Dehydration Treatment

It is essential to maintain a proper balance of fluids for proper functioning of the various systems in the body. Sometimes, due to some reasons, the balance of fluids gets disturbed due to loss of fluids. This leads to a condition known as dehydration which is one of the most common conditions experienced by people all over the world. One suffers from mild dehydration in case 1-2% of total fluids in the body are lost; whereas if 5% or more body fluids are lost, one suffers from severe dehydration which can be fatal.

Dehydration Causes and Symptoms

Excess sweating or perspiration is the most common cause of dehydration in children and adults. At the same time, if people do not drink adequate amount of water, there is a severe loss of fluids in the body which results in dehydration. Especially during summer or due to strenuous exercise, one experiences severe perspiration which can lead to dehydration. Secondly, diarrhea or vomiting, excessive consumption of alcohol, use of certain medications, constantly working in a hot environment, etc. also leads to dehydration. Symptoms of it include thirst, weakness, lack of energy, chills, fatigue, dryness of mouth and skin. In severe cases, one may also observe sunken eyes, rapid heart rate, cold and clammy hands, unconsciousness, etc. As mentioned above, dehydration treatment is essential to prevent life-threatening consequences.

Treating Dehydration

Mild dehydration can be treated at home using home remedies. If one observes any of the mild dehydration symptoms, he/she should have a glass of water and rest for a while. If you are working, stop doing so immediately and sit down for a while in cool environment. If you are in direct sunlight, you need to get indoors, sit down (or lie down if possible) and have water as soon as possible. Secondly, if you are wearing any tight clothes, loosen them, take off your jacket, coat or any extra clothes that you are wearing. You can have plain water, juice, lemonade, sports drinks, or any natural cool drink that is quickly available. Electrolyte drinks and sports drinks are also helpful for treating dehydration at home as they contain the essential salts and electrolytes.

On the other hand, it is essential to consult the doctor or call emergency service if you observe any of the severe dehydration symptoms. Sometimes, hospitalization may be required in case of severe dehydration and the doctor may advice intravenous (IV) fluids to be used to hydrate the body. In case of babies and children, oral rehydration solution (ORS) may be used only after the doctor's consultation. It is not advisable to have salt tablets or excess salts without consulting the doctor as taking salt tablets may lead to other side effects. There are also dehydration treatment guidelines that you need to follow in order to treat this condition in children. Children should be encouraged to drink water and have fluids in different forms like juice, soups and broths everyday for preventing dehydration. Milk, sodas or caffeine containing drinks should never be given to treat dehydration.

Lastly, one should note that it is possible to prevent dehydration by having sufficient amount of water everyday and also by including healthy fluids like juices and soups in one's diet. But, it should also be noted that caffeine containing beverages are no substitute for plain drinking water. Take care!