Dehydration
(Low Body Fluids)
In this condition factsheet:
The Facts on Dehydration
Two-thirds of the human body is made up of water. That means that if a person weighs about 70 kilograms (154 pounds), their body contains about 47 litres of water. Almost 70% of this water is inside the body's cells, 20% is in the space surrounding cells, and slightly less than 10% is in the bloodstream. The water in the human body is essential to keeping it healthy.
When the amount of water you consume matches the water you excrete, the body's water supply will be balanced. If you are healthy and do not sweat excessively, you should consume at least 2 to 3 litres of fluid a day (about 8 glasses of water) to maintain your water balance and protect against complications, like the development of kidney stones.
Dehydration results when there is a deficiency in the body's water supply. If the brain and kidneys are functioning properly, the body will be able to manage minor changes in water intake. It's usually possible to drink enough water to make up for a regular day's water loss. However, it may be difficult to drink enough water if you are vomiting, have severe diarrhea, are exposed to excessive heat, or have a fever.
Dehydration is common among seniors, infants, and children. Seniors sense thirst more slowly so they may not recognize that they are becoming dehydrated and in turn may not drink enough fluids. Infants and young children lose proportionately more fluid from diarrhea or vomiting than older children and adults.
Some dehydration is relatively mild; however, severe loss of the body's supply of fluids can be potentially life-threatening. When the body's supply of fluids falls below a certain amount, a condition called hypovolemic shock may result.
Causes of Dehydration
Some of the conditions that can result in extreme fluid loss are:
Gastroenteritis: If the gastrointestinal tract becomes infected or inflamed by a virus or bacteria that results in vomiting or severe diarrhea, dehydration may develop. Gastroenteritis usually does not last for more than 36 hours.
Cholera: Consuming water or foods that have been contaminated by human wastes infected with the cholera bacterium will cause vomiting and severe diarrhea and can lead to dehydration, hypovolemic shock, and, in some cases, death.
Excessive use of certain medications: Diuretics, also known as "water pills," stimulate the body to increase the rate and volume of urination and the loss of electrolytes (dissolved mineral salts such as sodium, potassium, and chloride) in the urine. Although problems are uncommon when diuretics are used and monitored properly, overuse combined with a low-salt diet may lead to dehydration.
Bulimia: Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that involves uncontrolled or compulsive binge eating. The condition also involves purging through self-induced vomiting, laxatives, enemas, diuretics, or excessive exercising. All types of purging can result in dehydration.
Addisonian crisis: The adrenal gland, a gland located above the kidneys, produces steroid hormones that are involved in keeping the body's water in balance. Although it's rare, the adrenal gland can fail, causing a disease called Addison's disease, which can result in excessive loss of urine, leading to dehydration.
Symptoms and Complications of Dehydration
The body will attempt to deal with dehydration by first stimulating the thirst centres of the brain, which will prompt someone who is dehydrated to drink more fluid. However, if water intake cannot keep up with water loss, dehydration will become severe and the body will respond by doing things that decrease the loss of water, such as decreasing sweat and producing less urine. People who are adequately hydrated will usually urinate light-coloured urine every 3 to 4 hours.
Symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration include thirst, reduced sweating, decreased urine production, dry mouth, dizziness, and reduced skin elasticity.
Because the water in the bloodstream is very important, the water in and around the cells will begin to move into the bloodstream. If dehydration continues, the cells in the body will begin to shrivel and malfunction, and tissues in the body will begin to dry out. Because brain cells are among the most vulnerable to dehydration, confusion and even coma can occur.
With severe dehydration, the body's electrolytes may become deficient, and water will not be able to move as easily from inside the cells out into the blood. The amount of water in the bloodstream will be further decreased and blood pressure can drop, causing lightheadedness or the feeling of starting to faint, particularly when standing up suddenly. If water and electrolyte losses continue, blood pressure can fall dangerously low and result in shock and severe damage to many internal organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and brain.
Dehydration is a serious problem in young children and infants because they are more sensitive to fluid loss, and it can occur even after a few hours of vomiting, diarrhea, or profuse sweating.
If a baby is dehydrated, there may be:
- an absence of tears during crying
- a dry mouth
- excess sleepiness
- a sunken soft spot on the top of the head
- fewer wet diapers
- sunken eyes
