De-Hydration the facts Well it’s that time of the year again, temperatures soaring into the late 90s to the early 100s. Many clients coming into the clinic complain of overheating, and a worsening of symptoms to existing complaints, feeling tired and exhausted, not sleeping very well and a general feeling of lethargy. When I question them on their water intake I find that it is well below that which they should be drinking. You must drink water. Nothing else will do. If you do not drink 8 / 10 glasses of fresh clean water per day you will suffer the consequences. If you have spoken to anyone that has had a treatment at my clinic they will all tell you that I nag, nag, nag them about the amount of water that they do or do not drink on a regular basis. I personally believe that the lack of hydration in the general population is the cause of much illness that are suffered by human beings. When you are dehydrated, it means that the amount of fluids (water) your body is losing is more than the amount of water your body is taking in. Your body is made up of about two-thirds water. There are three levels of dehydration: • Mild (where you can lose 3-5% of your body weight) • Moderate (6-9%) • Severe (10% or more) The colour of your urine is an excellent guide to tell if you are dehydrated. If it’s dark, concentrated and has a strong smell then you are not drinking enough water. If it’s clear and odourless then you are drinking enough fluid. Fast facts about dehydration • A loss of only 3% of your body’s water content causes a 10% drop in strength and an 8% loss of speed. • A healthy mind is as important as a healthy body. Low concentration levels could be a result of dehydration. Headaches are often a sign of dehydration, so before reaching for a headache pill, try a glass of water. • A 4-5% reduction in water in your body can cause as much as a 30% decline in work performance. • Dehydration: How To Recognize And Prevent Its Effects Dehydration can be defined as the excessive loss of water from the body. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to dehydration in various ways. Often, dehydration becomes the major problem in an otherwise self-limited illness. Fluid loss may even be severe enough to become life-threatening. The following information is designed to provide some understanding and guidance in order to avoid the effects of dehydration. Treatment, however, should be individualized, and your doctor should be contacted before using any of the measures outlined here. Our bodies require a certain amount of fluid intake on a daily basis to function; the minimum is about equal to four / eight 8 ounce glasses (one / two litres). Requirements vary with activity and age, but most active persons need double this basic amount. Basic fluid intake serves to replace the fluids which are required to perform our normal bodily functions. If we take in less or lose more fluid than is needed, the end result is dehydration. Excessive loss of fluid through the intestinal tract can happen when the intestine is inflamed or damaged, or when bacteria or viruses cause the lining of the intestine to produce more fluid than can be absorbed. Abnormal connections that are between parts of the intestinal tract (fistula) may also lead to fluid depletion. A decrease in oral liquid intake may be due to nausea or loss of appetite; this may be worsened by an inability to keep things down (vomiting). Medications also can cause an increased fluid loss. Prior bowel resection or ileostomy can make a person more susceptible to dehydration. A reliable clue to indicate dehydration is a rapid drop in weight. This loss may equal several pounds in a few days (or at times hours). A rapid drop of over 10% (fifteen pounds in a person weighing 150 pounds) is considered severe. Symptoms may be difficult to distinguish from those of the original illness, but in general, the following signs are suggestive of dehydration; increasing thirst, dry mouth, weakness or light headedness (particularly if worsening on standing), darkening of the urine, or a decrease in urination. Severe dehydration can lead to changes in the bodys chemistry, kidney failure, and can even become life-threatening. The best way to treat dehydration is to prevent it from occurring. If you suspect excessive fluid loss during an illness, your doctor should be notified. Intravenous or oral fluid replacement may be needed, depending on severity of fluid loss. In the 1960s the World Health Organization (WHO) developed an oral solution containing sugar, which improved the absorption of salt/water preparations, saving the lives of many dehydrated persons in remote areas. This solution can be prepared at home by mixing the following: Table Salt - 3/4 teaspoon Baking Powder - 1 teaspoon Sugar -4 tablespoons Orange juice - I cup Water - I litre This beverage can be taken in small, frequent sips, and is often tolerated in the face of nausea and vomiting. Several commercial preparations are available, but since their composition varies, your physician should be contacted to decide which replacement solution (if any) is best. Changes in the type or amount of fluid replacement may be needed as symptoms improve. Care must be taken to avoid using these solutions improperly. Food intake should be continued if at all possible, except for high fibre fruits and vegetables. There is controversy regarding ingesting milk products since the ability to absorb milk sugar (lactose) may be reduced. The prior policy of bowel rest seems to do more harm than good except in certain circumstances. Dehydration in Children Only a physician can diagnose dehydration, but parents can watch for some obvious signs: a dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes, a reduction in urination, and skin that stays compressed when pinched. Paediatric guidelines are: For diarrhoea with no dehydration, feed the child normally and give supplemental commercial re-hydration fluids within four to six hours after a diarrheal episode. If the diarrhoea persists, call the childs doctor. For diarrhoea with mild dehydration, take the child to a physician. The child should be given oral re-hydration fluids in the doctors office, with food and re-hydration fluid continued at home. For moderate or severe dehydration, the child should be treated in a health-care facility. Moderate dehydration may be treated orally, but severe dehydration requires intravenous fluids. John Young is a corrective exercise specialist, and holistic health practitioner, who specialises in exercise rehabilitation, deep tissue massage therapy and manual lymphatic drainage massage therapy. John qualified as a practitioner in the UK. USA & Hungary John currently runs a massage and rehabilitation clinic in Putney south west London. He can be contacted at the clinic on the reception telephone number 02087857220 visit our website atmassageandrehabilitationclinic or email him on jypt@hotmail
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 08:04:03 +0000
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