Dehydration causes, symptoms and treatment

Dehydration simply is when you do not have enough water in your system.  According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158: the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, the lungs, 83% water, the skin, 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79% water, the bones 31% water. Basically, a large part of the human body is made water and this varies depending on the organ, so why wait until you are thirsty before you drink water. At this point, it takes about two hours for fluids to have any effect on your body system because at the time you feel thirsty, you have already lost about 2-3% of fluids in your body.


Also, note that severe dehydration can become life threatening especially when the person is vomiting, sweating a lot, diarrhea and too much urine output

Symptoms of Dehydration

• Not peeing very much
• Urine color is dark yellow
• No urine at all
• Sleepiness
• Sunken eyes
• Dry, cool skin
• Muscle cramps
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Dizziness
• Headache
• lack of energy
• Fainting
• Thirsty
• Confusion
• Lack of tearing
• Infants will have the soft spot on the top of their head sunken
• Dry or sticky mouth

First Aid for dehydration

• Drink small amount of fluids gradually.
• In the absence of water, you can take electrolyte solutions. they are very effective in this situation.
• Avoid giving ordinary water to infants and kids, rather, use commercial electrolyte solutions. You can get this from your pharmacy by asking.
• In severe case, Hospitalization will be needed, so call 911.
• If in hot environment, you can get the person to a place of shelter and do as advice from point 1.

Should you suspect that the cause behind the dehydration is as a result of too much exposure to an environment that is too hot.  Then treat the person in the same manner you would treat some one for heat related illness.

First Aid for heat related illness

• Take the person to a place of Shelter where the environment is cooler.
• Ask the person to lay down.
• Elevate the feet above twelve (12) inches.
• You need to lower or cool down the body temperature by applying cool water on them.
• Give the person something chill to drink. This can be taken every 15 minutes intervals.
• If there is no improvement, the condition is getting worse and you are not sure of what next to do. Call 911. 
• Stay with them person, keep monitoring the situation until EMS arrives.