Dehydration

A description of dehydration.

1. DehydrationDehydration
Symptoms, causes, risks,
treatment and more…

2. 3 facts about dehydration3 facts about dehydration
•Dehydration occurs when the body loses
too much fluid.
•Fluid can be lost through illness, sweating
or exercise.
•Dehydration can cause muscle cramping.

3. One reason not to ignore itOne reason not to ignore it
•Severe dehydration decreases
the fluids in the body. Fluids help
the blood to travel to organs.
Without this, the body can go into
shock.

4. Signs of mild dehydrationSigns of mild dehydration
•Dry mouth and sticky
saliva
•Reduced urine which is a
dark yellow
•Listless behavior
•Increased thirst.

5. Signs of moderate dehydrationSigns of moderate dehydration
•Extreme thirst
•Dry inside mouth and eyes will not tear
•Decreased urination, with urine that is damp amber or
brown
•Lightheadedness (relieved by lying down)
•Irritable or restless
•Arms or legs are cool to the touch
•Rapid heartbeat
•Muscle cramps

6. Signs of severe dehydration: Call Signs of severe dehydration: Call
911 or emergency services911 or emergency services
•Altered behavior
•Faintness not relieved by lying down
•Inability to stand or walk
•Rapid breathing
•Weak, rapid pulse
•Cold, clammy skin or hot dry skin
•Little or no urination for 12 or more
hours
•Loss of consciousness.

7. Why is it worse for the older Why is it worse for the older
adult?adult?
•Water metabolism
changes with aging.
This is due to a
decrease in total
body water,
decrease in
intracellular water,
and a decreased
thirst perception.

8. Some medicines may cause Some medicines may cause
dehydrationdehydration
•Antihistamines
•Blood Pressure Medicines
•Chemotherapy
•Diuretics
•Laxatives
•Psychiatric medicines

9. If you are mildly dehydratedIf you are mildly dehydrated
•Rest
•Take off extra clothes if you are warm
•Rehydrate with 2 qt. of cool liquids over the next 2 to 4
hours.
•Continue to drink. It may take as long as a day and a
half to replace the fluids that you have lost.
•Consult a professional if you become less alert, dizzy
or lightheaded, or if symptoms become more severe or
frequent.

10. Dehydration causes an electrolyte Dehydration causes an electrolyte
imbalance.imbalance.
•Dehydration produces a higher amount of sodium and a lower
amount of potassium, which are electrolytes.
•A very high sodium level can cause confusion, paralysis, coma,
and seizures.
•Although there is not an immediate problem, extended time with
low potassium levels may produce less insulin, which may
increase the amount of sugar in the body.
• If the potassium level becomes very low, fatigue, confusion,
and muscle weakness and cramps typically occur. A very low
potassium level can cause paralysis and abnormal heart
rhythms (arrhythmias).

11. HypernatremiaHypernatremia
•Hypernatremia is the term for an excess
of sodium in the body.
•It often affects hospitalized patients with
existing conditions like diabetes and
diarrhea.
•Treatment involves a slow replenishing
of liquids through drinking or I V.
•

12. HyponatremiaHyponatremia
•Hyponatremia is the other side of
hypernatremia. It results from too
many liquids or drinking too quickly.
•This is the most common electrolyte
imbalance.
•People with kidney disease may
experience this.

13. Symptoms & treatmentSymptoms & treatment
•Symptoms of hyponatremia include
fatigue, weakness, nausea and
headache. These can escalate into
confusion, seizure, coma and death if
treatment is not received. The goal of
treatment is to restore electrolyte
balance. Sodium must be added
slowly.

14. Don’t get dehydrated…DRINK!Don’t get dehydrated…DRINK!
Drink this
To prevent this

15. SourcesSources
•Nutrition Review , June 63 (6): S22-9. Strategies for ensuring good hydration in the elderly,
by M. Ferry. Retrieved from: http://www.heartspring.net/thirst_electrolytes_elderly.html.
•Dehydration: Topic Overview. Retrieved from:
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/tc/dehydration-topic-overview
•Problems with Electrolyte Imbalance. Retrieved from:
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/sec3/ch18/ch18d.html
Developed by Mary Burns Prine
4/21/2009