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| Dehydration, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Definition of Dehydration
Dehydration is a condition when more body fluids are lost than consumed. This condition can cause the body to not function normally.
The body has a water content of 55–80 percent of the total body weight. Water in the body plays a role in helping the digestive system work, removing dirt and toxins from the body, maintaining body temperature, and lubricating joints.
Dehydration is often thought of as ordinary thirst. In fact, if not treated properly, dehydration can develop into more serious conditions, such as hypovolemia. In hypovolemia, water in the bloodstream is pulled out by body tissues in an effort to meet fluid needs. If not treated immediately, this condition can cause shock and be life-threatening.
Symptoms and Causes of Dehydration
Some of the early signs of dehydration include thirst, dry mouth and skin, infrequent urination, and darker, stronger-smelling urine. While early symptoms of dehydration in infants include few or no tears when crying, dry mouth, and the diaper remains dry after a few hours.
One of the conditions that are at risk of causing dehydration is diarrhea. In addition, dehydration can also occur when a person vomits, urinates excessively due to suffering from an illness, or sweats excessively from exercising in hot weather.
Dehydration Treatment and Prevention
Mild dehydration can be overcome by drinking lots of water, be it water, mineral water, diluted fruit juices, or infused water. Patients can also eat a variety of food choices to overcome dehydration. Meanwhile, in patients with severe dehydration, treatment should be given in the hospital.
Dehydration can be prevented by maintaining fluid intake, especially if you experience vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating, either after strenuous activity or due to hot weather.
Causes of Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body lacks fluid intake, or when you lose more fluid than you take in. Body fluids can be wasted through urine, vomiting, diarrhea, and sweat. In addition, the weather, physical activity, and food, greatly affect the severity of dehydration.
Dehydration can happen to anyone. However, there are several groups of people who are more prone to dehydration, namely:
1. Babies and children
Babies and children are more prone to dehydration because their small bodies are more sensitive to changes in water and mineral levels. This group is also prone to diarrhea.
2. Elderly people
Older people become less attentive to drinking water and are thirsty. This is especially true for older people with dementia.
3. Athlete
Athletes and anyone else who plays sports lose a lot of body fluids as they sweat. The longer you exercise, the harder it is to stay hydrated. The groups of athletes most at risk for dehydration are runners, cyclists, and soccer players.
4. People who exercise in hot and humid places
When the air is humid, sweat cannot evaporate and cool the body as it normally would. As a result, body temperature will increase so that the body needs more fluids.
5. People who have diarrhea or vomiting
Diarrhea and vomiting can be caused by various diseases. This condition can cause body fluids to be lost quite a lot in a short time.
6. Fever sufferers
In general, the higher a person's body temperature, the higher the risk of becoming dehydrated. When you have a fever, your body will try to maintain your body temperature by sweating. However, excessive sweating can actually lead to dehydration.
7. People who are at a certain height
When you are at a certain height, your body tries to adapt to urinating more and breathing faster. This condition is known as altitude sickness. If the body fluids that come out are not replaced quickly, this disease can cause the sufferer to become dehydrated.
8. Pregnant and lactating women
Enlargement of the uterus in pregnancy will put pressure on the bladder so that pregnant women will urinate more often. Breastfeeding mothers also need lots of fluids for smooth breast milk. If fluid intake under these conditions is not met, dehydration can occur.
9. Patients with chronic diseases (long term)
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to dehydration. This is because the body will produce a lot of urine to get rid of excess sugar through urine.
In addition to diabetes, other chronic diseases that are at risk of causing dehydration are kidney failure, diabetes insipidus, and heart disease.
10. Patients with certain diseases
Dehydration can occur in people who are addicted to alcohol. This is because alcohol is a diuretic, making people who drink it urinate more often.
In addition to alcoholism, dehydration is at risk for sufferers of anorexia nervosa, cystic fibrosis, extensive burns, and heat stroke.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Two early signs of dehydration are thirst and dark yellow urine. This symptom is an attempt by the body to increase fluid intake, and to reduce fluid removal from the body.
Depending on how much the body loses fluids, dehydration can be divided into two levels, namely mild-moderate, and severe.
Mild–Moderate Dehydration
In the mild-to-moderate stage of dehydration, symptoms may include:
- Thirsty
- Urine is more concentrated or dark in color
- Decreased number and frequency of urination
- Dry and sticky mouth
- Easily sleepy
- Tired easily
- Dizzy
- Difficult to concentrate
- Headache
- Constipation
- Muscle cramp
- Fever
Severe Dehydration
Severe dehydration is considered a medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately. Symptoms that can appear due to severe dehydration include:
- Very thirsty
- Heart beat
- Low blood pressure
- Quick breath
- Eyes look sunken
- Dry and inelastic skin
- Dark yellow urine or no urination at all
- Great headache
- Often sleepy
- Easily angry and looks dazed
- Seizure
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
When to go to the doctor
Dehydration can be treated independently and usually does not require medical attention. However, you can consult a doctor if you are dehydrated accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Vomit
- Diarrhea for more than 24 hours continuously
- Bloody or solid black stools
- Easily offended
- Disorientation or unusually heavy sleepiness
Dehydration that occurs in infants and children is an emergency condition that must be treated immediately. Therefore, watch out for signs of dehydration in infants or children, such as:
- Looks sleepy
- Very thirsty or not even strong enough to suckle
- Quick breath
- Tears don't come out when you cry
- Eyes look sunken in
- The crown looks sunken
- Dry and sticky mouth
- Dark urine or diaper stays dry for 6–8 hours
- Cold hands and feet
Dehydration Diagnosis
To diagnose dehydration, the doctor will start by asking the patient's symptoms and medical history. Next, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination, including measuring the patient's blood pressure.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will also perform several supporting tests, such as:
- blood test
Blood tests are performed by taking a sample of the patient's blood to be studied in the laboratory. The goal is to check electrolyte levels (potassium and sodium), as well as to check the patient's kidney function
- urine test
In a urine test, the doctor will examine the patient's urine sample to detect signs of dehydration and the cause.
Dehydration Treatment
Dehydration treatment aims to replace lost body fluids and minerals. The trick is to drink lots of water or diluted fruit juices. In addition, sufferers can also consume sugary drinks to help replace lost sugar, as well as salty snacks to replace salt or sodium.
When you are dehydrated, your body loses sugar, salt, and fluids. Taking ORS can also help restore the balance of these substances in the body. However, still do consult with a doctor before taking ORS.
If dehydration is caused by diarrhea, avoid consuming fruit juices, as well as caffeinated or fizzy drinks. Instead, meet the needs of fluids and electrolytes by consuming isotonic drinks or electrolyte drinks.
Depending on the patient's age and severity, the following are methods for dealing with dehydration:
Treating dehydration in babies
Breastfeeding mothers are advised to continue to give breast milk in smaller quantities but often, when the baby has diarrhea, vomiting, or fever. Breastfeeding can also be accompanied by ORS, to replace lost fluids.
If your baby is formula-fed, switch to lactose-free formula until the diarrhea has completely stopped. Lactose is difficult to digest in infants who have diarrhea, and even tends to worsen the condition of the diarrhea.
Immediately consult a doctor if the baby shows signs of dehydration. That way, the doctor can give the right treatment advice.
Treating dehydration in children
Handling dehydration in children is not enough by giving water alone. This is because excessive water can actually make the mineral levels in the child's body decrease, so the risk of worsening his body condition.
Therefore, give ORS solution to children who are dehydrated, especially those who experience vomiting or diarrhea.
Treating dehydration in athletes
To treat dehydration due to exercise, energy drinks that contain electrolytes and foods that contain carbohydrates are the best choices. Avoid all types of fizzy, alcoholic, and caffeinated drinks.
Keep in mind, athletes are also at risk of developing hyponatremia if they drink too much mineral water in a short time.
Treat severe dehydration
Children and adults who are severely dehydrated should be immediately taken to the hospital to be treated by a doctor, especially if the patient has difficulty eating and drinking or is in a coma. One of the actions that will be taken by the doctor is to give fluids and drugs through an IV or parenterally.
Complications of Dehydration
Dehydration that is not treated properly can lead to the following complications:
- Disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract
Dehydration can cause urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder stones, and even acute kidney failure. This condition can worsen, especially if dehydration occurs several times.
- Hyperthermia
Doing strenuous physical activity without maintaining body fluid intake can cause dehydration and trigger a drastic increase in body temperature (hyperthermia). This condition can trigger heatstroke.
- Seizure
Disorders of electrolyte balance in the body, especially sodium and potassium, can cause sufferers to experience seizures.
- Hypovolemic shock
Hypovolemic shock is the most serious and potentially life-threatening complication of dehydration.
Dehydration Prevention
To avoid dehydration, preventive steps that can be taken are adequate fluid intake. Apart from drinking water, you can also drink sparkling water or infused water.
Other measures that can be taken to prevent dehydration include:
- Meet fluid needs by drinking 8 glasses or 2 liters of mineral water per day for adults.
- Consume foods that are high in water content, such as fruits and vegetables.
- Make sure to drink enough when exercising, especially when exercising in hot weather.
- Give fluid intake to children or people who are sick, especially if they have fever, diarrhea, or vomiting.
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Limit consumption of caffeinated drinks.
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