In the hot season, as a rule, there is also the risk of dehydration. Excessive sweating, high temperatures, excessive consumption of refined and sodium-rich products, without being doubled by the optimal amount of water of 35ml/kg body are some factors that contribute to the installation of dehydration; here’s how you can treat dehydration at home with some handy remedies.
Dehydration occurs when the body is unable to retain fluids and electrolytes. When the amount of water in the body is reduced, the electrolyte balance is destroyed and thus the problems arise.
What causes dehydration?
In general, dehydration tends to occur after very intense sports training outdoors on a sunny day, but there are other causes of dehydration:
Diarrhea or vomiting
Both diarrhea and vomiting cause the body to lose water, which leads to dehydration.
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Frequent urination
Diabetes or certain drug treatment can cause frequent urination, which in turn can cause dehydration.
Chronic conditions
Kidney disease or other chronic conditions also increase the risk of dehydration.
Very high temperatures
Very hot weather overtaxes the body, causing it to sweat profusely to regulate its temperature. Thus, dehydration may occur.
What symptoms are associated with dehydration?
Symptoms of dehydration in adults are as follows:
Dry mouth Excessive thirst Lack of urination or dark urine Dizziness Fatigue Headache Installation of the pressing fold – squeezes the skin on the hands or calves between the fingers and if the fold can form and retract with difficulty, dehydration is intense, this being especially valid for the elderly. In the case of children, dehydration manifests itself as follows: Dry mouth Apathy Drowsiness Intense thirst Absence of tears during crying Lack of urination
When it occurs in children and the elderly, dehydration can be extremely dangerous, therefore it is recommended to urgently seek specialized medical help and rehydration through infusions. If the dehydration is not severe and does not require medical intervention, it can be combated with a few remedies at hand.
Remedies for dehydration
Here’s what you can do at home when you’re dealing with dehydration:
Eat bananas
One or two bananas will regulate your potassium levels in your body. During dehydration, potassium levels in the body drop alarmingly.
Drink whipped milk
Mix a cup of whipped milk with a teaspoon of ginger and drink it immediately. This is a natural probiotic, also rich in minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which are lost through excessive sweating caused by the first stages of dehydration.
Drink barley water
Put 3-4 cups of water in a saucepan, to which you add a cup of barley. Let this water boil for around 40-50 minutes, then let it cool, strain it and add a little lemon juice and honey to taste. Barley water contains many antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in abundance and will balance the dehydrated body.
Eat a soup rich in vegetables
Soups are rich sources of nutrients, but they also provide the body with the water it needs. They are a valuable ally in combating dehydration.
Coconut water
Coconut water is rich in sodium and potassium, which are needed to fight dehydration. Drink coconut water 4-5 times a day to recover quickly.
Pickle juice
As with coconut water, the sodium and potassium content make pickle juice an effective remedy for dehydration. The body loses significant amounts of sodium and potassium as a result of dehydration, that is why it is so important to give it the minerals that can also be obtained from pickle juice, after which it is necessary to drink more plain water.
What diseases can lead to dehydration?
Dehydration can be caused by several conditions, such as:
Infections
Viral or bacterial infections that cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration as the body loses fluids through excessive sweating, vomiting, and stools. Therefore, it is advisable to drink plenty of healthy fluids, such as plain water, home-made vegetable soups, herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint) and oral rehydration solutions (these solutions contain adequate levels of water, salts and electrolytes to help restore fluid and nutrient balance; they are available in pharmacies and can be particularly useful in cases of severe diarrhoea).
A gastrointestinal disease
Conditions such as gastroenteritis (infection of the gastrointestinal tract) or Crohn’s disease can cause persistent diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can occur with gastroenteritis due to excessive fluid and electrolyte loss through diarrhea and vomiting. People suffering from gastroenteritis can experience a significant amount of essential fluids and salts lost from the body, which can lead to a water imbalance.
Dehydration can occur in Crohn’s disease for several reasons: frequent diarrhea, malabsorption (inflammation and damage in the gastrointestinal tract can affect the body’s absorption capacity, including the absorption of water and essential nutrients), vomiting, and reduced food intake (due to pain abdominal cramps and digestive symptoms, people with Crohn’s disease may avoid food and liquids, which can lead to dehydration).
Renal diseases
Kidney problems, such as kidney failure or kidney stones (kidney stones), can disrupt the body’s water balance and lead to dehydration. In the case of kidney failure, the kidneys can no longer properly perform their function of filtering and removing waste and excess fluids from the body, which leads to the accumulation of water and salts in the body, but also to the loss of the kidneys’ ability to filter urine. Consequently, dehydration can occur even if there is no excessive fluid loss.
When there are kidney stones or other obstructions in the urinary tract, they can prevent the normal flow of urine, causing fluid retention and potentially dehydration.
Diabetes
People with uncontrolled diabetes may experience frequent urination and fluid loss, which can contribute to dehydration. When blood sugar is high, the kidneys may begin to excrete excess glucose through the urine, which will lead to frequent urination, fluid loss, and dehydration. A complication of the disease called diabetic nephropathy can affect the function of the kidneys and their ability to maintain proper water balance, which then contributes to fluid retention and the risk of dehydration.
Heart disease
Some heart conditions can cause insufficient fluid retention, which will later lead to dehydration. In congestive heart failure, the heart cannot pump blood efficiently to meet the body’s needs. This can lead to fluid building up in the lungs and other parts of the body (edema). Although edema may suggest fluid retention, it may be accompanied by greater fluid loss through urine. Thus, people with congestive heart failure may be at risk of dehydration.
Certain cardiac arrhythmias can affect the heart’s rhythm and the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. This can contribute to decreased blood flow to the kidneys and a response by the body to conserve fluids, which can lead to dehydration.
Other chronic diseases
Chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can affect the body’s ability to maintain fluid balance. People with COPD may have difficulty during physical activities or even basic breathing. This extra effort can lead to excessive sweating, which contributes to fluid loss. Shortness of breath can also lead to fatigue and reduce appetite, which will affect the amount of fluids and food consumed.
Skin conditions
The skin plays an important role in maintaining the body’s water balance, as it functions as a protective barrier against excessive fluid loss. People with severe burns or other extensive skin damage can lose significant amounts of fluids through the skin, which can lead to dehydration. Certain types of eczema, such as atopic dermatitis, can cause severe skin dryness and flaking. This affects the skin’s ability to retain water and can contribute to dehydration. And hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) can lead to excessive fluid loss through the skin.
Old age
Older people are more susceptible to dehydration due to physiological changes that can affect the body’s ability to maintain its water balance. Over time, some older people may experience a decrease in thirst or ignore thirst, leading to insufficient fluid intake, increasing the risk of dehydration.
Also, with age, the kidneys may have less function, which can affect the ability to concentrate urine and remove waste and excess fluid from the body. In addition, older people may take multiple medications to treat various chronic conditions, and some of these medications may have diuretic effects or affect the way the body regulates water balance.
2023-08-27 06:00:00
#handy #remedies #dehydration
