By Dr. Doug Quarry
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration
is the loss of water and salts essential for normal body function.
It occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in. It can result
from illness, hot and dry climates, prolonged exposure to the
sun or high temperatures, not drinking enough water and the overuse
of diuretics. It can upset the balance of fluids and salt needed
to maintain healthy cells/tissues and can be very serious if left
untreated.
Causes
There are many things that can
cause dehydration. Since the body is 2/3 water, you should drink
enough to replace fluid you lose each day. Note that a significant
amount of fluid is lost from breathing and normal perspiration.
Climate and physical exertion affect the traveler’s need for fluids—if
you’re in a warmer climate or exerting yourself and perspiring
more than you do at home, you will need to drink more fluids.
Additionally, travelers to some developing countries where tap
water is unsafe might not drink as much as usual because they
are advised only to drink bottled or boiled water.
Remember—hydration is important
at every climate, not just warm ones. For example, if you’re in
a cooler climate and develop traveler’s diarrhea, you should be
concerned about becoming dehydrated and drink plenty of fluids.
Additional causes of dehydration
include:
· Strenuous activity
· Excessive sweating
· High fever
· Prolonged vomiting or diarrhea
· Staying in the sun too long
· Not drinking enough fluids to maintain your body’s optimal
fluid level · Visiting or moving to a warm, dry region
Basic Symptoms
One way for adults to check their
hydration is to monitor the frequency and amount of urine they
produce. Large amounts of light colored or clear urine usually
indicate good hydration, while small amounts of dark yellow urine
may indicate dehydration. Additionally, an infant that does not
wet a diaper/nappy in an eight hour period is likely to be dehydrated.
Depression of the soft spot on the baby’s head (fontanelle) may
indicated severe dehydration.
Other symptoms of dehydration may
include a dry mouth, thirst, production of smaller amounts of
concentrated urine and rapid pulse. If it is more severe, confusion,
constipation, fever, pale and cold skin, rapid breathing, sunken
eyes, reduced and non-elastic skin that is slow to return to a
normal position after being pinched may occur.
Types of Dehydration
There are three types if dehydration:
mild, moderate and severe.
· Mild dehydration is the loss
of three to five percent of body’s fluids. A person with mild
dehydration experiences a lack of energy.
· Moderate dehydration is the
loss of five to ten percent of body fluids. It causes thirst,
lightheadedness, dizziness, headache and nausea. Urine turns
dark yellow and decreases in volume.
· Severe dehydration is the loss
of ten to 15 percent of body fluids. Severe dehydration is life
threatening and requires immediate medical care. Symptoms include
confusion, loss of consciousness and possible shock. The pulse
is rapid, blood pressure falls, skin is pale, cool and clammy,
breathing is shallow, and the patient experiences anxiety, restlessness
and increased thirst.
Treatment
Treatment varies depending on
the type of dehydration the patient is experiencing. Mild to moderate
causes of dehydration should be treated with increased fluid intake
and replacement of lost electrolytes (body salts). People with
mild cases may be able to just drink plain water or other fluids
and are usually cured in 24 to 48 hours. Those experiencing moderate
cases may need sports beverages and additional salt. Severe cases
of dehydration can require hospitalization and intravenous fluid
replacement. Call a doctor or an ambulance if someone you know
is experiencing severe hydration.
International
SOS members experiencing
symptoms of moderate or severe dehydration while abroad should
call the number on their membership card for further information
and to locate the nearest center of medical excellence.
Tips to Prevent Dehydration
If there is a possibility
that you may become dehydrated, consider the following tips:
· Seek medical attention if you
have severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting or other causes
of dehydration.
· Limit caffeine (coffee, tea,
cola) and alcohol intake, as these are diuretics and cause your
body to lose more water.
· Drink sports drinks, which
are specially formulated to replace fluids and salts.
· Drink several glasses of water
before going outside on a hot day.
· Drink plenty of water and juice
at mealtimes and between meals.
· Keep a glass of water nearby
when working or relaxing. Lack of thirst isn’t necessarily a
good indicator of good hydration.
· Drink regularly and make adjustments
based on weather and physical demands.
About International SOS:
International
SOS is the world's leading medical and security
assistance company with a dedicated, full time staff of more than
3,000 professionals including 250 physicians operating in 23 Alarm
Centers and 21 International Clinics around the world, 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year. From medical evacuations to travel safety
assistance, our mission is to help SOS members stay safe and healthy
while traveling or living abroad.
