The body needs water to carry out its main functions. It is one of our body's essential fuels. In fact, the average human body contains about 60% water, according to Hydration for Health. Dehydration occurs when water losses are not sufficiently compensated.
1. Definition of dehydration
Water is the main constituent of the human body. However, the amount of water in the body depends on several factors. It can vary according to
The person's build: the leaner the individual, the greater the proportion of water in the body.
The age of the individual: the amount of water in the body decreases over the years, as the tissues age. Water is gradually replaced by fat. For example, in a newborn baby, the amount of water represents 75 to 80% of the weight. It then drops to about 60% for an adult and is further reduced for a senior citizens according to Eufic (Food Information Council of Europe).
However, the human body is not capable of storing the water it absorbs in the long term. It eliminates it constantly, whether through breathing, perspiration, or urine. This is why water losses must be systematically compensated for by external inputs. It is customary to say that you need to drink an average of 1.5 litres of water per day to stay healthy. In reality, this figure should be adapted to the situation. In fact, the quantity of water to be absorbed is not at all the same according to the physical activity that we practice or the outside temperature. Dehydration refers to the lack of water and mineral salts in the body. It occurs when their levels are no longer sufficient to ensure the proper functioning of the body.
2. Symptoms of dehydration
The first signs of dehydration are
- thirst ;
- Dry lips;
- feeling abnormally tired;
- loss of strength;
- rapid weight loss.
The colour of the urine is also a very good indicator of dehydration. When the urine is very dark, it means that you are not drinking enough. This is one of the simplest signs to recognise this condition. When dehydration becomes more severe, it leads to other symptoms:
- a decrease in weight of more than 5%;
- intense thirst
- dryness of the tongue;
- accentuation of skin folds, and the difficulty of the skin to recover its initial aspect after being pinched;
- Pale skin tone;
- headaches;
- disorientation and/or dizziness;
- decreased urine output;
- fever;
- a change in behaviour, resulting in both agitation and a feeling of great weakness.
According to Dr. Bernard Durand-Gasselin, geriatrician, and Dr Jean-Michel Borys, endocrinologist-nutritionist, other signs can also appear when it is a question of atypical dehydration in an elderly person. In this case, it is not uncommon to see a loss of appetite, as well as unusual sleepiness or even depression.
Similarly, infants under two years of age are a special case where dehydration can quickly become a very serious problem. In younger children, water loss can be very rapid, resulting in a 10-15% weight loss in a very short time. Alarming symptoms include:
- a listless state and a constant desire to sleep ;
- a child who is difficult to wake up and then lets out some moans;
- Pale skin and dark circles around the eyes;
- rapid breathing;
- a weight loss of more than 5%;
- Depression of the fontanelles on the upper part of the skull.
4. Dehydration: when to consult?
Depending on the profile of the individual and the level of dehydration, the situation can be more or less worrying. It is therefore essential to know how to assess the seriousness of the symptoms. This will help to identify urgent situations where it is necessary to contact a health professional as soon as possible. Regardless of the age of the dehydrated person, when the person is facing severe dehydration, it is an emergency. Similarly, when dehydration affects an infant, an elderly person or someone with a chronic illness, it is best to seek medical attention quickly. If in doubt, call a medical emergency number, such as 15 or 112, without delay. On the phone, the regulating doctor will be able to ask you the right questions to help you assess the person's medical condition and the seriousness of the dehydration.
When dehydration is moderate, certain measures may be sufficient to rebalance the body's water intake, while continuing to monitor the person suffering. In this case, it is necessary to:
- lie down ;
- undress the person;
- cool them down with a damp cloth
- ventilate;
compensate for water and mineral losses by encouraging her to drink more frequently than normal, and by administering oral re-hydration solutions if necessary.
5. Tests and diagnoses of dehydration
In most cases, dehydration is diagnosed by observation of symptoms. However, sometimes blood tests are necessary. Usually, this additional examination is prescribed for people who are seriously ill, suffering from certain specific disorders, and/or taking certain medications. Dehydration is a phenomenon that usually involves an increase in the level of sodium in the blood. This is known as hypernatremia. In addition, the most common causes of dehydration, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, also tend to result in a simultaneous loss of electrolytes from the body. These are therefore important elements in confirming or refuting the initial diagnosis. When dehydration is considered severe, the person is hospitalised and water losses are then compensated by infusion.
6. Treatments for dehydration
When dehydration is mild, drinking large amounts of water is sufficient to treat it. However, when dehydration is more severe, the electrolytes lost in the body, i.e. sodium and potassium must also be replenished. For this purpose, it is recommended to take rehydration solutions. These contain large quantities of electrolytes and are available without a prescription. They are very useful for children, especially during an episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.
Oral rehydration solutions come in sachets of powder and are available in pharmacies. They are medicines covered by the Health Insurance for all children under 5 years of age suffering from acute diarrhoea. They can be given to a breastfeeding infant between feeds or directly into a bottle to replace powdered milk. This medicine can be offered to the child several times an hour, in very small quantities at first, to avoid any regurgitation, and then as much as the child wants, depending on his thirst, as long as the risk of dehydration persists.
In the most serious cases of dehydration, it is necessary to administer an intravenous solution. These contain sodium chloride and not only help to rehydrate the body, but also slow down the causes of dehydration, such as nausea.
7. How can dehydration be prevented?
Because prevention is better than cure, it is strongly recommended to adopt certain actions to avoid dehydration. These concern all individuals, but even more specific populations at risk, such as infants, patients with chronic pathologies or the elderly. Similarly, preventing dehydration is even more important in a heatwave situation. In general, adults are advised to drink at least six glasses of water a day and to eat fluid-rich foods such as fruit and vegetables. The amount of water taken in by the body should be increased in hot weather or after prolonged exercise. The amount of water taken in by the body should also be increased after vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
When exercising, the body temperature naturally increases. This increases the body's need for water. This is why there are specific sports drinks containing electrolytes to compensate for the losses suffered by the body during intense physical exercise. These drinks are an excellent way to prevent dehydration.
Finally, because people with kidney problems are more prone to dehydration, and because dehydration can have much more serious consequences for them, they are advised to consult a doctor before any physical activity, so that they know exactly how to rehydrate properly.
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