Adeyemi Maxwell

DEHYDRATION occurs when more water and fluids leave the body than enter it, or when you use or lose more fluids than you take in and the body does not have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If the fluid deficit is not replaced, then dehydration results. Even low levels of dehydration can cause headaches, lethargy and constipation. Anyone may become dehydrated but the elderly and young children are more susceptible to this condition.

The human body is roughly 75 per cent water. Without this water it cannot survive. Water is found inside cells, within blood vessels and between cells.

A sophisticated water management system keeps our water levels balanced, and our thirst mechanism tells us when we need to increase fluid intake.

Although water is constantly lost throughout the day as we breathe, sweat, urinate and defecate, we can replenish the water in our body by drinking fluids. The body can also move water around to areas where it is needed most if dehydration begins to occur.

Most occurrences of dehydration can be easily reversed by increasing fluid intake, but severe cases of dehydration require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of dehydration/

water depletion

Dehydration is easy to remedy but can be serious if left unchecked. The first symptoms of dehydration include thirst, darker urine and decreased urine production. In fact, urine colour is one of the best indicators of a person's hydration level - clear urine means you are well hydrated and darker urine means you are dehydrated.

However, it is important to note that, particularly in older adults, dehydration can occur without thirst. This is why it is important to drink more water when ill, or during hotter weather.

As the condition progresses to moderate dehydration, symptoms include: dry mouth, lethargy. weakness in muscles, headache, dizziness

Severe dehydration (loss of ten-15 per cent of the body's water) may be characterised by extreme versions of the symptoms above, as well as: Lack of sweating, sunken eyes, shrivelled and dry skin, low blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, delirium, unconsciousness.

Symptoms in children and babies - a sunken fontanel (soft spot on the top of the head), dry tongue and mouth. irritability, no tears when crying, sunken cheeks and/or eyes, no wet diaper for three or more hours.

Causes of dehydration

The basic causes of dehydration are not taking in enough water, losing too much water, or a combination of both. Sometimes it is not possible to consume enough fluids because we are too busy, lack the facilities or strength to drink, or are in an area without potable water (while hiking or camping, for example).

Additional causes of dehydration include:

(a)

Diarrhoea - the most common cause of dehydration and related deaths. The large intestine absorbs water from food matter and diarrhoea prevents this from happening. The body excretes too much water, leading to dehydration.

(b)

Vomiting - leads to a loss of fluids a