Water is a vital constituent of the body, and sufficient hydration is necessary to allow the bodily functions to operate in a correct manner. More than 70% of our body's weight is been taken by water. Dehydration occurs when the quantities of water taken in is lesser than the amounts of water that are leaving the body.
Dehydration symptoms start from carving for water that is severe thirst and then progress to more dangerous manifestations as the need for the body of water becomes more intense and dire. For an adult, the initial symptoms and signs of mild dehydration starts appearing when 2% of the total fluid in the body is lost. These dehydration symptoms exhibit thirst followed by loss of appetite and dry skin. Dark colored urine may also signify dehydration of the body. A person suffering from dehydration also experiences fatigue and weakness, skin flushing, head rushes and even chills.
As soon as the body looses 10% of its fluid the symptom of dehydration becomes intense and more fatal. Severe dehydration symptoms include vomiting, muscle spasms, shriveled skin and racing pulse. It may also lead to painful urination, abdominal and chest pain and seizures. Severe dehydration may also lead to difficulty in breathing and even unconsciousness.
Dehydration symptoms differ from person to person. This is because the complex systems of the body for each person differ. When these systems of body experience loss of fluid these, they are disturbed and exhibit different responses. The mentioned dehydration symptoms above are the ones most commonly shared by most bodies, but there may be several unexpected or unusual dehydration symptoms depending on each particular person.
Manifestation of different symptoms also depends on the age. Dehydration signs will not same in a child as it is in an elderly, a teenager or an adult.
Dehydration symptoms in children are manifested by initially a dry mouth and tongue. They do not shed tears when they cry while experiencing dehydration. Their abdomen, eyes and cheeks appear sunken. They may also experience high fever with no wet diapers till 3 hours. In case of severe dehydration their skin is also affected. It does not flatten when you pinch and release it. Dehydration is very dangerous for children who can even die from it within a matter of days. Child specialists suggest a rehydration solution like Pedialyte, Ceralyte and Infalyte that are specially intended for children.
In the elderly, dehydration symptoms are a quite different. The main cause for dehydration in the elderly is the medicines they take. One of the most noticeable symptoms of dehydration in the elderly is a poor elasticity of skin. When their skin is pinched, instead of coming back to its normal shape it holds the way pinched.
Although water is an extremely important element of maintain water levels of the body and preventing dehydration but it does not have electrolytes. Fluids containing sodium like broth, soups and soft fruits, fruit juices and vegetables which are rich in potassium help to maintain and restore electrolyte levels. Moreover sports drinks like Gatorade also help in maintaining and restoring the electrolyte levels
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