Antoinette Banks, 63, experienced a headache, dry mouth, fatigue, and short spurts of dizziness throughout the course of her workday. Instead of seeking medical attention, she sloughed off her symptoms. “How do you spell s-t-u-p-i-d? ME!,” says Antoinette laughingly. “Luckily, I was at work when I passed out. I was rushed to a hospital, and the diagnosis was dehydration,” says the Brooklyn, New York resident. “Now, I am drinking more than enough water. Lightning does not have to strike me twice!”
Dehydration is serious business, especially for older adults, and should never be taken lightly. Blacks, and Hispanics are especially susceptible to the debilitating condition according to clinicians.
What is dehydration?
Dehydration takes place when you lose more fluids than you actually take into your system. Since the human body is comprised of 75 percent water, without this liquid, we simply cannot exist. Under normal conditions, we all lose body water daily through sweat, tears, breathing, urine, and stool. In a healthy person, this water is replaced by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water.
Symptoms of dehydration
- Thirst
- Dark yellow and strong smelling urine
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth, lips, eyes
- Urinating very little
- Headache
Symptoms of extreme dehydration
- Lack of sweating
- Sunken eyes
- Shriveled and dry skin
- Increased heart rate
- Delirium
- Fever
- Low blood pressure
- Unconsciousness
- Confusion (this is most noticeable in seniors)
If you suspect dehydration in an elderly loved one, you can check for a decrease in skin turgor (elasticity of your skin) by pulling up the skin on the back of the hand for a few seconds; if it does not return to normal almost immediately, the person is dehydrated.
Who gets dehydrated?
Anyone can become dehydrated, young and old, but some folks are more prone to it:
- We know that seniors are less able to conserve water in the body and but they may also suffer from conditions or take meds that can increase their risk of dehydration
- People who suffer from illnesses like diabetes, dementia, kidney disease; seniors who have mobility issues and cannot easily access water to quench their thirst
- If you’re an athlete, work or exercise outdoors when it is hot and humid, dehydration can occur because the body’s temperature can increase and as a result, there is a need for more fluids
- Certain medications like diuretics and a few blood pressure meds can make you urinate more which can lead to dehydration
- Vomiting can cause a loss of fluids
- Diarrhea is the most common cause of dehydration where the body excretes way too much fluid
Complications
Hydration is vital for every single bodily function and process in order to remain active and healthy. Depriving the body of fluids can lead to serious complications such as:
- Seizures
- Kidney issues like urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or eventually kidney failure
- Low blood volume shock which is life-threatening
- Heat-related injury resulting in cramping, exhaustion, or heat stroke
Treatments
When dehydration is the diagnosis, replenishing lost fluids is the way to go. Usually, when someone is dehydrated, a physician will recommend the consumption of clear liquids like water, broths, ice pops, or sports drinks like Gatorade.
And if you want to hydrate with energy drinks–DON’T! Energy drinks are not the same as sports drinks. Energy drinks usually contain large amounts of caffeine. Also, they contain ingredients that overstimulate you (guarana, ginseng, or taurine). These are things your body doesn’t need. Most of these drinks are also high in added sugar, so steer clear of them!
If the dehydration is related to an illness, a doctor will treat the underlying condition. If a patient has diarrhea, they might be given an anti-diarrheal medication. If someone is vomiting, an antiemetic drug can help them stop.
Severe cases of dehydration will require intravenous fluids to fulfill the body’s needs for them.
How to prevent dehydration
The key to preventing dehydration is to consume not only fluids but hydrating foods that have a high concentration of water like healthy fruits (watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers) and veggies (spinach, mushrooms, lettuce). Beverages such as coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol are not recommended as cures for those who are dehydrated, even though these liquids can hydrate, they only do so to a very small extent.
Seniors should be carefully monitored to make sure they are consuming enough daily fluids because they are prone to dehydration. Dehydration in older adults is a frequent cause of hospitalization (one out of ten most frequent admitting diagnoses for Medicare hospitalizations according to the Health Care Finance Administration), and it can be life-threatening, if severe.
If your loved one is in a nursing home, make sure that there is a hydration program in place that includes assisting them with drinking fluids not only with meals but in-between as well!
How much fluids are enough to prevent dehydration? The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. The adequate intake for women is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day. The recommendations are for adults aged 51 and older.
Tips to keep you hydrated
- Keep a bottle of water with you during the day. To reduce your costs, carry a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water.
- If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime to it.
- Drink water before, during, and after a workout.
- When you’re feeling hungry, drink water. Thirst is often confused with hunger. True hunger will not be satisfied by drinking water. Drinking water may also contribute to a healthy weight-loss plan. Some research suggests that drinking water can help you feel full.
- If you have trouble remembering to drink water, drink on a schedule. For example, drink water when you wake up, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and when you go to bed. Or drink a small glass of water at the beginning of each hour.