DESHIDRATACIÓN – iDRATA ORS

WATER IN ORGANISM

Water is the most important element for living beings and there are organisms that can have almost 90% of their weight in water. Our body is composed of approximately 70% of water and this high value indicates the importance of this element for our organism. The water from our body can be divided into two compartments: The intracellular fluid which is the major component representing about two-thirds of body water and the extracellular fluid which can be divided into interstitial fluid (between cells) and plasma. Plasma volume represents approximately one quarter of the extracellular volume. Water is involved in several physiological mechanisms and their balance, as well as the balance of electrolytes, has major influence on its absorption and / or excretion, being regulated by precise molecular mechanisms in constant balance. If a person loses 10% of the water in his body his life can be at risk. If the lost is from 20% the health condition is so severe that can lead to death. The amount of water to be taken daily should represent at least 3% of body weight, which means the average requirement of water per person is about 2 liters per day

WHAT IN DEHYDRATION?

Dehydration is a condition in which a person losses more fluids than the necessary to maintain correct functioning of the organism. Being a physiologically regulated balance, dehydration occurs when there is an alteration in the balance, due to a decrease in fluid intake or an increase in fluid losses by the body. Dehydration can be qualified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the amount of fluid lost and not being replenished, the condition being severe and life-threatening. Effectively a person can suffer from dehydration being the latter caused by two different processes but in the end provoking a similar condition: hydroelectrolytic imbalance. Sometimes the lack of fluids may be due to a reduced intake of water due, for example, to nausea, loss of thirst and appetite related with an illness etc. However, these causes usually represent a small percentage of dehydration cases and usually don’t lead to a moderate or severe case. Finally, the other process responsible for the lack of fluids in the body is the excessive loss of water caused by: excessive sweating, fever, polyuria, vomiting and / or diarrhea.
Dehydration is not a serious problem in adolescents as it can became for infants or young children. Small losses of fluids are not a problem and, in most of cases, go completely unnoticed. Still, not drinking enough liquids to replenish fluid losses can affect the general condition of the body.

CAUSES OF DEHYDRATION

Dehydration can have a varied etiology and occurs when the amount of water in the body is too low. The causes of dehydration include not drinking enough fluids, losing a large amount of fluids through sweating (especially when it is very hot), or through certain diseases that can cause abnormal fluid loss due to symptoms such as fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Diarrhea causes an increased loss of water and electrolytes, including sodium, chloride, and potassium. These episodes usually affect mainly children and elderly people and may also be the result of gastrointestinal diseases of bacterial, viral or parasitic origin. If these losses are not adequately replaced, a water and electrolyte deficit develops causing dehydration.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea means soft and watery stools more than three times a day, and may be accompanied by cramps, nausea, and swelling. Diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites, food intolerances, certain medications and disorders that affect the stomach, small intestine or colon. During diarrhea, there is a greater loss of water and electrolytes.

Viral Gastroenteritis

Viral gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases worldwide affecting both babies and children. It is known that viruses are responsible for 70% of cases of gastroenteritis, being an infection of the stomach and intestines which results in vomiting and watery diarrhea. It can be caused by different virus families being the most frequent the rotavirus and norovirus. In some cases vomiting and diarrhea may be accompanied by nausea, fever, abdominal pain, headache and muscle aches. Due to the large amount of fluid lost through vomiting and / or diarrhea during an episode of gastroenteritis, a case of dehydration may develop. The vast majority of gastroenteritis cases resolve on their own, because the body finds a way to neutralize the pathogen responsible for the disease. The treatment is not to fight the causative agent, but to prevent complications related to excessive loss of liquids. Unfortunately more than 4,000,000 children worldwide die every year from gastroenteritis due to lack of adequate treatment.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEHYDRATION

In cases of dehydration it is necessary to restore an adequate fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. However, it is necessary to know how to identify the problem and recognize the signs of dehydration. Thirst is an indicator of dehydration, but it is not one of the first signs of alarm.It is necessary to pay attention to the following signs and symptoms: Dry and warm skin, Decreased urine volume and a dark yellow color due to higher concentration, Dizziness, Muscle weakness and tiredness, Cramps in the arms and legs, Few tears, Headache, Dry mouth and tongue, with thick saliva, Increase of cardiac frequency, As the condition progresses, the general condition worsens as more body systems (or organs) are being affected by the dehydration process.

Degree of dehydration:

• Mild dehydration: It manifests itself after losing 1-2% of the volume of water and is characterized by the following symptoms: thirst, oliguria, darkening of the urine, fatigue, headaches and orthostatic hypotension.
• Moderate dehydration: It manifests itself after losing between 2-6% of the volume of water and is characterized by presenting more severe symptoms than in the case of mild dehydration: Xerosis, asthenia, severe oliguria. Children have other symptoms such as sinking fontanelles, fainting, and sunken eyes.
• Severe dehydration: With the loss of water, the symptoms become increasingly serious and are as follows: increased heart and respiratory frequency to compensate blood volume and also blood pressure reduction, paresthesia, muscles become spastic, blurred vision, shock, painful urination, brain damage and delirium. At this degree of dehydration the health of the individual is threatened and the loss of a quantity of water over 15% of the total volume of the body is usually deadly. All cases of severe dehydration must receive adequate hospital treatment, with the application of intravenous solutions.

DEHYDRATION, HEALTH, PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL FATIGUE

Dehydration can negatively influence cognitive functions and motor control of individuals. There are numerous studies that relate poor hydration to a decrease in the physical and intellectual capacity of an individual, regardless of the reason that led to dehydration. Available evidence indicates that exercises in a hot environment (> 30 ° C) lead to dehydration between 2 and 7% of body mass, decreasing physical and intellectual abilities of people. When the level of dehydration reaches 7% under these conditions, the decrease in physical and intellectual capacities is around 40% of its capacity with normal hydration

HOW TO PREVENT DEHYDRATION

The easiest way to avoid dehydration is to drink large amounts of fluid throughout the day, especially on hot days, since the body is unable to produce the fluid it needs to function properly. Adequate amounts must be provided through the consumption of liquids where water is usually the best choice, but it is also possible through foods rich in water (milk, yogurt, chard, tomato, watermelon, broccoli, spinach, carrots, among others). other fruits and vegetables). If these fluids are not replaced properly, you can become dehydrated. In any case, the water needs of each individual vary depending on the needs of the body, physical condition, age, sex, level of physical activity or environmental conditions.

WHICH ARE THE GROUPS OF PEOPLE AT HIGHER RISK OF DEHYDRATION?

Los grupos que suelen deshidratarse más fácilmente son:

Bebés y niños
Ancianos
Personas con fiebre
Personas expuestas a climas calurosos
Diabéticos

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TREAT DEHYDRATION ONCE IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED?

Oral Rehydration Solutions are the best and most effective for the treatment and prevention of dehydration. These are products that are widely available in pharmacies and should be administered as soon as possible to anyone with frequent episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, or with a true diagnosis of dehydration.