Dehydration

Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluid than what it takes in. Water comprises 2/3 of the body and is very essential to keep healthy digestion, flush out toxins, keep the skin moisture and lubricate the joints and eyes.

We maintain the water levels in the body by drinking enough water which we will also release eventually through urination or sweating. In places with a hot climate, more water is needed by the body as it sweats a lot. 

When we don’t drink enough water, it affects the natural balance of the body. There are several symptoms of dehydration but the first and most common one is being thirsty. It signals the body that it needs water to be hydrated. Dehydration may also come in the form of dry mouth, lack of energy and passing dark-coloured urine instead of a clear one and less frequently than normal. It may possibly lead to lightheadedness, tiredness, and headache when not supplied with water immediately. 

Dehydration, however, doesn’t only involve water deficiency. It can also mean a lack of essential minerals like salt and sugar. The severity of this condition depends on how much water is lost. This may cause you to feel unwell and low energy. 

The lost water in the body should be replaced, otherwise, it can cause a condition called dehydration wherein there is not enough water that keeps the body healthy.  The loss of water in the body can be caused by several factors including sweating in hot places or sweating from doing something active or an exercise. If not replaced quickly, it will make you mildly dehydrated. 

Dehydration is a common sickness when travelling because of another ailment, traveller’s diarrhoea. When you defecate or vomit more than usual, you lose the water and minerals inside your body. When you are vomiting, you cannot also drink enough water because you will just throw it out. When you have an illness, it is possible that you also have a fever, which makes sweat more. 

Another common cause of dehydration is too much intake of alcohol. When you consume a lot of alcohol, you tend to pee a lot since it is a diuretic. It also prevents the kidney from absorbing water. The symptoms of a hangover such as a headache and dry mouth are usually caused by dehydration. 

The first thing to do when you are dehydrated is to drink plenty of water. Drinking water is the most effective but you can also try a diluted squash or any fruit juice. Do not drink alcohol, caffeine, or fizzy drinks. They will just make your condition worse. If you are vomiting, try to drink in small sips rather than drinking plenty in one go. 

If your dehydration is moderate, you may need to take rehydration solutions to replenish not only the water but also the minerals lost. True Medical offers several rehydration solutions that can help restore the minerals such as salt and sugar. This is also more effective than by drinking water alone. 

If these rehydration attempts still do not work, then you might be experiencing severe dehydration which needs to be brought immediately to the nearest hospital. An option would be to get fluids intravenously of you are unable to take liquid by mouth.