Bring dehydration. Home treatment for severe dehydration

Health

The role of water for our body cannot be underestimated, especially since almost all metabolic processes in our body, one way or another, depend on the fluid inside our body. The lack of water in the body can lead to devastating consequences for it, causing the development of many diseases. And, on the contrary, this condition itself - dehydration of the body - can be a kind of signal about developing diseases. That is why it is so important to have sufficient information about dehydration - a condition of the body, which in medicine is called dehydration.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT DEHYDRATION

-- Dehydration is said to be when there is an increased loss of water from the body.

-- The state of dehydration threatens a person at any age, but the process of dehydration is most dangerous in childhood and the elderly.

-- Dehydration of the body, as such, can be caused insufficient fluid intake; loss of water as a result of intense physical exertion; strong sweating; vomiting or diarrhea; as well as increased excretion of fluid in the form of urine.

-- A healthy adult needs to consume at least 2.5 liters of any liquid per day in order to maintain an adequate level of fluid in their body.

-- The first signs that may indicate dehydration are increased fatigue, nausea, low blood pressure, dry mouth and chapped lips.

-- Severe cases of dehydration lead to organ prolapse and death.

-- Usually, in order to restore the necessary level of fluid in the body, it is enough for a person to regularly begin to replenish its reserves through drinking. However, in some severe cases, it may be necessary to give fluids into the body through a vein – a so-called intravenous rehydration(moisture recovery).

-- Since important electrolytes (sodium, potassium and other substances) are removed from the body during dehydration, it is necessary to take care of replenishing their deficiency.

WHY DOES THE BODY NEED LIQUID?

So, dehydration of the body occurs when the human body loses its fluid reserves. This is indeed a very detrimental process for human health., since 65 percent of the mass of an adult's body falls on liquid. In people suffering from obesity, this figure is slightly lower at 55 percent. These figures are correct for the male half of the population; as for the female body, then about 10 percent should be subtracted from each figure.

Scientists have long known that approximately two-thirds of all fluid in the human body is contained in cells. It is called the intracellular fluid. The remaining third of the fluid is outside the cells and is called, respectively, extracellular (tissue) fluid. Approximately a quarter of the extracellular fluid is contained in the plasma (that is, in the arteries, veins and capillaries). The rest of the extracellular fluid is located outside the cells and blood vessels filling the so-called tissue gaps. This fluid is called intercellular. All the natural processes that take place in the human body - such as blood circulation, kidney function and the process of sweating - are impossible with a lack of fluid. Cells, with a lack of fluid in the body, also dry out and cannot perform their functions properly. That is why it is necessary to maintain the natural supply of fluid in the body, regularly feeding it with appropriate doses of water from the outside.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK OF DEHYDRATION?

The elderly and children are most at risk during the process of dehydration. In addition, it is in the representatives of these two age categories that rapid elimination of electrolytes from the body with fluid. It is known that the percentage of water in the children's body is slightly higher than in adults. That is why metabolic processes (metabolism) in children occur more intensively. This means that children are at greater risk of dehydration and infectious diseases through vomiting and diarrhoea. Add to this the fact that children, in general, are far away are not always able to independently make decisions about the need to replenish fluids in the body, and you will understand why this age category is at risk for dehydration.

As for the elderly, they often have an increased need for fluid, expressed in incessant thirst. Unfortunately, our kidneys in old age are not able to work as efficiently as in younger years. This may be due to various neurological conditions., such as Alzheimer's disease or pre-stroke condition, which does not allow the elderly to adequately take care of their needs, one of which is the regular replenishment of fluid deficiency in the body. In addition, problems associated with urinary incontinence are possible in old age, which, in turn, forces older people to limit themselves to fluid intake.

When talking about risk groups, which includes people who are most at risk of developing dehydration, a separate category should be mentioned, which is not limited to any age limits. We are talking about athletes whose body also needs regular fluid replenishment. especially after intense training and competition.

MAIN CAUSES OF DEHYDRATION OF THE BODY

When talking about the causes of dehydration, then, first of all, they mean the most obvious and common causes, from which none of us is immune. First of all, it is about insufficient fluid intake during the day. Other common causes that cause rapid dehydration of the body are severe vomiting and diarrhea. The third common cause of dehydration is excessive sweating.

You need to know that every day fluid is naturally excreted from our body, the amount of which is not always the same. This amount may depend on the ambient temperature, humidity, on the state of our health, on our physical activity, and so on and so forth. The amount of fluid that scientists consider necessary for the daily consumption of an adult, as mentioned above, is approximately 2.5 liters per day. But this figure can change - increase or decrease - depending on the combination of the above factors. Be that as it may, every person should know that dehydration can be prevented by regular daily intake of sufficient fluid for the body.

SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATION

The most important and earliest symptom indicating the development of the process of dehydration of the body is a feeling of thirst. If adults are able to take care of themselves, feeling a strong thirst, then very young children cannot declare their condition. Young parents should keep in mind that the strong anxiety of babies is often explained precisely by the beginning processes of dehydration. However, severe dehydration, on the contrary, can lead to weakness and apathy, which can manifest itself even in the absence of a desire to drink.

In children, the symptoms of dehydration appear at an alarming rate. Literally in the very early stages of dehydration, children can dry out and even crack their lips; children may feel severe dryness in the mouth, demonstrate an excited state. Also, one of the signs of dehydration in children is blurred vision. The alarming symptoms of dehydration in infants can be a severe weakening of the pulse, rapid and weak breathing, and a slight bluish skin that becomes extremely sensitive to touch.

A very effective method for diagnosing dehydration in children is the following: gently pull back the skin of the child in the abdominal region and note how quickly its normal color is restored after you remove your finger. If everything is in order with the fluid content in the body, the skin will almost immediately acquire a natural shade. If this process took a relatively long time, then this may be a signal indicating the development of dehydration processes in the child's body.

Symptoms of severe dehydration in adults are more pronounced - the person feels very weak, extremely thirsty and may have an elevated body temperature, although the skin, at the same time, remains quite cool to the touch. As a result of a lack of electrolytes in the body (especially sodium and potassium), an adult may experience nausea and even muscle cramps. If you do not make up for the loss of fluid by the body in time, this will soon lead to a decrease in blood pressure. Such a sharp change in pressure caused by dehydration can harm the internal organs of a person, in particular the kidneys and brain.

HOW TO CURE DEHYDRATION

As you already understood, the easiest and most reliable way to cope with dehydration processes at a very early stage of their development is to consume additional amounts of water or other liquid. In most cases, mild dehydration can be dealt with quickly with the following simple solution.: dissolve a teaspoon of salt and eight teaspoons of sugar in a liter of boiled water and drink - it will immediately bring you back to normal! In such a case, experts recommend purchasing a special rehydration salt, which is sold in many pharmacies.

What to do if a person has lost consciousness and is not able to consume water orally, that is, to drink? In this case, the fluid in the body must be supplied intravenously. Intravenous rehydration is also a necessary measure for prolonged vomiting. In this case, along with the loss of electrolytes, the acid-base balance in the body is also disturbed, which must be restored as soon as possible. There are certain disease states of the body that also lead to dehydration. In this case, symptoms of dehydration cannot always be corrected by the oral route, and there is a need to use intravenous rehydration. In particular, we are talking about diabetes.

Returning to the conversation about athletes, it should be mentioned that for such people the daily intake of large amounts of fluid should have even more priority than food intake. At the same time, it is far from always possible to get by with ordinary water. That is why people who expose their body to regular and intense physical activity in the gym, experts strongly recommend paying attention to special solutions that are sold in pharmacies. The benefits of intermittent consumption of these solutions over regular water for athletes is that the solutions provide a balanced combination of carbohydrates and electrolytes, which are so important to replenish during vigorous training.

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR

As mentioned above, vomiting and diarrhea in the elderly and infants can very quickly cause dehydration in these two age groups. If a child or an elderly person suffers from dehydration, it is better, without postponing the decision indefinitely, to call a doctor. When it comes to an adult, it is necessary to decide whether to seek medical help or not after assessing the severity of the symptoms. When dehydrated, a person's skin becomes cold to the touch, they feel dizzy and disoriented in space, their lips crack and blood pressure drops, need to seek immediate medical attention. If this is not done in a timely manner, then dehydration of the body can cause much more serious health problems.

The best way to cure dehydration is to prevent the condition.

If the above information did not sound convincing enough to realize the importance of preventing dehydration, then you should know that:

-- A person loses about 1.2 to 1.5 liters of fluid per day through urination.

-- A person loses about one liter of fluid per day through sweating.

Also, some fluid comes out with saliva, tears, or during bowel movements. This means that the notorious 2.5 liters of fluid per day, the need for which is now so much argued in the media, after all, is extremely important for your body. Only in this way can you reliably protect your own body from the effects of dehydration. People who regularly suffer from vomiting and diarrhea (pregnant women and so on), as well as those who suffer from diabetes, can only be advised to make every effort to control all symptoms that can quickly lead to dehydration. .

For the normal functioning of our body, which is 70% water, it is necessary to constantly monitor its level of hydration. If there is not enough fluid in the body, then the water-salt balance will be disturbed and dehydration will occur. It can be manifested by a slight feeling of thirst, and in severe forms it can be fatal. Dehydration is especially dangerous in hot weather, when the liquid actively evaporates from the body. Our simple homemade recipes and helpful tips will help you protect yourself from dehydration and prevent unpleasant consequences.

Causes and symptoms of dehydration

Dehydration is a process in which the body loses more fluid than it receives. Every cell in the human body needs oxygen and water to function normally. No one is immune from dehydration, but children, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases are at risk.

The most common causes of dehydration are:

Great physical activity in the heat,
diarrhea,
vomit,
increased sweating,
frequent urination.
The symptoms of this disease vary depending on the severity of its manifestation.

Signs of mild to moderate dehydration:

Dry mouth
headache,
thirst,
rare urination,
dry skin,
fatigue,
muscle spasms,
dizziness,
constipation,
general weakness.

Symptoms of severe or chronic dehydration include:

strong thirst,
confusion,
sunken eyes,
dry skin with loss of elasticity,
virtually no urination
severe dry mouth
rapid breathing,
low Blood Pressure,
cardiopalmus,
fainting or loss of consciousness.

If not treated in time, dehydration can lead to a number of serious health complications. For severe dehydration, you should see a doctor immediately, for moderate dehydration, you can take preventive measures at home. Below we publish useful tips and homemade recipes for the treatment of this disease.

Drinking water regularly is the best preventive measure

The first and most important rule of thumb for preventing dehydration in hot weather is to increase your fluid intake. Doctors' advice for treating dehydration at its first symptoms also begins with recommendations to increase the water content in the body.

A person needs to drink enough water throughout the day, even if he does not feel thirsty. On average, a healthy man in a temperate climate should consume about three liters of water per day, and a woman about two liters of water per day.

In addition to ordinary water, it is useful to include more broths and soups in the amount of fluid consumed, as a measure to prevent dehydration. With their help, you can replenish the lost minerals and vitamins. They are also effective in the treatment of dehydration. To make the broth or soup even healthier, add zucchini, radishes or celery to it. Chicken and meat broths are considered the most nutritious. In the heat, treat yourself to popsicles that are easy to make yourself. To do this, just pour freshly squeezed juice into an ice tray and put it in the freezer to cool.

Dairy food for dehydration

In the forefront of dairy foods that are useful in the fight against dehydration, yogurt is one of the most effective remedies for vomiting and diarrhea. This product is a real "spring" of electrolytes. In addition, yogurt is easy to digest and soothes the stomach. Homemade recipes for dehydration often include yogurt dishes. On hot days, it is useful to consume it several times a day and preferably without sweet fillers. It is better to add low-calorie foods such as low-fat cottage cheese or regular boiled rice with a little salt to yogurt.

Buttermilk, or fat-free cream obtained from the production of butter, is another wonderful remedy for dehydration, recognized by the ancient teachings of Ayurveda. Buttermilk is rich in minerals that are lost in the body through excessive sweating. As a dehydration preventive measure, drink this dairy product several times a day, or drink a cup of kefir mixed with dry ginger instead.

Simple homemade recipes for dehydration

When the body is dehydrated, it is very important to quickly restore the lost fluid and minerals. There is one easy way to achieve this with a rehydration solution. You can cook it yourself according to a homemade recipe:

Add half a teaspoon of salt and six teaspoons of sugar to four glasses of water.
Stir the solution thoroughly until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
Drink the resulting solution several times a day until you fully recover from dehydration.
If you do not want to prepare the solution yourself, then you can purchase a similar remedy at a pharmacy.
Equally useful are homemade recipes using barley and water. Such solutions help to quickly return a dehydrated body to a normal state. Nutrients contained in barley replenish minerals lost during dehydration. Here is one of the simple recipes:

Bring water with barley to a boil.
Let the resulting solution cool and then strain it.
Add some honey and lemon juice.
Another easy way to restore a dehydrated body is lemon water. In addition to moisturizing, lemon juice fills the body with energy and gives a charge of vivacity. Making lemon water at home is easy:

For one glass of water, you need to take half a lemon.
Add a teaspoon of honey, half a teaspoon of ground black pepper and a pinch of salt.
Drink the resulting drink should be regularly for one month.

The role of fruits in the fight against dehydration

Many fruits contain a considerable amount of liquid, and, therefore, they can become good defenders of the body from dehydration. At the first symptoms of dehydration, try to eat more juicy vegetables and fruits. According to many studies, such foods hydrate the body twice as effectively as a glass of plain water.

Watery fruits and vegetables contain minerals, sugars, salts and work in a similar way to isotonic drinks that athletes drink. Fruits and vegetables that should be included in the diet of every person - watermelon, grapefruit, melon, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, grapes, papaya, zucchini, spinach and tomatoes. Eat them as a snack, make fruit or vegetable smoothies, add them to salads.

Bananas deserve special attention. It is an excellent fruit to treat dehydration, as the body also loses a lot of potassium along with fluid loss. And there is a lot of this trace element in bananas. In addition, this fruit will help restore the performance of tight muscles that do not function well with a lack of water in the body. It is useful to eat two bananas during the day or make smoothies and shakes from them.

Doctors advice to protect against dehydration:

Avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather.
Rest in a cool place.
Carry a bottle of water with you.
In the heat, do not drink soda, sugary drinks and coffee.
Don't drink alcohol.
Do not eat a lot of sweets and sugar.
If you are often in the heat, wear breathable clothing made from organic materials.
When dehydrated, eat juicy fruits and liquid foods.
If you become dehydrated while exercising, drink sports drinks that contain electrolytes.
Adhering to all these rules, you will always feel healthy, cheerful and full of energy!

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dehydration symptoms

What is dehydration?

In order for our body to function without failure, a certain balance of the level of salts and water in the body is necessary. When this balance is disturbed, dehydration occurs.

Causes of dehydration

Dehydration of the body occurs most often due to water starvation, in other words, insufficient intake of fluid into the body.

Another common cause of dehydration of the body is excessive excretion of fluid from the body, which occurs due to: severe vomiting, diarrhea, increased sweating, with uncontrolled intake of diuretics, with ah, from extensive burns, etc.

Symptoms of dehydration

The feeling of thirst is the first symptom of the onset of dehydration. Thirst appears already at 1-2% dehydration, which can also be accompanied by symptoms such as anxiety, headache and bad breath.

Important: color> pay attention to the color and amount of urine. If you feel like normal, but at the same time a little urine is released and it is dark yellow in color, this is a signal of incipient dehydration.

If measures are not taken in time and dehydration reaches 4-5%, a person feels: dry mouth and viscous saliva, dizziness, nausea, severe weakness. This condition is familiar to those who drink coffee or tea rather than water during the working day.

Dehydration by 6-8% changes the complexion, dark circles appear under the eyes, the mood becomes aggressive.

At 10% dehydration, cell death begins, a person develops confusion, weakness, fainting, insufficient skin elasticity (if the skin is squeezed or pinched, it slowly returns to its normal position).

With dehydration of more than 10%, death can occur.

Important: color> with severe poisoning with diarrhea and vomiting, dehydration can occur very quickly. In order to understand the level of dehydration of the patient - it must be weighed. 10% dehydration means that the patient has lost 10% of their normal weight.

Dehydration treatment

A person can live without food for 40 days, and without water only 10. This must be remembered and be very careful about your drinking regimen. After all, prevention is always cheaper than cure. Remember that it is necessary to replenish the supply of water in the body with clean drinking water. The fact is that many of our favorite drinks, on the contrary, accelerate dehydration, these include: coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, as well as carbonated drinks (due to the phosphoric acid and artificial colors they contain).

To make up for the lack of water in the body during water starvation, it is enough to simply observe a normal drinking regimen. For an adult, the norm is 1.5-2 liters of pure water per day. However, in extreme conditions - heat, diseases, excessive physical activity, etc., the amount of water you drink should be increased.

If dehydration occurs due to excessive removal of fluid from the body (diarrhea, vomiting, etc.), then the treatment is a little different. The main danger with this type of dehydration is that the body, along with the liquid, also loses the necessary mineral salts. Their deficiency can be replenished by slightly adding salt to the water that the patient drinks (about 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water). In this case, the following drink is also very useful: add 1 teaspoon of table salt and 8 teaspoons of granulated sugar to 1 liter of boiled water, you can also squeeze lemon or orange juice there. Cool, drink often and little by little.

If dehydration is more than 8%, an urgent need to call a doctor who will put a dropper or send the patient to a hospital to treat the disease that caused dehydration.

Summer heat is a severe test for the body, which often leads to dehydration. And this is fraught with more serious ailments. How to recognize it in the early stages? What to do at the first symptoms? What should be the diet for dehydration? Let's figure it out together.

Who is guilty

The most common cause of dehydration in summer is food poisoning with inevitable vomiting and diarrhea. Hard physical activity also causes profuse fluid loss. Overheating in the sun, violation of the drinking regime and frequent urination lead to the same result.

The first symptoms of dehydration are dry mouth, viscous saliva, high fever and nausea. They are accompanied by fatigue, drowsiness, poor appetite and unquenchable thirst. Why is dehydration dangerous? First of all, metabolic disorders. After all, water delivers vital elements to all organs. And with its lack, failures in the work of all systems begin, toxins are removed worse, cells are destroyed and immunity weakens.

Life-giving cocktails

The danger of dehydration is especially great for children and the elderly, as well as for diabetes, kidney and heart disease. In the early stages, it is easiest to restore water balance. To do this, you need to drink at least 2 liters of plain or mineral water without gas per day.

What should you drink with dehydration, when it has become serious? Special saline solutions that are in any pharmacy. However, they can be made at home. Dilute in a liter of boiled water ½ tsp. soda, 1 tsp. salt and 2-4 tbsp. l. Sahara. For another folk recipe, take 250 ml of orange juice, stir in it ½ tsp. salt, 1 tsp. soda and bring the volume to 1 liter with water. Take these drugs 200 ml in small sips 3 times a day.

Salvation Army

It is important to know not only what to drink when dehydrated, but also what to eat. And here ahead of the products of all - summer vegetables. For example, 85% consists of water, and its pulp is saturated with vitamins A, C, K, as well as potassium, magnesium, zinc and folic acid. Such a shock combination improves metabolism, nourishes the heart and normalizes sugar levels.

The cucumber contains even more invaluable moisture. But its main advantage is the abundance of fiber and special enzymes that stimulate digestion. In addition, cucumber protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation. That is why the most useful summer salads and cosmetic masks are obtained from it. When dehydrated, it is also useful to lean on spinach, celery, radishes, cabbage and tomatoes.

fruit healing

Given that the cause of dehydration is the lack of fluid and vitamins, you can make up for their loss with the help of fruits and berries. In this regard, the most useful, more than 90% consisting of water. In addition, it is rich in antioxidants that protect cells from destruction.

Any citrus fruit is an invaluable gift for the body with a lack of moisture. Their juicy flesh gushes with vitamins A, C and E, indispensable for good health. To get them in full, it is best to make a smoothie. Beat in a blender 150 g of pitted apricots, 200 ml of yogurt, 250 ml of orange juice and 1 tsp. vanilla sugar. And with dehydration, it is recommended to include apples, plums, kiwi and any berries in the diet.

Sour milk therapy

Fermented milk products will help to cure in the shortest possible time and completely avoid dehydration. The undisputed champion in this area is medium-fat kefir. It quickly restores the disturbed intestinal microflora and tones the rest of the digestive organs. It has been proven that kefir fights well with fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps and excessive sweating.

Not inferior to him in the beneficial properties of Greek yogurt. Lactic acid bacteria are a powerful nourishment for a failed digestive system and a weakened immune system. A balanced combination of proteins and carbohydrates not only saturates the body with energy, but also normalizes metabolic processes. Ripe strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries will help enhance their action.

With the world on a string

There are several other foods that are helpful in preventing dehydration. First of all, it is beans with its very successful set of elements. Iron improves the flow of oxygen to cells, zinc improves carbohydrate metabolism, sulfur prevents intestinal infections.

Being a generous source of slow-acting carbohydrates, buckwheat does a great job of reducing energy breakdown. Its active substances stimulate hematopoiesis and increase the elasticity of blood vessels. In addition, the body absorbs buckwheat easily, thereby obtaining a huge supply of vitamins.

There are reasons to include eggs in the treatment menu, which improve the functioning of the liver and bile ducts. The abundance of iron in conjunction with vitamin E helps to quickly restore strength. In addition, eggs protect the skin from UV rays, keeping it youthful.

Remember, the best treatment for dehydration is prevention. Drink plenty of fluids, eat right, and be less likely to be under the scorching sun without protection. And if the anxiety symptoms cannot be overcome, contact your doctor immediately.

The most common causes of dehydration are:

great physical activity in the heat,
diarrhea,
vomit,
increased sweating,
frequent urination.

The symptoms of this disease vary depending on the severity of its manifestation. Signs of mild to moderate dehydration:

dry mouth
headache,
thirst,
rare urination,
dry skin,
fatigue,
muscle spasms,
dizziness,
constipation,
general weakness.

Symptoms of severe or chronic dehydration include:

intense thirst,
confusion,
sunken eyes,
dry skin with loss of elasticity,
virtually no urination
severe dry mouth
rapid breathing,
low Blood Pressure,
cardiopalmus,
fainting or loss of consciousness.

Add half a teaspoon of salt and six teaspoons of sugar to four glasses of water.
Stir the solution thoroughly until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
Drink the resulting solution several times a day until you fully recover from dehydration.
If you do not want to prepare the solution yourself, then you can purchase a similar remedy at a pharmacy.

Equally useful are homemade recipes using barley and water. Such solutions help to quickly return a dehydrated body to a normal state. Nutrients contained in barley replenish minerals lost during dehydration. Here is one of the simple recipes:

Bring water with barley to a boil.
Let the resulting solution cool and then strain it.
Add some honey and lemon juice.

Another easy way to restore a dehydrated body is lemon water. In addition to moisturizing, lemon juice fills the body with energy and gives a charge of vivacity. Making lemon water at home is easy:

For one glass of water, you need to take half a lemon.
Add a teaspoon of honey, half a teaspoon of ground black pepper and a pinch of salt.
Drink the resulting drink should be regularly for one month.

Doctors advice to protect against dehydration:

Avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather.
Rest in a cool place.
Carry a bottle of water with you.
In the heat, do not drink soda, sugary drinks and coffee.
Don't drink alcohol.
Do not eat a lot of sweets and sugar.
If you are often in the heat, wear breathable clothing made from organic materials.
When dehydrated, eat juicy fruits and liquid foods.
If you become dehydrated while exercising, drink sports drinks that contain electrolytes.

Adhering to all these rules, you will always feel healthy, cheerful and full of energy!