Sixers are asked to read this article about the Dangers of Dehydration, and to follow the recommendations herein.

Definition of dehydration

• A fall in the water content of one's body, often accompanied by loss of salt, one of the most important minerals in the body. In men 60% of body weight is water, in women 50%. It is imperative to maintain the Body fluids which contain a variety of mineral salts within the very narrow concentration limits make sure body functions properly.

Prevention

• Keep out of mid-day sun if possible
• Wear a hat (the head being a large organ that picks up heat from sun)
• Restore lost fluids and salts. Drink plenty of water even if not thirsty
• Replace lost salts (e.g. electrolytes)
• Drink plenty of bland fluids slowly and often
• Take bland foods (e.g. dry bread) or starchy foods (e.g. mashed potatoes)
• Maintain bland foods and drink plenty of bland fluids for 24 hours
• Take isotonic drinks (fluid replacement powders), 2 in a bottle of water twice a day or 1 teaspoon of salt in a litre of water and 4-5 teaspoons sugar in water, or diluted orange (this provides potassium).

Symptoms

• Reduction in output of urine, which becomes dark and concentrated
• Severe thirst
• Cramps
• Dry lips and tongue
• Tachycardia
• Fast breathing
• Lightheadness and confusion
• Eventually lapse into coma and die if untreated.

Possible causes

• Loss of salt and fluids by sweating - can cause cramp so stretch and massage muscles and drink plenty of fluids particularly water.
• Food poisoning
• Drinking contaminated water
• Perhaps eating exotic foods
• Diarrhea
• Polyuria in diabetes or kidney failure
• Series blood loss through injury or an badly bleeding ulcer in GI tract
• Sweating - in a temperate climate an adult loses 1.5 litres of more a day from sweating,
• Peeing and loss of fluid through lungs.
• In a hot climate one can lose up to 10 litres if one is doing hard physical work, e.g. playing cricket in Chiang Mai (?), and drinking little water and lots of alcohol
  

Treatment

1. restore lost fluids and salts - drink plenty of water even if not thirsty.
2. replace lost salts - e.g. electrolytes.
3. drink plenty of bland fluids slowly and often*.
4. bland foods - e.g. dry bread*.
5. starchy foods - e.g. mashed potatoes
6. take isotonic drinks
7. fluid replacement powders, 2 in a bottle of water twice a day or
   1 teaspoon of salt in a litre of water and 4-5 teaspoons sugar in water, or diluted orange (this provides potassium).

*Maintain 3 and 4 for 24 hours.

Severe dehydration Treatment

Need intravenous fluids, perhaps hospitalisation to monitor intake and output and control rehydration.

Hilary Neve MSc