Severe Dehydration Symptoms Can Be Deadly Warnings
Severe dehydration symptoms? In the modern world? Yes.
What comes to mind when you think of extreme dehydration? You are likely to conjure up the Moroccan desert and stranded travelers.
It's the kind of dehydration that's associated with thirsty desert travelers.
However, severe dehydration is more common than you think and death from extreme dehydration is certainly possible.
This site is not chiefly concerned with severe dehydration symptoms but it is common and serious enough to merit our attention.
Extreme dehydration is a real medical disorder that requires immediate attention or serious illness can result, even death.
And yes, it does occur in developed countries.
What is severe dehydration?
Simple, the body loses much more fluids than it takes in a pretty short length of time. Perhaps days or weeks.
The severely dehydrated body loses the ability to carry out basic functions.
Causes
Not drinking is the obvious cause but that is not usually the scenario.
Usually the victim suffers from extreme diarrhea or vomiting or fevers or exercises intensely without drinking enough water.
So really, it's not so much that no water is taken in but that a lot of fluid is lost rapidly.
Mild dehydration causes weakness, dizziness and fatigue. The severe form is life threatening.
Risk factors
1)Children are at greater risk because they have lower weight and have frequent turnover of water and electrolytes. They are also more likely to suffer from diarrhea.
2)Older adults often experience severe dehydration symptoms because their ability to conserve water diminishes with age. Another thing that diminishes with age is the sensation of thirst. Many older adults simply forget to drink. Finally, chronic illnesses and prescriptions may exacerbate the dehydration.
3)The chronically ill are at risk for acute dehydration. Especially so for those who suffer from diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, alcoholism and adrenal gland disorders.
4)Endurance athletes are also at risk especially those who compete in hot, humid or high altitudes.
Physically, the body can only absorb about a quart of water per hour but can lose 2 quarts of water during intense exercise. If the exercise occurs over a few days, the cumulative effect can be acute dehydration.
5)Finally, those who live, work or exercise at high altitudes (8,000 - 18,000 feet) can be at greater risk. That's because the body adjusts to height by breathing faster and urinating more, both causing loss of water.
When must you seek medical attention?
If mild symptoms cited above worsen. If you feel extreme thirst. If there's lttle urination for 8 hours, skin shrivels, heightened dizziness and confusion.
Be more attentive and cautious if the sufferer is a child or elderly.
Diagnosis
Medical practitioners can diagnose on the basis of the above cited symptoms.
They can also use blood and urine tests to rule in severe dehydration with certainty.
Complications
Medical dehydration can lead to heat injury, like being overexposed to the hot sun.
Swelling of the brain can occur because the dehydrated body produces particles that pull water into the cells.
Another complication of severe dehydration is hypovolemic shock. This occurs as low blood volume causes a sudden drop in blood pressure. Can cause death in minutes.
Kidney failure can occur because the kidneys can't remove fluids and wastes from the body.
And finally, extreme dehydration can result in coma and death.
Treatment
Again, medical dehydration must be treated by a medical professional.
However, in the case of mild dehydration children or adults can drink in a rehydration solution sold at most groceries or pharmacies.
You can also make your own solution to counter severe dehydration symptoms.
In a quart of water, mix in half teaspoon salt and baking soda and 3 tablespoons sugar. Sip slowly but consistently.
For more severe dehydration, intravenous fluids may be required.
