You've probably heard that you should drink at least two liters of water a day to stay hydrated. However, it's easy to underestimate your daily intake because our body has a natural mechanism to regulate its water reserves: thirst. But this mechanism can sometimes be insufficient. In such cases, the risk of dehydration increases and can evolve into a more severe form, known as severe dehydration.
In this article, we will explore what severe dehydration is, the signs that help recognize it, and the measures to take to prevent and treat it. Happy reading!
Dehydration: definition and stages
What is dehydration?
Dehydration results from a water deficit in the body, meaning a situation in which the body loses more fluids than it absorbs.
As the body loses water, dehydration worsens and progresses through several stages, each characterized by different symptoms.
- Mild to moderate dehydration manifests first as thirst, then as decreased sweating, urine production, fatigue, and loss of skin elasticity.
- Severe dehydration manifests as dizziness or fainting. These new symptoms are linked to the fact that at this stage, water from the cells passes into the blood to compensate for losses and maintain sufficient circulation. This is particularly the case in the brain, causing the symptoms mentioned above.
The main causes of dehydration
Dehydration is often caused by a significant and sudden decrease in the body's fluid reserves without replenishment, for example during episodes of diarrhea, vomiting, or heavy sweating.
Signs and symptoms of severe dehydration
What are the signs of severe dehydration?
When dehydration worsens and becomes severe, the symptoms change. Blood pressure begins to drop, which can lead to dizziness or even fainting, especially when standing. This is called orthostatic hypotension.
If dehydration continues to worsen, it can cause shock and severe damage to internal organs. The brain is particularly sensitive to the decrease in the body's water reserves because it needs it for neuron maintenance and hormone transport throughout the body. Thus, confusion is a characteristic symptom of severe dehydration.
However, dehydration symptoms can vary significantly depending on the age of the person concerned.
Prolonged dehydration is often accompanied by electrolyte losses, particularly a potassium deficiency, which is important to monitor.
Symptoms of dehydration in infants and children
In infants and children, symptoms of dehydration may include:
- A sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on top of babies' heads)
- Hollow and sunken eyes
- Decreased urine output, with few or no wet diapers
- Crying without tears and dry skin
Symptoms in adults and the elderly
In elderly people, the main symptoms are thirst, decreased water excreted by the body via urine and sweat, low blood pressure, apathy, confusion, and discomfort.
Risks and complications of severe dehydration
What are the complications of dehydration?
Without treatment, dehydration can lead to more or less serious complications such as:
- An electrolyte imbalance, particularly a lack of sodium (hyponatremia) and potassium, hindering the proper functioning of the body's organs.
- A significant decrease in circulating blood volume (hypovolemic shock)
- Acute kidney failure due to decreased circulating blood fluid volume
If dehydration continues to worsen, it can lead to coma and death.
What disease causes dehydration?
Certain diseases, such as diabetes, diarrhea, or gastroenteritis, which increase water excretion, can increase the risk of dehydration. This is why it is essential to be particularly vigilant in these cases and to hydrate well to compensate for losses.
What to do in case of severe dehydration?
How to react in case of severe dehydration?
In case of severe dehydration, it is important to react quickly. First, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. They can administer an intravenous (IV) liquid solution containing chloride and sodium to restore the electrolyte balance and promote water retention. Then, as soon as the person is able to drink, they can be given an oral rehydration solution (ORS), which is more effective for rehydration than plain water.
How to rehydrate in case of moderate dehydration?
In case of moderate dehydration, you should drink large quantities of electrolyte-rich water to compensate for the deficit. Consuming a hydration solution such as Hydratis tablets is a very good solution as it not only enriches the water with electrolytes but also promotes its absorption thanks to a scientifically tested mixture of sodium and glucose.
Diagnosis and prevention of severe dehydration
What are the tests to diagnose dehydration?
Dehydration is often diagnosed based on its symptoms. If the patient has other disorders that could interfere with the diagnosis, a blood test may be necessary.
What are the ways to prevent severe dehydration?
To prevent dehydration, the key is to drink regularly and in sufficient quantities. Particularly, during heatwaves, after intense physical exercise, or in case of illness causing significant water excretion (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), remember to hydrate more than usual to compensate for losses.
You should also pay attention to others, especially the elderly, children, and infants who are more vulnerable.
Severe dehydration can occur in various situations, but its symptoms often remain the same: dry skin and mouth, decreased sweating and urine, dizziness, confusion, and sometimes fainting. To avoid reaching this point, prevention is essential: make sure to hydrate regularly and sufficiently, whether with water or oral rehydration solutions. Protecting your health means anticipating and adopting good habits.
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