Have you ever had a feeling that your legs will give out or your mouth is devoid of any saliva? You are alone, dehydration is a common condition, especially in the extreme climate. The unquenchable thirst for fluids is unmatched and can lead to serious health conditions. As our body is made up of 75% of fluids, it is necessary to maintain the balance of water intake and output.
In this blog, we are going to unveil the silent threats of Dehydration, its symptoms, and how it is caused. We will also cover the prevention tips for dehydration. So, if you are someone who feels like you are running low on water, or live under extreme climatic conditions, then this blog is for you.
Dehydration: An Overview
Dehydration is caused when the amount of fluids flowing outside of the body is more than the fluids entering the body. Meaning you are drinking less water than what is required for the body. When your body loses water in the form of urination, or sweating, you need to make up for the lost fluids. Failing to do that often makes your body weak and prone to diseases.
With the change in climatic conditions, it is more and more important to keep a check on your fluids and diet. Your body requires blood and oxygen to be distributed evenly throughout the body, but with a lack of water in the body, you feel weak, and devoid of energy.
Water helps increase blood circulation in the body and promote overall well-being. Athletes, senior adults, and individuals living in higher altitudes are at greater risk of dehydration.
Symptoms Of Dehydration
When a baby is dehydrated, the first sign of it would be sunken fontanel or the soft spot on top of the head. The diapers are dry for more than 3 hours, or the baby is in an irritable mood or has no tears while crying out loud. The symptoms of dehydration in adults include:
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling lethargy
- Constipation
- Frequent feeling of fainting
- Your mouth feels dry from the inside
- Feeling feverish
- Your urine is dark in color
- Unconsciousness
- Your skin starts to breakout
- Low blood pressure
- Your energy levels are down
- Experiencing frequent and painful headaches
- Increased heartbeat
- Breathing restlessly
- Dark circles covering your eyes
Causes Of Dehydration
The simple cause of dehydration is a lack of fluids in your body, but there are other factors as well which can lead to dehydration.
1. Diarrhea
When your body is suffering from food poisoning, your body reacts by excreting excessive fluids from the body. This can lead to dehydration and also affect your gut health. There are signs of feeling weak or fainting when an individual is suffering from diarrhea.
2. Vomiting
Many individuals have motion sickness, or certain phobias, which can lead to vomiting at the trigger points. For example, if you have a fear of heights, and you decide to go on a hike to overcome the fear. You might end up vomiting when you see that you are at a great height. This vomiting can also lead to loss of fluids which causes dehydration.
3. Excessive Sweating
Athletes or gym enthusiasts who spend hours in the gym, building their muscles also sweat a lot. The heat that the body generates from an intense workout session can make you feel dizzy and dehydrated. To avoid this situation, try to take a few sips of water in between the workout routine.
Hot climates also make people sweat excessively and cause dehydration. The problem with harsh weather is that your body will take a lot of time to adjust to it. So residents of extreme climatic conditions often suffer from dehydration.
4. Fever
The body’s temperature also plays a major role in causing dehydration. When your body temperature is high, you tend to lose fluids through your skin, to lower the temperature. It can also have signs of dizziness, vomiting, and feeling weak when you have a high temperature.
5. Stress
This is a common factor for dehydration, as people tend to lose time without having proper meals or drinks. Factors of stress gradually lead to dehydration and other mental illnesses. If your body is not responding correctly to its primary function, then there is an error.
6. Diabetes
Individuals living with diabetes tend to keep a piece of chocolate and a water bottle handy all the time. High levels of blood sugar can cause frequent urination which will lead to loss of fluids from the body. This frequent urination can also be caused of:
- Drinking excessive alcohol
- Medications like Antihistamines, diuretics, or antipsychotics
- Increased blood pressure
These factors can also make you pee frequently, which ultimately leads to dehydration.
Prevention Tips For Dehydration
There are various tips for preventing the symptoms of dehydration. They are:
- Drinking plenty of fluids during harsh weather conditions
- Keep your antioxidant levels high with fruits and vegetables
- If you are exercising, then keep a water bottle handy and drink a few sips in regular intervals
- Refrain from over-exercising your muscles
- Have the juice of your preferred fruit every day
- Make your own sugar solution, to avoid any signs of dehydration
- Avoid drinking excessive alcohol
- Limit your caffeine intake
- Stay away from pre-packed juice boxes
- Switch to freshly pressed juice
- Eat balanced diet
- Seek a cool place when you feel lightheaded
- Place a cool towel on your forehead while lying down
Conclusion
Dehydration is a common cause of worsening health conditions. Your body needs a proper amount of fluids for it to work in harmony. It also leads to a drop in blood pressure and sugar levels, which then results in unconsciousness or feeling lightheaded. You should consult with your doctor if you experience dehydration frequently.
With proper care and plenty of fluids, you are all set to face the calamities of harsh weather. You can also invest in some cooling devices when living in a hot climate. Always keep water or juice handy when you feel dehydrated.
References
- Hooper L, Abdelhamid A, Attreed NJ, Campbell WW, Channell AM, Chassagne P, Culp KR, Fletcher SJ, Fortes MB, Fuller N, Gaspar PM, Gilbert DJ, Heathcote AC, Kafri MW, Kajii F, Lindner G, Mack GW, Mentes JC, Merlani P, Needham RA, Olde Rikkert MG, Perren A, Powers J, Ranson SC, Ritz P, Rowat AM, Sjöstrand F, Smith AC, Stookey JJ, Stotts NA, Thomas DR, Vivanti A, Wakefield BJ, Waldréus N, Walsh NP, Ward S, Potter JF, Hunter P. Clinical symptoms, signs and tests for identification of impending and current water-loss dehydration in older people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Apr 30;2015(4):CD009647. [PMC free article]
- Weinberg AD, Minaker KL. Dehydration. Evaluation and management in older adults. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association. JAMA. 1995 Nov 15;274(19):1552-6. [PubMed]
