Know
when you are Dehydrated
By: Michael Blume, MD, CCFA & IANY
The human body is composed of more than 50% water. Drinking
adequate amounts of water is essential for maintaining adequate
blood volume and its flow to such vital organs as the brain and the
kidneys. Also, it is important for maintaining optimal function in
the cells of the body. Dehydration can be defined as a significant
decrease in the total water content of the body. It occurs when the
rate of water intake (mostly by mouth) is lower than the rate of
losing water from your body (urine, skin, lungs, gastrointestinal
tract). When you lose a significant quantity of water, you begin to
develop symptoms and signs of dehydration. Some of these are
nonspecific, such as dizziness upon sitting or standing up from a
lying position. Why should you be worried about becoming dehydrated?
The major reason is that it is important to avoid the complications
of dehydration. When you become dehydrated, the volume of
circulating blood decreases, and this in turn decreases the flow of
blood to your vital organs. Not only is the blood flow a major
problem, but as you become dehydrated, you lose water and two
minerals (potassium and sodium), which are essential for optimal
functioning of the body. If dehydration is mild, you might try to
rehydrate yourself by taking Gatorade or a similar drink slowly. In
addition to water, Gatorade contains important electrolytes (sodium
and potassium) that the body loses through vomiting or diarrhea.
When must you seek medical attention for dehydration? All situations
which indicate concern about maintaining adequate hydration are
significant. These include, but are not limited to, profuse
diarrhea, protracted vomiting (unable to keep down liquids) and a
very high fever. Obviously, if you develop any of the signs of
dehydration you should be concerned. Urgent attention to the
problems should involve not only treating the underlying causes, but
replacing the liquid and electrolyte losses with intravenous
liquids, if adequate replacement by mouth is not feasible. While
there are no clear-cut guidelines as to when you should seek medical
attention, if any of the above concerns exist, the best advice is to
check with your doctor before complications develop.
Return to Contents
|
|
