In general dehydration is the loss of water from any object or it is the removal of water by any physical or chemical means. Physiologically, dehydration is defined as the deficiency of water molecules when compared to other dissolved solutes. Reduced fluid level in the body is the main cause of Dehydration.

Medical Causes of dehydration

Number of diseases causes Dehydration in humans.

External or stress-related causes of dehydration are

• Untreated diarrhea is the main cause of dehydration.
• Exposure to dry air for a long period.
• Prolonged physical activity in hot or humid condition, without adequate intake of water.
• Desert conditions increases sweat and water expulsion from the body, causes mild dehydration.
• Hyperthermia, Increased body temperature also causes dehydration.
• Severe Vomiting causes loss of fluids and dehydration.
• Burns leads to sever dehydration with excess fluid loss from the body and may cause shock and even death.
• Lacrimation for prolonged time leads to loss fluids and causes dehydration.
• Use of Methamphetamine, Amphetamine and other stimulants.
• Infectious diseases such as
• Cholera
• Gastroenteritis
• Shigellosis
• Yellow fever also causes Dehydration.

Malnutrition and Dehydration

• Electrolyte disturbance cause a major imbalance in fluid level and causes Dehydration.
• Hypernatremia : Increased level of sodium ions in the body (also caused by dehydration)
• Hyponatremia or decreased levels of sodium ions in body, especially from restricted salt diets and
• Fasting for long time causes Dehydration.
• Sudden rapid weight loss may reflect progressive depletion of fluid volume,
• Patient refusal of food and fluids causes Dehydration.
• Severe hyperglycemia, especially in Diabetes mellitus also causes dehydration in diabetic patients with deficient nutrients intake.

Symptoms and prognosis of Dehydration

Dehydration symptoms generally become noticeable after 2% of one’s normal water volume has been lost. Initially, the person experiences thirst and discomfort along with loss of appetite and dryness of skin. These symptoms may be followed by constipation. Athletes may suffer a loss of performance of up to 30% and experience flushing, low endurance, rapid heart rates, elevated body temperatures and rapid onset of fatigue due  fluid loss from the body.

Symptoms of mild dehydration include thirst, decreased urine volume, abnormally dark yellow urine, unexplained tiredness, irritability, lack of tears when crying, headache, dry mouth, dizziness when standing due to orthostatic hypotension and in some cases insomnia is also a symptom of mild dehydration.

In moderate to severe dehydration, there may be no urine output at all. Other symptoms in these individuals include lethargy or extreme sleepiness, seizures, sunken fontanel in infants, fainting and sunken eyes.

Other Symptoms of dehydration may include headaches similar to what is experienced during a hangover, muscle cramps, a sudden episode of visual snow, decreased blood pressure and dizziness or fainting when standing up are the symptoms of dehydration. Untreated dehydration generally results in delirium, unconsciousness, swelling of the tongue and in extreme cases may cause death.

Treatment of Dehydration

Encourage the patient to drink an Oral Solutions to improve from dehydration.
Best treatment for minor dehydration is drinking water and stopping fluid loss. Drinking tender coconut water, fruit juices and sugarcane juices helps for treating dehydration.
In more severe cases of dehydration, correction of a dehydrated state is accomplished by the refilling necessary water and electrolytes. Even in the case of serious lack of fresh water, drinking sea water does not help and consumption of alcohol also not helps to compensate body fluid state. It is often thought that the sudden influx of salt into the body from seawater will cause the cells to dehydrate and the kidneys to overload and shut down but it has been calculated that an average adult can drink up to 0.2 liters of seawater per day before the kidneys start to fail.

When oral fluids intake is difficult, administering intravenous fluids is important treatment for dehydration. Intravenous administration of fluids restores the fluid volume immediately and helps to save the life of dehydrated patient.

When dehydrated, unnecessary sweating should be avoided as it wastes water. If there is only dry food, it is better not to eat, as water is necessary for digestion. For severe cases of dehydration where fainting, unconsciousness or other severely inhibiting symptom is present, emergency attention is required. Fluids containing proper electrolytes for the balance of electrolytes are given orally or intravenously with continuing assessment of electrolyte status and kind attention.

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