Prevention and Treatment for Dehydration

During the late summer months, or "the dog days of summer," the temperatures can soar into the upper 90's, with heat indexes of over 100 in many parts of the country, you can't be too careful in taking the proper precautions to prevent your body from dehydrating. Dehydration can happen quickly without proper precautions, causing drastic effects to your body.

What Happens to Your Body During Dehydration

Dehydration affects the whole body's metabolism and it cannot properly function. Since a body is made up of approximately 70 percent water, losing large amounts of fluids in the body, very quickly, can have drastic results. One of the first symptoms of dehydration is a dry mouth and sticky saliva. Tear and urine production slow down and a person will become groggy and lethargic, easily irritated, and may experience muscle cramps. Blood pressure and pulse levels can fall dangerously low during dehydration. Not only is your body losing water, it is losing critical nutrients such as calcium that the body requires to function properly.

Dehydration is most dangerous for small children because a greater percentage of their body is made up of water. They have a higher metabolism rate than adults and lose water at a quicker rate.

Dehydration Treatment

The best treatment for dehydration is prevention. You should be consuming 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water daily. This amount should increase if you will be exercising or working in the heat. The more you sweat the more water your body loses. If you are not properly hydrated, your body will lose fluids at a dangerous rate and you will become dehydrated.

If you are someone you know, show the signs of dehydration you should follow these steps immediately:

(1) Stop all activity and rest.

(2) Get out of direct sunlight. Go to a shaded and cool area.

(3) Elevate the feet and remove extra layers of clothing.

(4) Drink at least 2 quarts of cool liquids over the next two to four hours.

(5) If you become too hot, you should refrain from any heavy activities for the next 24 hours.

See a doctor immediately if the person loses consciousness, the person becomes dizzy or lightheaded or if any of the other symptoms worsen. If the person has lost consciousness, he may have suffered sunstroke. Immediate medical attention is required after a heat or sunstroke as brain damage or even death can occur.

Sources:

Dehydration - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Dehydration

Kid's Health.org - Dehydration

Dehydration symptoms= Sickness. Chronic Dehydration,Treatment, Hydration

Heatstroke/Sunstroke | Causes, Symptoms, Treatment | PDRHealth