Dehydration, be it severe or mild, has been linked to several diseases. Know more on how this is a contributing factor in many diseases….
Being well hydrated is certainly one of the most important factors for a healthy body. In fact, for proper physical and mental health, drinking plenty of water is a prerequisite. Even mild dehydration leads to exhaustion and poor fluid balance in the body and it is associated with several health problems.
Symptoms
The signs of mild dehydration are subtle and it is generally not easy for the person to figure it out if he or she is suffering from it. People who usually don’t drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, on a daily basis, may also confuse the signs with other common infections. In adults, when the dehydrated body begins to show its effects, it becomes certain that lack of fluid intake has triggered the complication.
Generally, mild dehydration is said to occur when there is a 2% loss of the total body fluids. In case, the requirement for water becomes dire there can be a fast advancement in the deterioration of the individual’s general health. Some of the most common signs (but not restricted to just these) related to this medical condition include, increased thirst, loss of appetite and skin problems like dry skin etc,. A dehydrated skin looks dry, wrinkled and itchy. The urine color can also hint towards the same possibility. The urine output will be less than normal and its color will be usually dark yellow. Severe headaches, muscle cramps, weakness, fatigue, dry lips/mouth and mood swings are several other signs to confirm the case of dehydration.
Children must be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids. Generally, they may not ask for water or other fluids, unless they’re very thirsty. It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that the children are able to get the amount of fluid required for a healthy body. Mild dehydration in children shows signs of crankiness, headaches, joint pain and discomfort. In case, children complain of thirst frequently, it’s a sign of dessication. In children, even mild water loss can lead to severe weakness or fatigue and so there must be no negligence from the parent’s side. The child may also complain of extreme tiredness and may remain lethargic. Most of all these signs occur when water is lost due to an upset stomach or several other digestive health problems. Similarly, problems of water retention or edema may also occur in individuals suffering from dehydration as the body will try to store the available water.
It has to be understood that these may not be the only symptoms of dehydration. The symptoms may vary for every person as every individual and his medical history is different. Similarly, age plays a vital part in manifestation of all signs of a disease. The occurrence and intensity of symptoms in children and adults can often vary owing to the difference in the disease fighting ability of their immune systems.
Mild Dehydration Treatment
To treat mild dehydration, you’ve got to rehydrate yourself. The body loses all electrolytes and hence, crucial ions like sodium and potassium, that are essential for body growth and development, are reduced in the body. To replenish these ions along with water, you have to start taking lots of fruit drinks, sports drinks and 2 – 3 liters of water per day in small sips, frequently. Light meals and plenty of fluids, like health drinks can be given to the person for a few days. If symptoms especially some physical discomfort persist, seeking medical attention immediately is the safest option.
The age-old adage, ‘prevention is better than cure’, certainly comes into mind when we think of preventive measures for mild dehydration. For a healthy adult, it’s necessary to drink nearly 8 glasses of water and that equals to 2 – 3 liters of water per day. Nonetheless, every individual’s water requirement may not be the same due to their body constitution being different. Everybody, no matter of what age, must drink sufficient amount of water daily so that dehydration and other problems related to it can be kept at bay.
