When we start to feel nauseous or when we keep vomiting, we think we'll be fine in a little while, right? But in both of these situations, an incredible amount of water is lost from our bodies. This loss of water is what we call dehydration. If not treated properly, this can be dangerous, especially for young children and the elderly. In some severe cases, it can even cause kidney failure.
Can we recognize the signs of dehydration early?
If you're feeling nauseous or vomiting, pay close attention to these signs to see if you're dehydrated. These are the signals your body is giving you.
But remember, by the time these symptoms appear, you may have been dehydrated for a long time. So it's best to start replacing lost fluids and electrolytes as soon as you start vomiting or having diarrhea.
| Main symptoms of dehydration | To put it simply... |
|---|---|
| Intense thirst | This is the main way the body asks for water. My mouth is dry and I feel like drinking more and more water. |
| Decreased urination | It is a symptom if you urinate less than the usual number of times per day. |
| Dark urine | When the body is dehydrated, urine takes on a dark yellow or orange color. |
| Dry skin | The skin becomes dry and loses its elasticity. The lips become chapped. |
| Fatigue and exhaustion | I feel so tired that I can't do anything, and I feel sleepy all the time. |
| Dizziness and lightheadedness | Feeling dizzy when standing or getting up. |
| Not sweating | Even though it's hot, my body doesn't sweat. |
What should we do to prevent dehydration?
When you have diarrhea and vomiting, your body loses fluids very quickly. So it's very important to drink as much fluids as possible. The first thing to do is drink plenty of clean water.
But if you have other medical conditions, such as heart disease, it's best to consult your doctor about how much water you should drink.
It's hard to drink water when you're vomiting. At times like these, instead of drinking a large amount at once, try to sip water little by little, frequently . You can also add fluids to your body by sucking on an ice cube or eating an ice cube.
The most important thing is that drinking water alone is not enough! With diarrhea and vomiting, not only water is lost from the body, but also electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, which are essential for the body's functioning.
It is essential to replenish these salts. The best way to do this is to drink an oral rehydration solution like the well-known "Jeevani" . These can be easily purchased from pharmacies.
Additionally, wearing less clothing and staying in a cool, breezy place will also help keep the body cool.
Be especially careful if young children become dehydrated!
When young children have diarrhea and vomiting, they can lose a large amount of fluid in a very short period of time. Therefore, as parents, we need to be very careful. In addition to the general symptoms mentioned above, be aware of these symptoms in young children:
- Dry mouth and tongue
- Tears don't come out when you cry.
- The baby's eyes or cheeks are sunken
- Sunken fontanel on the top of the baby's head
- Having a fever
- Constant crying or whining, without any energy
- A skin fold that does not quickly return to normal when held and released by the hand
If your child has any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately .
If your child is showing signs of dehydration, the best thing to do is give him an oral rehydration solution like Jeevani. Some people give him fruit drinks and sports drinks, but the sugar and salt content in them is not exactly suitable for dehydration. Jeevani contains the right amount of these things. If your child is not vomiting, you can give him Jeevani until he is urinating normally. If your child is vomiting and unable to keep fluids down, be sure to call a doctor.
The elderly are at higher risk of dehydration.
Older people are more likely to become dehydrated. This is because as they age, they don't feel thirst as well as younger people. So even if they don't have enough water in their bodies, they don't feel it as well.
An elderly person with diarrhea or vomiting should try to drink at least 1.7 liters of fluids (that's about 7 regular glasses of water) within 24 hours . Giving fluids is also very good.
When should we seek medical advice?
In general, it is wise to see a doctor if you have diarrhea or vomiting for more than two days. Also, if you have any of the following severe symptoms, see a doctor immediately, without waiting two days.
- If you have a fever.
- If you have severe pain in your stomach or rectum.
- If the stool is black or tarry.
- If you are showing severe signs of dehydration.
Simply put, if you have any concerns or worries about a condition you or your child may have, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor. This can help you get the situation under control before it becomes a bigger problem.
Take-Home Message
- Diarrhea and vomiting can cause water and salts to be lost from the body, causing dehydration.
- Watch for symptoms like dry mouth, decreased urination, and dark urine.
- It is very important to drink not only water, but also fluids containing salts such as ORS.
- Be especially careful with young children and the elderly, as they are at greater risk.
- If symptoms are severe, last more than two days, or are accompanied by other dangerous symptoms (fever, severe pain), seek medical advice immediately.
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