Morocco lives under: sunburn, heatstroke or sunstroke? What are the causes of dehydration?

HIBAPRESS-RABAT

Dehydration broadly defines a lack of water and, sometimes, mineral salts inside the human body. Since water plays an essential role in the proper functioning of the body (the adult human being is made up of an average of 60% water), a lack of water can quickly lead to an alteration in the functioning of the body.

To illustrate this point, it is considered that a human being cannot survive more than 2 to 3 days without drinking. Depending on the symptoms and the physiological state of the person (see below), it is possible to speak of mild dehydration, moderate dehydration or severe dehydration.

What are the causes of dehydration in babies and adults?

Every day, human beings constantly lose water (through urine, sweat, etc.). When these water losses are not compensated by an equivalent intake, the individual is exposed to a risk of dehydration. In most cases, the causes of dehydration are:

Insufficient water and mineral salt intake;

An episode of diarrhea and/or vomiting;

Certain chronic diseases, such as unbalanced diabetes;

Taking laxative medications;

Excessive alcohol consumption (diuretic effect);

Excessive sweating (in hot weather and/or during intense and prolonged physical effort);

An episode of fever, especially in a child or an elderly person.

What are the signs, symptoms and risks of dehydration?

Symptoms of dehydration differ depending on whether it is mild, moderate or severe dehydration and on the person’s age.

Dehydration in infants and children

Infants and young children under two years of age are vulnerable to the risk of dehydration. In infants and young children, water loss can be very rapid. Parents or caregivers should therefore be vigilant in the event of:

Of an abnormally apathetic infant or young child;

An infant or young child who sleeps much more than usual, and is difficult to wake;

Unusual behavior in an infant or young child;

From accelerated breathing;

Of grayish skin;

Dehydration in adults and the elderly

In adults and the elderly (as vulnerable as infants), the symptoms of dehydration vary between:

The feeling of thirst, more or less intense;

Dry lips, dry mouth, dry tongue;

Weight loss;

A feeling of fatigue and/or loss of energy;

A decrease in urine;

Loss of appetite;

A state of drowsiness;

Disorientation and/or dizziness;

Disturbances of consciousness.

Urine color is a good indicator of whether an individual is drinking enough water. Dark (concentrated) urine is a sign of insufficient water consumption.