Signs of Dehydration......Just a Friendly Reminder

I am going to give everyone a FRIENDLY reminder - dehydration is a BAD thing for anyone, but for Bariatric patients (pre & post op) it can lead to a plethora of issues ---- keep these things in mind if you start feeling a little off...  also I would suggest posting this list on the refrigerator for those you are supported by, because sometimes WE are very stubborn and do not listen to our bodies....Listen and act accordingly!  Once you begin to feel some of these signs, it is already too late.  You are ALREADY dehydrated.  Call your surgeon and take action!!
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The Causes of Dehydration
There are many things that can cause dehydration, the most common are vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, malnutrition, and plain old failure to replenish liquids lost from sweating and urination (Not drinking enough water). Many illnesses and diseases can trigger acute dehydration due to the increased body temperature and sweating that usually occur. This is why your doctor tells you to drink plenty of fluids when you are ill. Your body uses fluids to expell toxins as well as to keep your system flexible, lubricated and running smoothly. 
 
The Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration
Symptoms of dehydration usually begin with thirst and progress to more alarming manifestations as the need for water becomes more dire. The initial signs and symptoms of mild dehydration in adults appear when the body has lost about 2% of it's total fluid. These mild dehydration symptoms are often (but not limited to):

Thirst
Loss of Appetite
Dry Skin
Skin Flushing
Dark Colored Urine
Dry Mouth
Fatique or Weakness
Chills
Head Rushes

If the dehydration is allowed to continue unabated, when the total fluid loss reaches 5% the following effects of dehydration are normally experienced:

Increased heart rate
Increased respiration
Decreased sweating
Decreased urination
Increased body temperature
Extreme fatigue
Muscle cramps
Headaches
Nausea
Tingling of the limbs

When the body reaches 10% fluid loss emergency help is needed IMMEDIATELY! 10% fluid loss and above is often fatal! Symptoms of severe dehydration include:

Muscle spasms
Vomiting
Racing pulse
Shriveled skin
Dim vision
Painful urination
Confusion 
Difficulty breathing
Seizures
Chest and Abdominal pain
Unconciousness

Be aware that these are not the only symptoms of severe dehydration that may manifest in response to dehydration, these are simply the most common. Symptoms of dehydration will differ from person to person because the body is a complex network of systems and everyone's body is different. When these systems are disturbed due to loss of fluids there will be several common symptoms shared by most bodies, but there may also be unusual or unexpected responses depending on the particular person in question. Age also plays a part in the manifestation of symptoms. Signs of dehydration in a child will not be the same as those experienced by a teenager, adult or in the elderly. Dehydration prevention is the best treatment for every age group. heatstroke is always around the corner.
 
Treatment for Dehydration
If dehydration is the removal of water from an object, then the treatment of dehydration to reverse it's effects would logically be rehydration.

When a person becomes dehydrated they have also lost electrolytes so it is very important to replenish them along the water. The type of electrolytes needed for rehydration are sodium and potassium salts usually found in sports drinks like Gatorade and pediatric formulas like Pedialite. Electrolytes are needed for electro-chemical reactions within cells. A lack of electrolytes in the body can interfere with the chemical reactions needed for healthy cell operation and is known as water intoxication. This can become a serious condition and has lead to death in extreme cases.

If a person is showing minor symptoms give them plenty of water and let them drink it very slowly, in small sips. Electrolytes are also important to replace. Electrolytes can be readily had from Gatorade or Pedialite. They are also found in salty foods but eating any food while dehydrated will only dehydrate the body more since fluids are required for digestion. If Gatorade or Pedialite are not available, slowly replenish the bodies liquids with water and follow that up after symptoms have subsided with a small salty snack or a very light meal.

If a person is showing some of the more severe symptoms of dehydration as listed above, call an ambulance immediately. He or she may be past the point where ingestion of the proper fluids will help; get them medical attention immediately.
 
Prevention of Dehydration
The average person looses between two and three litres of water a day through the breath, sweat, and urine. This number can increase or decrease based on the types of activities that a person engages in. Heavy exercise can cause a body to loose more than 2 litres an hour! To prevent dehydration you simply need to replenish the liquids that are lost throughout the day. Many resources and sites will tell you to drink 8 glases of water a day, or give you a set number of litres to drink but the honest truth is that every BODY is different and only you will know how much your BODY needs.

Only YOU can know how much water YOU need to be at your best. Thats righ****ER. Not soda, not juice, not sugar-drinks. Pay attention to your fluid loss and take special care to repleni**** as it is being lost. By the time you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated - you want to avoid becoming thirsty in the first place. Pay attention to the color of your urine, dark urine is usually an indicator that you are dehydrated. Drink more water. 
 
Disclaimer:  The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Read and follow to the letter.  This is EXTREMELY important!

Thanks again, Ruth!

Been there/done that-it is so not fun.

One of the things I experienced was lip tingles as well as hand/feet tingles-and several big bruises from falling.  If you get to that point, you are going to need expert help in getting your electrolytes back on track.  And it is incredible how much BETTER you will feel after a few minutes of the right IV solution. 

One thing that bears pointing out is that the confusion sneaks up on you, and you will be making bad decisions (oh, I'll just wait this out) before you realize you are in trouble.  If you are out hiking or doing the many wonderful things we can now do for the first time in years, make SURE you have water with you at all times. 

(And that goes for your pets too) 

Actually took my mother to the ER the night before for dehydration. She *refused* to believe that it was a big deal, but thankfully my step-father and I were able to drag her in. At that point she was beyond the 10% mark... lots of painful vomiting and completely out of her mind. Now I'm fighting the same bug and sipping :) Thanks for this list!