Know the signs of dehydration...
Just a repeat warning I like to give out. Dehydration is the #1 reason post WLS people reenter the hospital...Know the signs and be careful out there...
Dehydration in Adults Overview
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the loss of body fluids, mostly water, exceeds the amount that is taken in. With dehydration, more water is moving out of our cells and then out of our bodies than the amount of water we take in through drinking.
We lose water every day in the form of water vapor in the breath we exhale and as water in our sweat, urine, and stool. Along with the water, small amounts of salts are also lost.
When we lose too much water, our bodies may become out of balance or dehydrated. Severe dehydration can lead to death.
Causes of Dehydration in Adults
Many conditions may cause rapid and continued fluid losses and lead to dehydration:
- Fever, heat exposure, and too much exercise
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination due to infection
- Diseases such as diabetes
- The inability to seek appropriate water and food (as in the case of an infant or disabled person)
- An impaired ability to drink (for instance someone in a coma or on a respirator or a sick infant who cannot suck on a bottle)
- No access to safe drinking water
- Significant injuries to skin, such as burns or mouth sores, or severe skin diseases or infections (water is lost through the damaged skin)
Symptoms of Dehydration in Adults
The signs and symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include:
- Increased thirst
- Dry mouth and swollen tongue
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Palpitations (feeling that the heart is jumping or pounding)
- Confusion
- Sluggishness fainting
- Fainting
- Inability to sweat
- Decreased urine output
Urine color may indicate dehydration. If urine is concentrated and deeply yellow or amber, you may be dehydrated.
When to Seek Medical Care
Call your doctor if the dehydrated person experiences any of the following:
- Increased or constant vomiting for more than a day
- Fever over 101°F
- Diarrhea for more than 2 days
- Weight loss
- Decreased urine production
- Confusion
- Weakness
Sip sip sip...Stay on top of it, rather than playing from behind. If you feel like you are getting that way, you can keep sipping, but I would add a small amount of salt to your diet. I would also go to things like spinach, tomatoes, kidney or lima beans (Wendy's Chili...Taking out the meat so early on). Also things like milk, yogurt, bananas, avocados, broccoli all are fairly high in potassium. The question is...Which foods can you handle? If you had the VSG some of these foods may be easier to digest, while others may be harder. Most people who end up in the hospital just go on a few IVs and are good to go the next day. Just know the warning signs. Brian
Don't forget the pinch test. The pinch test is when you gently pinch up a bit of skin on the back of your arm. If you're not dehydrated, it snaps back to its normal position as soon as you let go. If you're dehydrated, it'll stay in that pinched up shape for a couple seconds. It's called "skin tenting."
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
