Dehydration can be exacerbated by certain external conditions, such as high summer temperatures. Some people are also more at risk of dehydration, such as the elderly, children, or babies. We will look at the causes of dehydration in seniors to ensure their well-being.
What is dehydration?
Dehydration is a lack of water in the body. Most of the time, it occurs after a significant decrease in the body's water stores without replenishment, for example, during episodes of diarrhea, vomiting, or abundant sweating during exposure to excessive heat. Dehydration can also occur after burns, illnesses such as kidney failure, or the consumption of diuretic foods or medications, where water loss is also significant.
There are several degrees of dehydration, each characterized by a different collection of symptoms:
- Mild to moderate dehydration manifests first as thirst, then other phenomena aimed at conserving the body's water loss, such as decreased sweating, urine production, and skin elasticity.
- Severe dehydration, on the other hand, manifests as dizziness or fainting. Paradoxically, the sensation of thirst may be less strong in cases of severe dehydration than in mild dehydration.
If water stores continue to decrease, dehydration can become very severe and lead to shock and damage to internal organs. Without treatment, this can lead to coma and death.
Why is dehydration a major problem for seniors?
Elderly people are particularly at risk of dehydration for several reasons.
Firstly, because the mechanism triggering thirst is less effective in them, meaning this sensation is perceived later and with less intensity. Secondly, because they may suffer from mental or physical disorders such as dementia or mobility problems, preventing them from hydrating sufficiently.
In addition, elderly people naturally have lower water reserves, partly due to fatty tissues constituting a larger proportion of their body mass, which makes them more susceptible to dehydration. With age, the consumption of diuretic medications can also increase the risk of dehydration.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration
Elderly people, particularly vulnerable, are often exposed to increased risks of dehydration, especially during heatwaves. In nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, it is essential to quickly recognize the warning signs that may indicate a state of dehydration in an elderly person, such as low blood pressure, decreased urine production, dry tongue, lips, confusion, or headaches (among others). As mentioned earlier, thirst is not always detectably present in seniors when dehydrated.
Dangers and complications of dehydration in seniors
Dehydration can have serious consequences for seniors because water deprivation stresses their internal organs, which are already fragile. More specifically, age-related bodily disorders such as chronic diseases aggravate the risks of dehydration. This can lead to kidney problems due to an increased risk of kidney stone formation, heart problems due to a drop in blood pressure, tachycardia, and brain problems such as confusion, headaches, and significant fatigue. Dehydration will also increase the risk of urinary tract infections.
Doctors therefore advise increased vigilance regarding fluid loss. In case of severe symptoms, it is necessary to consult medical services quickly to avoid serious complications. Also, prevention plays a key role in ensuring that seniors adopt regular hydration habits. Do not hesitate to give them appropriate advice to maintain good hydration and avoid irreversible effects on their health. Caregivers in nursing homes are also trained and aware of the symptoms of fluid loss and will ensure that elderly people quench their thirst.
How to quickly rehydrate an elderly person?
In cases of mild or moderate dehydration, the best way to rehydrate an elderly person is to give them water, ensuring it contains the essential minerals for the body to function properly. Then, ensure they receive sufficient hydration to compensate for their losses, both through drinks and food.
In cases of severe dehydration, contact emergency services immediately. Healthcare professionals can, if necessary, compensate for the fluid deficit and lack of minerals through intravenous fluids.
How to prevent dehydration in elderly people? What to do in case of severe dehydration?
To best prevent dehydration, which can have serious consequences, it is wise to adopt healthy habits that ensure sufficient hydration throughout the day. A human being, under normal conditions, should absorb about 2L of water per day to stay well-hydrated. It is therefore important to consume a quantity of water close to this figure, spacing out intake: you should drink during and between meals, without waiting until you feel thirsty. Do not hesitate to drink even when not thirsty during meals.
An effective way to hydrate can be to consume oral rehydration solutions (ORS) such as Hydratis tablets. These are specifically designed to optimize water absorption by the body and are enriched with electrolytes and minerals to ensure a sufficient intake of these essential elements.
Top 6 most effective rehydrating drinks
Hydration is not only achieved through water consumption. Indeed, while 80% of the water absorbed by the body daily comes from the water we drink, the remaining 20% comes from the water contained in food and other beverages we consume. Here is a list of the 6 most effective rehydrating drinks:
- Water: obviously, in a situation of dehydration, water should take precedence over any other drink. However, care must be taken to ensure that it is potable and contains adequate amounts of minerals.
- Electrolyte-rich drinks: these are interesting options, especially in cases of significant water loss, for example, at the end of a sports session during which one has sweated heavily.
- Unsweetened infusions: these are almost exclusively composed of water, while benefiting from a different aroma and therapeutic properties of the plant used.
- Broths: they allow you to hydrate while providing the body with essential nutrients and minerals.
- Diluted juices: they contain vitamins and minerals in a much greater proportion than water while containing a smaller amount of sugar compared to normal juices.
- Hydratis tablets: they optimize the absorption of liquids in the intestine thanks to a scientifically tested mixture of sodium and glucose. They also enrich water with electrolytes.
As we have seen, good hydration is essential for staying healthy. With age, good hydration becomes particularly important to avoid developing complications. It is crucial to monitor certain signs of dehydration, such as dry skin, vomiting, diarrhea, or a drop in body temperature. That is why we wanted to share with you in this article the biological basis of dehydration as well as good practices to prevent it in elderly people.
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