When Being Parched is Risky

We all know that all living things find life in water and it makes up 70 percent of the Earth’s liquid. Same principle also goes with our bodies, which gives you all the more reason to keep yourself hydrated. Water brings back balance to your health – from your blood down to your very cells. Water helps your body absorb proper nutrients, as well as cleanse the harmful toxins away which are trapped from within. Being an average adult, it is important to know that about 2.5 liters or ten cups of water are lost everyday through the simple act of breathing, sweating, or waste elimination. With the loss of bodily fluids also comes the loss of electrolytes which are essential in bringing balance to your bodily fluids.

The problem now comes when your body losses more water and salts than what you take. In this case, dehydration happens, where your bodily system just becomes dry. When you don’t drink enough water each day because you feel sick or you are busy, dehydration also occurs. Also, know that we also get water from the foods we eat and it is important to eat those which are abundant in fluids.

What Causes Dehydration?

1. Severe or Acute Diarrhea

Know that children are at great risks for severe dehydration and many die each year because of too much water and electrolyte loss.

2. Too Much Sweating

This can happen in excessive activities like exercises, dancing, running, and many more. Hot and humid weather can also lead to excessive sweating.

3. Fever

When your fever is higher, the more dehydrated your body is.

4. Frequent Urination

This can be caused by diabetes, diuretics, antihistamines, medicines for blood pressure, and other psychiatric medicines. Alcohol can also lead to severe dehydration.

5. Third-Degree Burns

When layers of skin are destroyed, sweat glands cannot function well, which leads to severe dehydration.

Know that infants, children, elderly people, people with chronic diseases, endurance athletes, and those living in high altitudes are all at risk for severe dehydration. Mild cases of dehydration can be treated with drinking plenty of fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical help. When one thirsts too much, one can feel weakness, headache, or light-headedness. When one experiences severe dehydration, that person may have a dry mouth, tired eyes, elevated heartbeat, low blood pressure, delirium, fever, or an amber or dark yellow-colored urine.

When dehydration is ignored, it can lead to complications like heat cramps, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, Cerebral Edema or brain swelling, seizures, loss of consciousness, hypovolemic shock ( most serious complications ), kidney failure, coma – and even death. For this reason, you hear certain incidences of people dying from severe thirst.

How Do You Fight Severe Dehydration – Naturally?

If you feel you are dehydrated, you can simply drink your glasses of pure water to help your body recover. Doing this resolves 50 percent of your dehydration problem. You also need to lather your skin with natural moisturizer to keep it looking fresh and hydrated. By staying out of the sun for a while, you help your skin recover from all the fluid loss. But if you can’t stay indoors, protect your skin with natural sunscreen, a protective eye wear, or head cover like a cap or scarf. You can also try drinking water with electrolytes to help you replenish all those lost sweat. By staying away from caffeine, soda, alcohol, or spicy foods, you help bring back hydration and alkalinity to your body’s fluids. In the end, by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, you help increase water intake too. Try a slice of melon, cucumber, tomato, or grape fruits and feel the difference. Water is Life!

A Video on Drinking Problem: