Dehydration: Unraveling the Hidden Dangers

  Welcome to the exploration of dehydration, a condition often underestimated in its significance. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the causes, symptoms, and consequences of dehydration, shedding light on its effects on various age groups and dispelling common myths surrounding hydration.

dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the body expels more fluids than it absorbs, disturbing the delicate balance necessary for optimal bodily functions. The crucial role of water, often underestimated, is essential for maintaining good health.

causes of dehydration

diarrhea (passing loose watery stool three or more motions in a day) This can be due to infection, overeating, eating food not cooked well, or eating with a dirty container.

• vomiting everything (profuse vomiting) due to irritation of the stomach, nausea etc

• high fever 

• excessive sweating due to heavy exercises, or the weather, walking for long under the hot sun

• burns can also cause dehydration depending on the surface area

• over dose of drugs especially the drugs that make you urinate a lot .drug like frusamide (lasix).spironolactone

• undiagnosed conditions like diabetes and any condition that makes you take little water like military training and other training

• some surgical condition like intestinal obstruction, peritonitis

• Inadequate Fluid Intake

  One of the primary causes is a failure to consume an adequate amount of fluids. Discover the recommended daily water intake and the consequences of falling short.

signs and symptoms of dehydration 

in children 

dehydrated baby

• sunken fontanel 

• sunken eyes

• thirsty and agar to drink when given the water with the cup.

• skin pinch goes back slowly or very slowly(skin targer)

• dry mouth and dry lip

• very fast breathing and tachycardia

• irritable, flappy or unconscious, or restless

• history of profuse vomiting(vomiting everything)

• passing loose watery stool three or more motions in a day

in adult 

• thirsty

• dry mouth, dry throat

• tiredness someone will feel tired

• body weakness

• vomiting profusely 

• passing loose watery stool for 3 or more motions in a day

• fever

• low blood pressure

• faster breathing

• passing little urine with a strong smell

how to assess for dehydration/assessment of dehydration

in assessment for dehydration, we look at very many things this helps us categorise dehydration in to three. that is to say

1. no dehydration if the patient has no signs of dehydration
2. some dehydration if the patient has some signs and symptoms of dehydration
3. severe dehydration if the patient has  severe signs and symptoms of dehydration

so these are the signs and symptoms we use in assessment for dehydration

conditions

during the assessment for dehydration, we look at the condition of the patient 

1. is the patient well alert
2. is the person restless or irritable
3. is the person unconscious or lethargic

eyes

look at the eyes of the baby  

1. is eyes appear to be normal with no signs of dehydration
2. is the eye are sunken
3. is the eyes very sunken and dry

present of tears from the eyes

ask the mother if the baby cries if 

1. is there a tear coming from the baby's eyes
2. it absent, for both some and severe dehydration there will be no tear coming

mouth and gouge

is it 

1. moist
2. dry 
3. very dry

thirsty

this one you are going to offer a cup of drinking water to the persion and observe the following

1. drinking normally
2. eagar to drink and asking for more(very thirsty )
3. drinks poorly or not able to drink aor eat

skin targer(skin pinch)

pin the skin and release your hand and observe for the time it take for the skin to go back is it

1.  going back very qickly/going back very first
2. goes back slowly
3. goes back very slowly

question to ask the mother

• is there blood in the stool
• how long has the persion been passing loose stool(diarrheating)
• history of fever /has the bay been having fever before
• then assess for malnutrition

management of dehydration

in the management of dehydration, you need to first assess for dehydration and categorise in to

no dehydration

some dehydration

severe dehydration

and the management depends on the above-finding 

They manage or treat dehydration with a plan that is Plans A,plan b, and plan c

incinclusion

In summary, dehydration represents a widespread yet frequently underestimated health issue. Through a comprehensive grasp of its causes, early identification of warning signs, and the adoption of preventive measures, we can protect our well-being and foster enduring health.

Disclaimer: this blog pote and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor