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Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalances
Dehydration is not a disease but a condition characterized by the body's depletion of fluid (water). Dehydration may also be accompanied by salt (sodium, chloride), or another electrolyte imbalance in the body. If not treated, severe dehydration can lead to a lowering of the blood pressure and death. Dehydration commonly results from protracted vomiting, diarrhea, or an inadequate fluid intake over an extended period of time. Many disease processes may be accompanied by one or more of these symptoms. Elderly patients, diabetics, and infants are at increased risk for dehydration.
COMMON CAUSES FOR DEHYDRATION
1. VOMITING secondary to gastroenteritis
2. DIARRHEA secondary to gastroenteritis
3. ELDERLY patients taking diuretic medications (drug side effect)
4. Heat exhaustion
5. INFANT with an infection (poor fluid intake)
6. Diabetic in diabetic ketoacidosis. Common symptoms of dehydration include weakness, lightheadedness upon standing, fainting, nausea, and low grade fever. Findings will include postural hypotension, dry mouth, marked decrease in urine output, and lethargy--particularly in infants. Confusion can be experienced in the elderly patient who is dehydrated with an electrolyte imbalance. Evaluation will include history and physical examination. Blood tests for CBC, blood chemistry, and kidney profile may reveal chemical or salt imbalances that could warrant hospitalization. An EKG may be necessary in some cases of low (or high) potassium. A search for the ultimate cause of the dehydration or electrolyte imbalance will be undertaken by the physician. Treatment will be based, in part, on laboratory findings. Those patients with salt or electrolyte imbalances will likely require admission to the hospital for IV fluid administration. Patients with uncontrollable diarrhea or vomiting may require hospitalization. Elderly patients, diabetics on insulin therapy, and infants often require inpatient care. Patients with very high (or low) blood potassium may require EKG monitoring.
SIGNS OF MORE SERIOUS DEHYDRATION
1. DECREASED URINE OUTPUT
2. LETHARGY, SLEEPINESS, OR CONFUSION
3. RAPID PULSE (OVER 100 BEATS PER MINUTE)
4. FAINTNESS OR FAINTING UPON STANDING
5. INABILITY TO RETAIN ORAL FLUID
6. DRY MOUTH (particularly in infants)
See the doctor IMMEDIATELY if any of the above exist.
TIPS ON MAINTAINING ADEQUATE HYDRATION
1. DRINK PLENTY OF CLEAR LIQUIDS (Gatorade, water, or juices).
2. TAKE SMALLER AMOUNTS OF WATER MORE OFTEN TO LESSEN VOMITING.
3. MONITOR PULSE AND URINE OUTPUT (You should be urinating at least several times a day. See the User's manual for information on taking your pulse).
4. AVOIDANCE OF MILK OR DAIRY PRODUCTS CAN LESSEN DIARRHEA.
5. SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN EARLY FOR ANY CASE OF SUSPECTED DEHYDRATION.
Hope this article will provide you information about dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
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