Dehydration Indicator
After my recent experiences with dehydration, ok for the last 2-1/2 years, Dr. Bob, my sports physician and nutritionist has come up with an easy way to see if I'm dehydrated. By taking my blood pressure. If it's really low, like it was the other day, I'm really dehydrated. So now I check it myself several times a day. I'm still learning the amount of fluid my body needs. Even at 70 ounces my blood pressure was low, so I know I need more than that until I get to a consistant blood pressure.
"Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave. Our birth is nothing but our death begun."
Below is a copy and paste from the Mayo Clinic...
Dehydration Symptoms and Signs
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In many cases rapid weight loss means dehydration. During some days the person can lose up to several kilograms. Rapid weight loss, more than 10% of the total weight is considered harmful.
Dehydration symptoms are difficult to distinguish from symptoms of other diseases, but in general mild dehydration has the following early signs and symptoms:
- High thirst.
- Dry mouth and adhesive saliva.
- Reduced urination, when the urine color becomes dark yellow.
- Fatigue.
Secondary dehydration symptoms include:
- Extreme thirst.
- Dryness of the mouth; crying without tears.
- Reduced urination, or half of the normal urination amount for 24 hours (usually 3 or fewer urination). The urine is dark yellow or brown.
- Slight dizziness.
- Cold feet and hands.
- Increased heart rate.
- Loss of appetite.
Severe dehydration may be presented by one or more of the next symptoms:
- Changes in behavior, such as increased sense of fear, embarrassment, inattention.
- Dizziness, which does not disappear when the victim lies down.
- Inability to get up and walk.
- Hurried breathing.
- Weak, rapid pulse.
- Cold and sticky skin, or hot and dry skin.
- Decreased or no urination for 12 hours or longer.
- Loss of consciousness.
In the case of severe dehydration there is no enough fluid to bring the blood to vital organs in the body. Severe dehydration should be treated in hospital. If you notice any severe dehydration symptoms, immediately call an ambulance or other medical service.
After intensive or continuous vomiting or diarrhea throughout the day it is very probably some of dehydration symptoms follow, such as:
- high fever;
- weight loss;
- reduced urination;
- stupefaction;
- weakness.
Take the patient into the hospital, if he/she has:
- High temperatures above 39 ° C;
- Unconsciousness;
- Lethargy;
- Headache;
- Seizures;
- Trouble breathing;
- Chest pain;
- No urination for 12 hours.
