Dehydration in nursing homes: Why is the risk of dehydration so high?
Dehydration in nursing homes:
Two-thirds of the body is made up of water. This means that for a person weighing approximately 70 kilograms, the human body contains about 46 liters of water. Nearly 70% of this water is contained within the cells, 20% in the space surrounding the cells, and just under 10% in the bloodstream. Water is essential for maintaining the body's health.
When the amount of water consumed matches the amount excreted, the body's water reserves are well balanced. If you are healthy and do not sweat excessively, you should drink at least 2 to 3 liters of fluid per day (about 8 glasses of water) to maintain your fluid balance and protect yourself against certain complications, such as the formation of kidney stones.
Dehydration can occur when the body's water supply is insufficient.
Dehydration is not a disease in the strict sense; it is a physiological state with varying degrees of severity. This physiological state results from a significant decrease in the body's fluids. Dehydration can be caused by malnutrition, severe diarrhea, or heat, particularly in summer. This fluid, present in lower than normal quantities in cases of dehydration, consists primarily of water and mineral salts.
Dehydration can affect anyone, but special attention should be paid to older people. Indeed, they often do not experience the symptoms of dehydration and therefore do not fully grasp the risks associated with this condition.
Causes of dehydration:
Vomiting , diarrhea, excessive sweating, burns, kidney failure, and the use of diuretics can all cause dehydration…
Diarrhea, the main consequence of dehydration , is caused by:
● a lack of hygiene within nursing homes.
● Malnutrition, particularly with regard to "water-rich" foods.
● contact and/or hydration with contaminated water.
When diarrhea is not treated immediately, it can become dangerous. Indeed, the loss of water and mineral salts can have significant consequences on the functioning of the body (vital organs, muscles, brain, etc.), and this is especially true for the elderly, whose bodies are weakened.
In practice, diarrhea is defined as having more than three loose or liquid stools per day. Other symptoms may be present, such as nausea and/or vomiting, abdominal pain (cramps), or even fever. Excessive fluid loss, associated with significant dehydration and electrolyte loss (sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride), or even vascular collapse, can sometimes occur.
Diarrhea is most often benign, and can also occur during winter epidemics of acute viral gastroenteritis, intestinal problems... But medications, bacteria, viruses, other parasites and poisoning in general are also responsible for acute diarrhea which sometimes needs to be taken seriously, when it lasts more than 3 to 4 days, is accompanied by blood and mucus, a fever above 39 °C or dehydration.
Dehydration can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, or where they live. However, the elderly are a group that requires particular attention. Indeed, older adults sometimes have more difficulty staying hydrated, especially during periods of intense heat. Therefore, promoting hydration among this population is essential.
According to the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM), certain medications and treatments can worsen dehydration syndrome. People with chronic illnesses and the elderly are most at risk. Doctors warn that severe dehydration can have serious consequences, even death.
Symptoms of dehydration:
Dehydration can be identified through certain specific signs, including:
● less frequent urination;
● the absence of tears;
● dry tongue, dry lips and skin;
● a "greyish" skin;
● a sunken fontanelle (soft part of the infant's skull);
Diarrhea and vomiting are the most obvious signs.
Other symptoms may also accompany this diarrheal condition: fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach aches orabdominal cramps .
The presence of blood in the stool indicates significant dehydration; this is the most alarming condition.
A lack of hydration affects the texture and elasticity of the skin. When the body detects a water shortage, it draws water from the skin to allow other organs to function. This makes the skin feel stiff and can cause it to feel cool and clammy.
Another warning sign is urine. For example, its color already reveals a lot about your body's hydration level. Dark or honey-colored urine is a sign of possible dehydration. Urine consists of both water and waste products that the body needs to eliminate. In a well-hydrated body, urine is pale yellow and odorless. Infrequent urination can also indicate dehydration, as mentioned earlier.
How to prevent and remedy dehydration in elderly people in nursing homes?
To prevent dehydration from worsening, it is important to maintain adequate hydration, aiming for approximately 1.5 liters of water per day. In cases of diarrhea, hygiene must be even more meticulous to limit contamination of those around the patient and the transmission of germs responsible for this condition: frequent handwashing, disinfection of toilets after use, door handles, etc. Doctors in nursing homes can also assess the kidney function of elderly residents to ensure their kidneys are functioning properly.
Hydratis can help seniors optimize water absorption, prevent dehydration and ensure rehydration .
Indeed, Hydratis 50+ solutions, specifically formulated for seniors, allow water to be better absorbed by the body, thus accelerating hydration. Furthermore, their formula, rich in minerals such as magnesium and trace elements like manganese and zinc, helps improve the body's protective mechanisms, meet the physiological needs of seniors, and prevent and alleviate the symptoms of dehydration. This provides genuine support for the metabolism, which is often put under considerable strain in older adults.
