Dehydration. What is its threat and how to prevent it?
Dehydration is a very dangerous condition for the body. It is most often the result of diarrhea and vomiting accompanying poisoning, infections and indigestion. Particularly vulnerable to dehydration are children, who are often unable to communicate to adults what ails them. The task of caregivers is to keep a close eye on the toddler and prevent trouble.
Symptoms of dehydration
Dehydration is a medical condition. When the body loses large amounts of water and electrolytes, various symptoms appear. At the first stage, the most common are:
- Rarer urination,
- Dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue,
- Lack of appetite,
- Flatulence,
- Drowsiness,
- Increased thirst,
- In infants, a symptom of dehydration is a collapsing fontanel.
All this is the result of loss of water and electrolytes. These are essential for the body to function properly. Disturbing this balance can lead to very dangerous side effects. It is therefore necessary to act very quickly.
Electrolytes for children
To prevent dehydration, you need to drink regularly. So let’s take care of our children by systematically giving them fluids. If a toddler develops diarrhea, let’s additionally administer electrolytes for children. They will allow the body to restore the right level of hydration.
It is worth remembering that a child’s need for fluids varies depending on his weight. A toddler weighing 10 kilograms should drink about 1 liter of fluids a day, a 20-kilogram toddler already needs 1.5 liters. Fluids include milk, water, soups and herbal teas.
Importantly, the daily requirement may vary depending on body temperature, ambient temperature or the level of fluid loss. Therefore, during diarrhea, vomiting or with a fever, children’s electrolytes should be given in addition. It is also worth including them in the diet on hot summer days.
Adult health care
Of course, we should care not only for children, but also in ourselves. On average, an adult should consume about 2 liters of fluids per day. This number will vary, of course, depending on your weight. The more we weigh, the more we should drink. If we have an infection or digestive problems with diarrhea and vomiting, we need additional hydration. Let’s drink water, herbal infusions, eat soups – all of which are great for replenishing fluid levels in the body. Let’s also reach for electrolytes if necessary. This is the best way to prevent dehydration.
If in any doubt, let’s see a doctor. Dehydration can be very dangerous – both for children and adults. Let’s take care of ourselves to prevent it from happening.
