Table of contents:
- Symptoms of dehydration that need attention
- Various ways to deal with dehydration
- 1. Natural flavored drink
- 2. Eating foods that contain water
- 3. Other ways
- A sign that the body is getting adequate water intake
Dehydration is a condition when your body lacks fluid intake. This condition can affect the balance of salt, mineral, and sugar levels in the blood. As a result, bodily functions will be disrupted. If not treated immediately, dehydration can cause dangerous effects such as organ damage and even death. So, how do you deal with dehydration? Find out all the information in this article.
Symptoms of dehydration that need attention
Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much fluid or doesn't get enough water. Symptoms of dehydration include the following:
- Dry mouth
- Thirst
- Dizzy
- Headache
- Feeling weak, lethargic, and not feeling energized
- Low blood pressure
- Cannot chew and swallow dry food
- Trouble speaking
- Dry skin
- Skin that is swollen and cracks when pinched
- Fever characterized by weight loss, dark urine, and fatigue in the muscles
Fever, diarrhea or severe vomiting that occurs over a long period of time can cause loss of body fluids. Losing body fluids can result in the loss of electrolytes including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium which the body needs.
Other causes of dehydration include increased output to ileostomy or colostomy bags (fecal bags in the body), excessive use of diuretic drugs, the occurrence of ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen), or edema. Therefore, drink more water to avoid these causes of dehydration.
Various ways to deal with dehydration
Hydration or maintaining the amount of fluid in the body is very important for everyone, whether healthy, or who is undergoing medical treatment such as cancer treatment. Hydration is also very good for long-term health.
In addition to drinking lots of water, here are some ways to deal with dehydration that are important for you to know.
1. Natural flavored drink
If you don't like drinking water like plain water, try drinking a flavorful drink by adding pieces of fruit such as lemon, lime, orange slices, or making it a juice. Other alternatives that can be used to replace fluid intake are:
- Pure fruit juice
- Drinks carbonated but free of caffeine
- Fruit flavored drink
- Herbal drink
- Broth
2. Eating foods that contain water
The water content in food is needed to replace the amount of fluid in the body that will be taken every day. Fruits that are naturally high in water include watermelon, melon, grapes, and tomatoes.
Drinking juices, water or other calorie-containing fluids can help keep the body from becoming dehydrated so that it can provide energy to the body.
Other types of food that contain lots of fluids, namely:
- Ice cream, frozen fruit slices, or popsicles to moisturize a dry mouth
- Sorbet
- Gelatin (regular or sugar free)
- High protein health drink
When your body feels better and your appetite is back to normal, keep a balance of solid food and drinks so that your body can receive the nutrients and fluids your body needs.
3. Other ways
Here are some other ways to deal with dehydration that you can try at home:
- Attach the wet cloth to the body, especially on the neck, face, back, chest or stomach.
- Reduce causes of dehydration such as vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.
- Apply lip balm to dry lips.
- Keep coolers, ice, and healthy drinks close together so that your body is in a more comfortable condition.
A sign that the body is getting adequate water intake
One simple way to find out is to do a urine color test. When the urine is clear or yellow, it's likely that your body is getting enough water. Meanwhile, if the kercing water is dark yellow, then increase the amount of healthy fluid intake for the body.
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