Dehydration - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Dehydration is a condition resulting from excessive loss of body water.

The problem has different causes.

Isotonic dehydration is characterized by an abundant loss of water and sodium in equal quantities, usually through vomiting and diarrhea; there is therefore no adequate consumption of liquids to replenish it. It is observed in numerous pathological conditions, including renal failure, Addison's disease and undernourished states.

Hypotonic dehydration occurs when the loss of mineral salts is greater than that of water and is caused by profuse sweating, kidney failure or gastrointestinal disorders.

The hypertonic form, on the other hand, occurs when the loss of water is greater than that of mineral salts. The most common causes are a lack of water intake or the use of diuretics. This form is characteristic of diabetes and nephropathy.

Fever is a major cause of dehydration, especially when the body temperature is very high and lasts for a few days. In other cases, fluid loss is the result of intestinal viruses (eg gastroenteritis), burns, pregnancy, lactation and diseases that induce excessive diuresis (eg diabetes and hypercalcemia).

Dehydration can be induced by some medicines that cause an increase in urine loss as a side effect. These include diuretics, laxatives, drugs to keep pressure and antihistamines under control.

Infants, children and the elderly are the categories most prone to dehydration, as they have a reduced perception of thirst (therefore they have less stimulation to drink). Diabetics and athletes are also particularly vulnerable, especially when endurance sports are practiced or there has not been an adequate acclimatization phase.

In all cases, the recommendation is to drink adequate amounts of liquids (water, hot tea, herbal tea, vegetable broth etc.), with the exception of carbonated soft drinks and alcohol. Alcohol, in fact, has a diuretic effect and leads to the loss of considerable quantities of liquids and mineral salts.

When dehydration exceeds 5-7% of body weight, it negatively affects the physical and mental capacities of the organism, thermoregulation and plasmatic volume are altered, there is a sense of thirst, cramps, fatigue, headache, scarcity of urine, irritability and general malaise. If dehydration reaches 10%, there is a danger of survival.

A persistent state of reduced dehydration leads to general impairment of health, as well as increasing the risk of kidney stones and mitral valve prolapse.