydration in many cultures. This fermented dairy product is rich in essential minerals and probiotics, making it an excellent choice for replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes.
Why Buttermilk is Effective for Dehydration
- High in magnesium and potassium
- Contains beneficial probiotics
- Low in fat and easy to digest
- Provides a cooling effect, which can be helpful in hot weather
To maximize the benefits of buttermilk, consume it chilled and unsweetened. You can add a pinch of salt or roasted cumin powder for added flavor and electrolyte balance.
Water-Rich Fruits and Vegetables: Natural Hydration Boosters
Incorporating water-rich fruits and vegetables into your diet is an excellent way to combat dehydration while also providing essential vitamins and minerals. These foods not only help replenish fluids but also contribute to overall health and well-being.
Top Hydrating Fruits and Vegetables
- Watermelon (92% water)
- Cucumber (95% water)
- Strawberries (91% water)
- Cantaloupe (90% water)
- Tomatoes (94% water)
- Lettuce (95% water)
These foods can be consumed raw, juiced, or incorporated into salads and smoothies for maximum hydration benefits. They also provide fiber, which helps regulate digestion and maintain gut health.
Alternative Hydration Methods: Ice Cubes and Herbal Teas
While drinking water is the most direct way to combat dehydration, there are other methods that can be particularly helpful for those who have difficulty consuming large amounts of liquid at once.
Sucking on Ice Cubes
This method is especially useful for children or individuals experiencing nausea. Sucking on ice cubes provides a slow, steady intake of water, which can be easier to manage than drinking large quantities.
Herbal Teas for Hydration
Certain herbal teas can provide hydration benefits while also offering additional health properties:
- Chamomile tea: Helps replenish fluids and has calming properties
- Licorice root tea (Mulethi): Acts as a hydrating agent and can help lower body temperature
When preparing herbal teas, avoid adding sugar or sweeteners, as these can potentially worsen dehydration.
Precautions and Potential Side Effects of Home Remedies
While home remedies for dehydration are generally safe and effective, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and take necessary precautions.
General Precautions
- Ensure all fruits and vegetables are thoroughly washed before consumption
- Use only clean, safe water for preparing ORS and other drinks
- Be mindful of proper measurements when preparing ORS to avoid electrolyte imbalances
- Check expiration dates on dairy products like yogurt and buttermilk
Potential Side Effects
While rare, some individuals may experience side effects from certain remedies:
- Excessive yogurt consumption may lead to weight gain or digestive issues
- Some people may experience migraine headaches from eating bananas due to their tyramine content
- Overconsumption of licorice tea can lead to increased blood pressure in some individuals
It’s important to listen to your body and discontinue use of any remedy that causes discomfort or adverse reactions. If symptoms of dehydration persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly.
By understanding these home remedies and their proper application, you can effectively combat mild to moderate dehydration and maintain optimal fluid balance in your body. Remember, prevention is key, so make a habit of staying hydrated throughout the day, especially during hot weather or physical activity.
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Last Updated: Mar 08, 2021
What are the best home remedies for dehydration?
Dehydration is a health condition in which your body fluid level becomes critically low. Every cell in your body needs water to function properly. Hence, Dehydration will not cause disputed function in a single organ, but in many. If dehydration is not treated properly, it may cause severe disorders. Here is a set of home remedies to fend off Dehydration.
- The first and foremost remedy is homemade Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS):
To a jar of water (1 liter), add 5-6 teaspoons of sugar and a half teaspoon of salt. Make sure the solution is unsaturated. Drink this several times a day. This is one of the easiest and popular home remedies to treat Dehydration.
- Yogurt:
Is is next on the list. It is very helpful to restore the hydrated you. It has a high amount of electrolytes responsible for hydration. You can either eat a cup of yogurt (plain) with some grated cheese on top once or twice a day or have rice with yogurt and a pinch of salt.
- Bananas:
are rich in Potassium and other minerals which are responsible for increasing the essential minerals your body needs every day. Loss of an excessive amount of minerals from your body may also cause cramped muscles. Bananas take care of that as well and ensure the smooth functioning of muscles.
Eating one to two bananas is enough to keep you hydrated. You can also choose a cold banana smoothie if you don’t want to eat it in solid form. You should eat as many watery fruits as you can because they will keep you hydrated and prevent the loss of water constantly.
- Butter milk:
Dehydration leads to loss of minerals and ions from the body. Buttermilk helps to replenish the lost minerals from the body as it is a rich source of magnesium, potassium, and other minerals.
- Watery fruits:
It include watermelon, lemon, strawberries, cantaloupe, etc. Watery veggies like cucumber and tomatoes have similar benefits.
- Suck ice cubes:
Sucking ice cubes will supply the body with a small amount of water. It is more effective for little children who are not able to drink a lot of water at one time.
- Drink water:
Drinking plenty of water is one of the most effective home remedies during dehydration since a lot of water is lost during dehydration. Drink sufficient amounts of water to maintain the water level in the body.
- Chamomile:
Chamomile helps in replenishing the fluids lost due to dehydration. It hydrates the body. You can consume chamomile in the form of tea.
- Licorice ( Mulethi):
Licorice which is commonly known as mulethi helps to prevent dehydration. It acts as a hydrating agent and lowers the body temperature. you can consume mulethi after soaking the roots of mulethi overnight.
Summary: Dehydration can be treated by taking licorice, chamomile tea, buttermilk, banana, yoghurt, homemade ORAS. Drink plenty of water and fluids. You can suck ice cubes. You can eat a lot of water containing fruits and vegetables.
Are there any side effects of remedies for dehydration?
Side-effects of such home remedies are highly unlikely. But being mindful about consuming anything is important depending upon the individual condition to not worsen the problem. If you are suffering from Dehydration caused by Diarrhoea, be extra careful about what you eat or drink, for this has a major role to play in your body system.
Consuming unwashed fruits or vegetables, unpackaged yogurt, and unhealthy water will make you pay in the long run.
Please give hygiene priority before your intake. Also, be careful about the measurements. Don’t cross the level of 6 teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt while preparing your home ORS.
If you do, it will result in the high content of Sodium (Hypernatremia) and Potassium in the blood which is not healthy at all. Too much Yogurt can add more than 500 calories to your diet per day.
For women, eating excessive yogurt is never a good practice. This is because Yogurt has a type of sugar named Galactose, produced from Lactose which can develop Ovarian Cancer in women. It can also cause a weak immune system in you an infection from probiotics. Besides this, check the product’s expiration before you buy them. Expired products will only worsen the already bad situation.
Similarly, bananas can give you migraine headaches due to the presence of Tyrosine, an amino acid in it. Tyrosine gets converted into Tyramine and triggers a migraine. So keep all these points in mind before you start using these home remedies.
Summary: Despite being effective, certain home remedies have some side effects which vary from person to person, so choose your home remedy only if you are not allergic or sensitive to the particular substance. Do not use any home remedies in excess as it may be harmful to health.
What are the post-remedy guidelines?
Post remedy guidelines are important to make the results permanently fixed.
- You might get bored of drinking gallons of plain normal water every day and stop this practice. Don’t let your taste matter here. If you stop drinking fluids altogether, you will again fall into the trap of dehydration.
- Under such circumstances, try drinking alternatives of plain water like coconut water, sports drinks, fruit juices, etc.
- Coconut water is considered to be nature’s sports drink.
Its high amount of electrolytes is needed to maintain a water balance in your body.
- Next, add hydrating foods to your eating habits. Continue doing this regularly to rule out the future possibility of Dehydration.
- If you work out regularly, please carry a frozen water bottle or a sports drink while you are exercising.
- A major amount of water is lost when you exercise heavily and it is required to restore it by drinking fluids during or after your gym session.
How long does it take to recover from dehydration?
It usually takes a day or two to recover from mild Dehydration but it takes around 6 days to recover completely from heavy Dehydration or to get rid of dehydration after suffering from severe diseases.
Dehydration is never a healthy sign and can make you feel irritated and sick. It is always recommended to seek a doctor’s help as soon as you notice symptoms like dry mouth, headache, fatigue, etc.
However, the duration of recovery is mostly in your hands. The more you replenish yourself with oxygenated water, the better. You may feel the urge to urinate frequently but don’t get tired because of this. This is a sign of healthy functioning in your body. After urination, refill yourself with a glass of water again. Keep up this habit for fast results.
Are the results of the home remedies for dehydration are permanent?
The effects can be permanent if you walk on the right path. Although you may suffer from dehydration due to other diseases like excessive vomiting during Diarrhoea or Stomach Infection.
In that case, the recurrence of Dehydration is natural but if you continue following the guidelines to prevent yourself from getting dehydrated again, you will certainly have better health.
Try consuming tropical fruits like Pineapple, Mangos, and Grapes in plenty every day. You can prepare healthy smoothies of different fruits like Kiwi, Orange, or Berries. This will be the most beneficial way of treating your Dehydration. Do these to make the effects permanent.
Is there any training or experts required to perform these natural remedies for dehydration?
No training is required to fight against Dehydration. It is a simple decline in the fluid level of your body. It can be easily treated by yourself with these home remedies. Don’t try out any medication without consulting with a medical professional. Natural remedies are safe and effective as long as you are careful about the guidelines.
Depending on the level of intensity of Dehydration, it may take you a long time to completely fight it out. So have patience and take the help of medical experts if you wish to. Remember, water is the secret to a wholesome life.
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Written ByDr. Pranjit Mushahary MBBS,MD(medicine),MD – Internal Medicine
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Dehydration Symptoms, Causes and Natural Treatments
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By Jillian Levy, CHHC
June 14, 2022
Most of us love the summer months, spending time anywhere the weather’s warm and working up a good sweat. However, long periods of hot, humid climates — or exposure to soaring temperatures in other forms, such as from exercising — can lead to problems associated with an electrolyte imbalance, including dehydration symptoms.
Some surveys show that 60 percent to 75 percent of Americans don’t drink enough water daily, and up to 30 percent may be chronically dehydrated. Staying properly hydrated, especially whenever you’re losing fluids, is the very best way to feel your best and also ward off potential heat exhaustion and dehydration symptoms.
Whom does dehydration affect most? Athletes, people who perform manual labor outdoors, young children, those with gastrointestinal health conditions and the elderly are all at higher risk for experiencing dehydration.
What do you need to do in order to protect yourself from the sometimes-dangerous effects of fluid and electrolyte loss? As you’ll learn, drinking enough water daily, monitoring your thirst and urination, and rehydrating after workouts are all important steps.
What Is Dehydration?
Dehydration occurs when there is a harmful reduction in the amount of water in the body. It’s possible to become dehydrated if you lose as little as 3 percent of your body weight from water depletion.
There are three main types of dehydration, depending on the specific fluids that are lost:
- Hypotonic or hyponatremic: Low levels of electrolytes, mostly sodium.
- Hypertonic or hypernatremic: The loss of water.
- Isotonic or isonatremic: Low levels of both water and electrolytes.
Any of these three types of dehydration can be mild, moderate or severe.
- Mild is when the body has lost about 2 percent of its total fluids.
- Moderate is the body losing 5 percent of total fluids.
- Severe dehydration is when the body has lost about 10 percent of its fluids. Severe dehydration, as you can probably guess, is considered a life-threatening emergency.
Here’s what happens in the body when someone becomes dehydrated:
Dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of bodily fluids. In other words, it occurs when the body needs more fluids than are being consumed in order to function normally.
The bodily fluids that are lost and desperately needed during dehydration are either water (h3O), one or more electrolytes, or commonly a combination of both.
Electrolytes are substances that are required at specific levels in the body to carry electrical signals, help keep pH balanced and maintain critical functions, like heartbeat rhythms and nerve signaling.
The main types of electrolytes found in the body are:
- calcium
- sodium
- potassium
- chloride
- magnesium
- bicarbonate
Out of these electrolytes, potassium, sodium and chloride ions are considered the “most essential” electrolytes in regard to hydration.
Some parts of the body are more “electrically wired” than others, so they require higher amounts of these important ions (electrolytes). The body parts that most rely on proper electrolyte balance and hydration — and are therefore especially prone to damage caused by low fluid levels — are the brain, central nervous system and muscular system.
Here’s an overview of the role that different electrolytes have and how they can contribute to dehydration:
- Too much sodium can cause a type of dehydration called hypernatremia. High sodium intake is a big concern for people eating a “typical Western diet” or what many refer to as the standard American diet, which includes many packaged foods.
- Potassium plays a critical role in regulating heartbeat and muscle functions. A deviation in potassium levels, either higher than they should be or lower than the body requires, can adversely impact the heart rhythm and cause changes in blood pressure. Many people are low in potassium, which is made worse by consuming lots of sodium.
- Chloride helps with balancing other fluids. A significant increase or decrease in chloride levels in the body can lead to serious health problems, including death.
- Magnesium is needed for muscle contractions, proper heart rhythms, nerve functioning, bone-building and strength, reducing anxiety, digestion, and keeping a stable protein-fluid balance. That’s why magnesium deficiency is harmful and can lead to side effects.
A variety of hormones also control the activity and concentrations of electrolytes in body. Electrolytes are mainly secreted in the kidneys and adrenal glands. They’re controlled by hormones, including rennin, angiotensin, aldosterone and antidiuretic hormones.
Related: Tips for Working Out in the Heat Safely (Plus Its Benefits)
Dehydration Symptoms
How can you tell if you are dehydrated? There’s a lot more to dehydration than simply feeling very thirsty. For example, some other signs of dehydration are having tension in your neck or jaw, constipation, vomiting, and lingering muscle spasms.
What are the 10 signs of dehydration? The most common warning signs and symptoms of dehydration are:
- Dry mouth
- Sleepiness
- Feeling thirsty
- Decreased urination
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Research now shows just how much dehydration can impact overall moods and cognitive functions, contributing to a lack of concentration, along with impairments in vision, perceptive discrimination, tracking, recall, attention, psychomotor skills, memory and even self-esteem.
This makes sense considering that about 60 percent of our bodies are composed of water, while 75 percent of our muscles and 85 percent of our brains are made up of water.
Digestive issue are also a common sign of dehydration (including in young children). That’s because muscles within the digestive tract need enough water to contract properly in order to help you go to the bathroom.
Either high or low levels of water and/or electrolytes can result in diarrhea, constipation, cramping or hemorrhoids.
Among the elderly, dehydration is one of the main reasons for hospitalizations each year. Many elderly people experience health problems during extreme weather periods, such as high heat in the summertime, which can increase the need or water.
If dehydration progresses over a period of time, severe dehydration symptoms might be experienced, such as:
- Extreme thirst
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Extremely dry mouth and mucus membranes
- Sunken eyes
- Lack of sweating
- Lack of tears
- Very dry skin
- Very little or no urination
- In babies, sunken fontanel (a “soft spot” on their heads)
- Skin that won’t “bounce back” when touched (due to moisture loss)
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeats or irregular heart rates
- Fever
- Delirium
There are subtle differences between the signs of dehydration and the signs of hypernatremia. Hypernatremia is characterized by loss of water more than loss of electrolytes.
Some of the symptoms of dehydration and hypernatremia are similar, although they might affect people differently.
Hypernatremia isn’t always more serious than dehydration, but for some symptoms are more noticeable and severe.
Here are some symptoms of hypernatremia:
- Warm, velvety skin
- Dry mucus membranes
- Complaints of extreme thirst
- Twitching
- Lethargy
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Rigidity and stiffness of the muscles or joints
- Convulsions
Causes/Risk Factors
Dehydration can happen for all sorts of reasons, from eating a poor diet to becoming sick and having a fever.
Below are groups of people at a higher risk for experiencing dehydration:
- Young children and infants: An infant’s fluid exchange rate is seven times greater than that of an adult, and an infant’s metabolic rate is two times greater relative to body weight. These factors influence fluid levels, as does many children’s hesitancy to drink enough plain water.
- The elderly: Older people often don’t eat enough or drink enough water. Sometimes they lose the ability to feel thirsty or become accustomed to experiencing dehydration, such as fatigue.
- Anyone who is chronically ill, especially if the illness involves vomiting or diarrhea, which causes the body to lose more water.
- Those overcoming fevers or viruses. It’s been found that vomiting patients and those with a stomach virus or fever likely have both restricted intakes of water and also low levels of electrolytes through vomit itself.
- People recovering from surgery, during which they might not be drinking enough water due to not feeling well.
- Endurance athletes.
- High-altitude dwellers.
- Those living or working in very hot, humid conditions: The daily water requirements for temperate conditions can double or even triple in very hot weather.
- Farmers, miners, military personnel, construction workers, firefighters, forest workers, park and recreation employees, and industrial personnel are often highly physically active at work and have been found to experience higher rates of dehydration.
- Anyone sweating a lot.
- Eating a poor diet that’s low in essential minerals and nutrients from whole foods.
- Having digestive issues that block normal absorption of nutrients from foods.
- Those with hormonal imbalances and endocrine disorders, which can affect urination, such as hyperthyroidism.
- Anyone taking certain medications, including those used to treat cancer, heart disease or hormonal disorders. This can include people taking antibiotics, over-the-counter diuretics or corticosteroid hormones.
- Those with kidney disease or damage: The kidneys play a critical role in regulating chloride in your blood and “flushing out” potassium, magnesium and sodium.
- People recovering from sepsis or those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Chemotherapy patients: Treatment can cause side effects of low blood calcium or calcium deficiency, changes in blood potassium levels, and other electrolyte deficiencies.
- Using certain street/illegal drugs that increase urination, such as alcohol; stimulants, like cocaine and ecstasy; and opioids, such as heroin or codeine.
Natural Treatments
1. Drink Enough Water Daily
What is the fastest way to treat dehydration? Oral rehydration with water is the best option in many cases.
It’s vital to listen to your body and drink water throughout the day. Water is the best way to prevent and beat dehydration, especially during the warm summer months when we’re all prone to perspiring even more than usual.
Simply consuming the recommended eight to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water on a daily basis is usually enough for most to maintain healthy electrolyte levels and avoid dehydration symptoms. When you’re exposed to very hot temperatures, or during and after workouts, drinking more is a good idea.
Factors like your diet, age, physical activity level and body size all determine how much water you need.
How do you know you’re drinking enough water? A good rule of thumb is to drink enough so you urinate at least every three to four hours.
Your urine shouldn’t be dark yellow but doesn’t need to be clear either. You’re looking for a color somewhere in the middle, usually a pale yellow. For most people, this happens when they consume eight to 10 glasses daily, but again your needs might vary depending on the day.
Keep in mind that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need additional fluids (about 10–13 glasses every day) to stay hydrated and prevent deficiencies, as do teenagers who are growing and developing faster than people of other ages. Anyone taking antibiotics, diuretics, hormonal pills, blood pressure medications or cancer treatments might also become dehydrated more easily, so extra fluids are a good idea.
2. Eat More Hydrating Foods
Here are 10 of the best naturally hydrating foods to eat regularly:
- Coconut water or coconut milk
- Celery
- Watermelon and other melon
- Cucumber
- Kiwi
- Bell peppers
- Citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruit
- Carrots
- Cultured dairy foods (including yogurt, kefir and amasai)
- Pineapple
Other good sources of water from foods are:
- bananas
- grapes
- bitter melon
- papaya
- lettuce
- berries
- avocado
- zucchini
- tomatoes
- radishes
Another important step to maintaining normal electrolyte levels is to decrease foods high in sodium, including those that are packaged, canned, frozen or processed.
As you can see, foods that are hydrating tend to be vegetables and fruits. They have a high water content and also contain valuable electrolytes.
There’s a reason tropical fruits like mangos and pineapple are so popular among populations living near the equator where it’s very warm.
One example is those living in Costa Rica, an area that’s one of the world’s healthy blue zones. People living there have one of the longest expected life spans in the world and regularly eat hydrating foods, like tomatoes, oranges and mangos.
3. Try Healthy Alternatives to Plain Water
If drinking regular water isn’t always appealing to you, you’ll be happy to know that there are other low-sugar, hydrating options. Coconut water is one of nature’s best hydrating drinks, for example.
Coconut water contains many things that contribute to hydration, like potassium, amino acids, enzymes, growth factors and minerals. In fact, the chemical makeup of coconut water is similar to human blood, which makes it perfect for helping us recover from dehydration or workouts.
Other drinks that can help keep you hydrated are:
- Homemade vegetable juices
- Fruit smoothies
- Vegetable pops made from pureed and frozen fruit
- Herbal teas
- Sparkling water with fruit slices
- Warm water with fresh-squeezed lemon or lime and a little raw honey
- Hot water with fresh-steeped herbs (such as ginger, peppermint or dandelion)
- Coconut kefir
- Kombucha
- Bone broth and other vegetable broths
Avoid too much alcohol, too much caffeine from coffee or tea, and soda and sweetened drinks. All of these can cause increased urination, dehydration and, in the case of too much sugar, inflammation.
4. Hydrate During and After Exercise
During times of increased activity or exercise, we lose more water and electrolytes because we sweat more. The best way to offset this process is to consume more fluids than usual.
Aim to drink water before a workout, at least some while exercising and a glass immediately after. All in all, aim for about 1.5 to 2.5 cups for shorter workouts and about three extra cups for longer workouts that last more than one hour.
In the case of vigorous exercise or endurance training, it’s also beneficial to drink something with natural electrolytes, including sodium chloride or potassium chloride. The problem is that most sports drinks have tons of added sugar and synthetic flavorings, so opt for something like coconut water instead.
It’s also helpful to eat a balanced meal after exercise and then continue drinking water throughout the rest of the day. If you notice yourself feeling dizzy or heavily cramping, try drinking more fluids immediately and consuming something with electrolytes until you feel better.
5. Prevent Dehydration During illnesses
If you’ve been sick, such as with a fever that causes vomiting or diarrhea, or you have a gastrointestinal issue that causes these symptoms (such as inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease), make sure to increase your water intake.
Dehydration caused by illnesses can contribute to complications, including kidney stones, bladder infections, urinary tract stones and potentially even heart failure. Electrolyte drinks can be helpful during chronic vomiting or diarrhea.
If you’re showing signs of severe dehydration, head to your health care provider for help. You may need to be treated with a solution of oral rehydration salts, intravenous (IV) fluids or electrolytes if necessary (also called rehydration therapy).
Risks and Side Effects
What are the side effects of dehydration? Both infants and older adults sometimes limit voluntary fluid intake, and this can increase the risk of:
- dizziness
- falls
- urinary tract infections
- dental disease
- kidney stones
- chronic constipation
While moderate dehydration is dangerous for anyone, infants/young children and anyone recovering from serious illnesses should be monitored to avoid complications.
If urination stops or becomes very infrequent, it’s time to see a doctor right away to rule out underlying causes that may be life-threatening.
Older adults and those who are sick can quickly become dehydrated due to age-associated and inflammation-related physiologic changes. These can include nutrient impairment, thirst impairment, incontinence, reduced mobility (constipation) and confusion.
Conclusion
- Dehydration occurs when too much fluid is lost from the body compared to how much is taken in.
- What are the signs of dehydration? The most common ones are dizziness, shakiness, constipation, headaches, feeling very thirsty, dark-colored urine, irritability, trouble concentrating, and dry skin and eyes.
- Dehydration needs to be treated, or it can cause complications, such as kidney damage, irregular heart rate, fainting, trouble seeing, falling due to poor balance and even seizures. People with existing health conditions, the elderly and infants are most susceptible to these side effects.
- The best natural treatments for dehydration are drinking more water throughout the day (or other hydrating beverages), avoiding alcohol and too much salt or caffeine, consuming more hydrating fruits and veggies, and refueling with extra electrolytes during/after workouts or times of illness.
Natural Dehydration Remedies
Hydration ratio remains important to your overall health because every cell in your body needs water to function properly. Moreover, water makes up two-thirds of a healthy human body and is responsible for lubricating the joints and eyes, removing waste and toxins from the body, as well as the digestive process, keeping the skin healthy.
Occur or occur Drought When your body loses more fluid than you gain, resulting in insufficient water content for your biological system to function properly.
Inadequate water intake during the summer months, combined with strenuous exercise resulting in excessive sweating, can lead to dehydration in people of all ages. Apart from these, there are many other reasons that can lead to this condition.
Severe dehydration can quickly turn into a fatal complication, so immediate medical attention is required.
Causes of dehydration
Breath, sweat, urination, stool, tears and saliva are normal sources of daily water loss in the body. The lost fluid is then replaced by the fluids and nutrients (with water content) that we consume.
Dehydration occurs when a person loses too much water from the body or cannot eat or drink enough to keep the body hydrated.
High-risk groups for developing this condition include:
- infant
- small children
- Elderly people
- People with chronic diseases
- endurance athletes
- People living at high altitude
Your body may be losing more water than usual because:
- fever
- Vigorous training in hot weather
- Sun exposure too long (heat stroke)
- drink a lot of alcohol
- diarrhea
- excessive sweating
- Vomiting
- excessive urination (Diabetes mellitus) Some medicines, such as diuretic tablets, also called diuretics, may cause more frequent urination. )
Signs and symptoms of dehydration
Symptoms of dehydration in adults include:
- feeling thirsty
- Dark yellow urine and strong odor
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- muscle cramps
- feeling tired
- Dry mouth, lips and eyes
- Insufficient urination
- Urination less than four times a day
Symptoms associated with dehydration in infants or young children:
- dry mouth and tongue
- No tears when crying
- No wet diapers for three hours
- Sunken eyes and cheeks
- lethargy or irritability
Symptoms of acute or chronic dehydration are:
- extreme thirst
- confusion
- Little or no urination
- sunken eyes
- very dry mouth
- Dry skin lacking elasticity
- low blood pressure
- rapid heartbeat
- rapid breathing
- Delirium or loss of consciousness
Immediate Treatment
If you are dehydrated, follow these simple steps:
- Drink oral rehydration solution (ORS) or plenty of freshly squeezed fruit juice to hydrate.
- Drink the liquid in small sips at regular intervals.
- Remove clothing and remove excess layers.
- If possible, use a spray bottle or spray water on exposed skin to promote evaporative cooling.
There are a number of safe and natural methods that can be used to treat dehydration.
Natural Treatment Options for Dehydration
Here are some simple and effective home remedies for dehydration.
1. Increase your water intake.
The first step to treating dehydration is to increase your water intake. Water is usually sufficient to hydrate adults. You should drink enough water, even if you don’t feel particularly thirsty.
- Drink small amounts of water or other clear liquids throughout the day.
- Drink beverages containing carbohydrates or electrolytes.
- Sucks popsicles and drinks sports drinks.
- Suck on bottled water or ice cubes. Do this at frequent intervals.
- According to the Institute of Medicine, healthy adult men living in temperate climates need an adequate intake of about 13 cups (3 liters) of drinks per day, while healthy adult women need about 9cups (2.2 liters) of drinks per day. .
2. Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution
It is important to quickly restore lost fluids and minerals in the body when a person becomes dehydrated. The easiest way to achieve this is to use homemade OCRs.
A 2010 study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology reported that ORS was effective against deaths from dehydration caused by diarrhea at home.
- Add ½ teaspoon salt and 6 teaspoons sugar (or brown sugar) to 4 cups of drinking water.
- Stir well until salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Drink this solution several times a day until complete recovery.
You can also buy ORS from a pharmacy approved by the World Health Organization.
Consult your physician before taking ORS if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or if you have health problems such as an inability to retain fluid in the stomach (eg, severe/persistent vomiting), bowel obstruction, difficulty urinating.
3. Yoghurt.
Yogurt is an effective remedy for dehydration caused by diarrhea or vomiting. It is a good source of electrolytes. In addition, it soothes the stomach and is easily digested.
- Drink a cup of plain yogurt several times a day. You can add some cottage cheese to yogurt.
- You can also eat boiled boiled rice with milk and a pinch of salt.
4. Water-rich fruits and vegetables
If you are mild to moderately dehydrated, this will help increase your intake of water-rich fruits and vegetables.
According to a study conducted at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) in 2009, fruits and vegetables with a high water content rehydrate the body twice as effectively as a glass of water.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2013) reports that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables can improve hydration in children.
High water fruits and vegetables contain hydrating salts, minerals and sugars. Hence, it works in a similar way to the isotonic drinks preferred by athletes.
Some examples of these fruits and vegetables are: Watermelon muskmelon, grapefruit and orange And strawberries, cucumbers, grapes and Papaya وCelery Salad, radishes, spinach, zucchini and tomatoes.
All these foods and snacks.
You can also add it to salads or smoothies.
5. Banana
banana Another fruit that can help you deal with mild dehydration. Dehydration leads to the loss of essential minerals such as Potassium in the body. Being rich in potassium, it can help the banana to restore this important mineral.
In addition, it can help restore the normal functioning of tense muscles caused by the loss of excess water in the body.
- Eat one to two bananas throughout the day.
- You can also drink banana juice and enjoy banana flour.
6. Coconut water.
A glass of coconut water can also help with dehydration. The high electrolyte content of coconut water makes it a very hydrating drink. In addition, they are relatively low in calories and sugar.
According to a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2012), coconut water has benefits very similar to sports drinks.
drink a cup of Coconut water Several times a day to rehydrate the body. Since the cells of the body quickly absorb coconut water, you will get quick results.
7. Milk.
According to Ayurveda, yogurt is a good remedy for mild dehydration. It is a source of essential minerals that are lost through excessive sweating (one of the main causes of dehydration).
- Drink a glass of yogurt several times a day to help your body recover.
- Another option is to drink one cup of yogurt mixed with a teaspoon of ginger. Dry several times a day.
8. Barley water
Barley water is another effective remedy for maintaining the body’s water balance. The nutrients in barley help to replenish lost minerals due to dehydration. Barley water can quickly relieve symptoms of dehydration because it is easily digested and cools the body.
- Mix 1 cup soaked barley with 3-4 cups of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover for 45-60 minutes.
- Let it cool and then filter.
- Add some lemon juice and honey.
- Drink barley water regularly.
9. Lemon water.
Lemon water is an excellent remedy for dehydration. This relaxing drink will help hydrate your body so you feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
- Add lemon juice to a glass of water.
- Add 1 teaspoon raw honey, XNUMX teaspoon black pepper powder and a pinch of salt.
- Drink this soothing drink at regular intervals.
prevent dehydration
You can prevent dehydration by doing a few simple things, such as:
- Drink enough water before going out, especially in hot and sunny weather.
- Eat foods high in water.
- Carry a reusable water bottle with you when you go outside to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid alcohol if you are prone to dehydration. Has a drying effect.
- Wear suitable clothing that allows you to breathe if you are regularly outdoors in hot weather or doing vigorous exercise.
- Do not exercise at the weakest time of the day.
- Pay special attention to infants and the elderly, as they are more susceptible to dehydration.
Additional tips
- Rest in a cool place. Avoid overvoltage.
- If you are dehydrated, do not drink sodas, coffee, or drinks that are high in sugar, as these can make you feel worse.
- Avoid too much fruit juice as the sugar it contains can raise blood sugar levels.
- When you are dehydrated, stick to water-rich foods for a few days.
- If dehydration is caused by prolonged physical activity, drink a sports drink containing electrolytes.
See also: Diarrhea, symptoms, causes, types of diarrhea, treatment, prevention methods
When will you see a doctor?
It is recommended to call XNUMX or see a doctor if you experience the following symptoms associated with severe dehydration:
- rapid breathing
- drowsiness
- dark yellow urine
- Few or no tears during crying
- Dry mouth
- Irritability and confusion
- Less active than usual
- black or bloody stools
- Failure to save fluid
- Diarrhea for 24 hours or more
If treatment is not started on time, dehydration can lead to serious complications. Mild dehydration can be treated without medical intervention. However, if you are severely dehydrated, you should seek medical attention.
Expert answers (Q&A)
How dangerous is dehydration during pregnancy?
For most women, dehydration during pregnancy can cause uterine contractions at various stages of pregnancy. Everyone, whether they are pregnant or not, is concerned that severe dehydration can lead to low blood pressure, a lack of blood flow to the vital organs necessary for the proper functioning of the body.
To avoid this, pregnant women should definitely drink water, especially during the warm season.
Is milk a good choice for hydration?
Milk is a good source to prevent dehydration, although water or a drink with electrolytes may be better. For those who may experience diarrhea or vomiting, it is preferable to drink something to replace lost electrolytes. Milk can help increase calcium levels, but rehydration cannot be achieved.
Which organs suffer the most during a drought?
The body has a way of compensating for mild dehydration that doesn’t affect the organs much. However, in case of severe dehydration caused by low fluid intake or even excessive bleeding, the body can go into shock, which can affect the brain, liver, kidneys, and heart.
How accurate is the disk test to determine if you are dehydrated?
The disc test is usually used for severe dehydration. It is not uncommon for people to reach this point very often. An indication of whether you are dehydrated in the early stages will be the color of your urine. The brighter colored your urine, the more likely you are to become dehydrated.
Can excessive coffee consumption lead to dehydration?
Coffee can cause dehydration because it is a diuretic which leads to increased urination. This results in fluid loss from the body. To balance the effects of coffee, it may be helpful to drink more water to replenish lost fluids.
Please provide our readers with some tips on how to stay hydrated.
- The easiest test to see if you are hydrated is to look at your urine. If your urine is clear, you are probably dehydrated. To avoid dehydration, it is recommended to schedule specific times during the day to rehydrate.
- If you know you will be living in a warmer climate, be sure to bring water to drink during the day.
7 life hacks for dehydrated and dry skin
7 life hacks for dehydrated and dry skin
Skin can be naturally dry, or it can become dry from dehydration – loss of moisture, when in fact you have a normal or even oily type. Moisturized skin of any type looks firmer and younger, wrinkles and the first signs of aging appear later. In this article, we will tell you how to moisturize dry skin of the face and deal with dehydration with the help of 7 life hacks that many do not know about.
1. Choose the right moisturizing ingredients
Several groups of cosmetics provide the best moisturizing
ingredients. Here’s what to buy for home care for dry skin, although these
components suitable for other skin types:
- Products containing urea, amino acids, lactic acid. They restore the layer of molecules on the surface of the epidermis that retains moisture. It is called natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Normally, he copes with the protection of the skin from dehydration. But if the NMF is destroyed, the epidermis rapidly loses water.
- Products with polysaccharides, high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, glycerin, collagen. Such components cover the surface of the skin and capture moisture from the surrounding air. Cosmetics with a high concentration of glycerin should not be used when the air is dry, as in such a situation it can draw water from the skin.
- Products with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid – it penetrates deeper than other compounds and helps to moisturize the lower layers of the stratum corneum.
2. Change your skin care products according to the season
drier indoors, skin needs extra protection.
For very dry skin care
replace the moisturizer with a fatty nourishing one. Be sure to use
special means to protect against frost if you are out for a long time
fresh air. Otherwise, the epidermis will actively lose moisture.
In summer, light moisturizing gels, veils, sprays are ideal. They moisturize well, do not clog pores, cool, they are more comfortable to use in the summer heat. If the skin is too dry, then you should not change the usual remedy for a gel, you can choose a cream with a lighter texture.
3. Use modern care technologies
Everyone knows about thermal water, which is used to maintain
skin hydration throughout the day. However, now there are more convenient and
effective means. For example, hardware nanospray
OLZORI GLamour helps to deeply moisturize the skin, fill it with moisture,
cool, preserve beauty and elasticity.
The mechanism of action is simple: instead of a jet of water, as in a conventional spray,
the device generates nanofog – the smallest water droplets that look like
cloud. In this form, moisture penetrates well into the deeper layers of the skin, quickly
absorbs and does not remain on the surface. So soft and deep moisturizing
prevents the formation of wrinkles, relieves irritation of dry facial skin, opens pores. For
15 seconds is enough to achieve the effect.
After thermal water, the face must be blotted with a napkin, otherwise the moisture will evaporate and dry the skin. There is no need to do this after OLZORI GLamour Nano Spray Moisturizer: the water vapor will quickly absorb itself.
4. Don’t get carried away with oils for dry skin
Oil-based products will help restore moisture levels in dry skin.
These can be creams with natural oils or other lipid components.
They form a fatty film on the surface, as a result, water evaporates more slowly,
the scales of the stratum corneum are fastened together – this restores the protective
skin barrier. This method is called “occlusion”, it is used to quickly
moisturizing very dry skin.
However, oil-based products for dry skin are only suitable for you in one case: if the top layer of the epidermis is damaged or damaged. They are not used on an ongoing basis – they interfere with the production of the skin’s own protective lipids. For daily care, water-based products are needed.
5. Make moisturizing compresses with different products
Treatment compresses can help to quickly moisturize
skin restoration. Over a water-based moisturizer or serum
apply a greasy occlusive agent. Could it be face oil?
or any nourishing cream. It will not allow moisture to evaporate from the surface
epidermis, the moisturizing effect will be maximum. The stratum corneum of the skin
absorbs water and useful components with a compress, the skin becomes soft and
tender.
It is better to apply products for dry skin in layers in the evening – they will fully work overnight. For oily or problematic skin, the technique is not suitable, it can cause inflammation.
6.
Apply moisturizer to wet face
Everyone knows that regular moisturizing is important for dry skin care.
But for maximum results, it is used immediately after taking the evening or
morning shower.
Firstly, after bathing your pores are opened, the active compounds of the cream will penetrate the skin better. Secondly, water remains on the surface of the face, which is sealed with a cream. If you use a tonic, then apply the cream directly to it. In order for the active compounds of the product to better penetrate the skin, use the OLZORI D-LIFT 9 massager.0003
7. Be careful when cleaning the skin
Cleaners containing alcohol or harsh alkalis,
contraindicated for dry and dehydrated skin. Even if you suffer from excess
oily skin, drying agents can be harmful: they remove all
fatty film from the face, as a result, the sebaceous glands begin to work even harder,
the condition of the epidermis deteriorates. For oily skin, choose gels with a gentle
composition, and for dry it is better to choose foams or emulsions.