Pharmacy Online: Health Encyclopedia

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Dehydration

Dehydration is loss of body water or fluids. Normally, the water depletion is signaled by thirst and is replenished by drinking. If the water lost is not replaced within a few days (i.e., no fluids are taken),severe dehydration develops, which is considered a medical emergency.

SYMPTOMS

Mild to severe thirst.
Dry lips and tongue.
When urinating, little is passed. The urine is concentrated.
Faster breathing and heart rate.
Inelastic, dry-looking skin.
Sunken eyes.
In an infant, a sunken fontanelle (soft part on top of the head).

COMPLICATIONS

Kidney damage.
Shock (pallor, rapid breathing, cold sweat. clammy skin, drowsiness, fast pulse rate, fast but feeble heart rate, and loss of consciousness).
Death.

COMMON CAUSES

Excessive sweating.
Severe heat stroke.
Severe diarrhoea or vomitting.
Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Drink plenty of fluids, but not alcoholic beverages.
Take oral dehydration salts or isotonic drink.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately if an infant or young child is dehydrated. or if there is severe, uncontrollable vomitting.
Go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital if there are signs of shock.

WHAT YOUR DOCTOR/PHARMACIST CAN DO FOR YOU

Determine the cause of dehydration and treat it.
Admit you into hospital for the administration of intravenous fluids, if dehydration is severe.

PREVENTION TIPS

Drink of fluids in a hot climate; before during, and after strenuous exercise; or if you are suffering from diarrhoea. (In these situations, you usually have to keep on drinking even your thirst seems to have already been quenched).
If you are vomitting, uncontrollably, try to sip small amounts of fluid in between bouts of retching.

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