Posted on February 27, 2009 - by admin

Dehydration and How It Affects You

It’s a perfect day at the beach. The sun is up and scorching, the waters cool, and the babes even hotter. You take off your shirt to show off that abs you’ve worked hard for. You wear your sunglasses and walk out on the sand. A few moments of strolling like the beach god you are when suddenly you feel dizzy and lightheaded. You stop and scan the place for some shade. You experience a mild headache and your mouth begins to dry and become sticky. You are suffering from dehydration.

Dehydration happens when the body loses fluids faster than it is replaced. It happens over time. Routine loss of fluids occurs when the body cools itself through sweat, through urination or bowel movement. More common causes include exposure to hot surroundings, intense physical activities, fasting, rapid loss of weight, and lacrimation or excessive production of tears when crying. Dehydration accompanies certain illnesses and injuries that directly or indirectly result in loss of fluids. Diarrhea, vomiting, diabetes, burns, fever, and cholera are some of the medical conditions associated with fluid loss.

Muscle cramps, reduced urine levels, rise in body temperature, exhaustion, low blood pressure, and an increase in heart rates are signs that one is already dehydrated. Unattended, it can lead to health complications. Dimmed eyesight, flushing, failure of organs, coma, sleepiness, and even death are observed in severe cases. People over 50 years old are most susceptible because of fading sensations of thirst. Children and old people are most prone to dehydration and its effects.

Thirst is the initial response of the body when it is dehydrated. Halting the loss of fluids and replacing them by drinking clear liquids is the preferred treatment. Water is recommended over flavored drinks, sodas, and electrolyte-formulated fluids. Slowly drink minimal amounts of water over a period to properly replace and distribute the loss fluids. The treatment of the primary illness causing the loss of body fluids can control dehydration in medical cases.