Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much fluid through illness, sweating or exercise. Mild dehydration can cause dry mouth and dark urine, while moderate dehydration adds lightheadedness and muscle cramps. Severe dehydration requires emergency help and can cause fainting, inability to walk, and loss of consciousness. The elderly are more vulnerable as water metabolism declines with age. Dehydration disrupts electrolyte balance, with too much sodium or too little potassium potentially causing seizures, coma or abnormal heart rhythms. Drinking fluids is crucial to restore balance and prevent further health issues from dehydration.

1. Dehydration Symptoms, causes, risks, treatment and more…

2. 3 facts about dehydration Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much fluid. Fluid can be lost through illness, sweating or exercise. Dehydration can cause muscle cramping.

3. One reason not to ignore it Severe dehydration decreases the fluids in the body. Fluids help the blood to travel to organs. Without this, the body can go into shock.

4. Signs of mild dehydration Dry mouth and sticky saliva Reduced urine which is a dark yellow Listless behavior Increased thirst.

5. Signs of moderate dehydration Extreme thirst Dry inside mouth and eyes will not tear Decreased urination, with urine that is damp amber or brown Lightheadedness (relieved by lying down) Irritable or restless Arms or legs are cool to the touch Rapid heartbeat Muscle cramps

6. Signs of severe dehydration: Call 911 or emergency services Altered behavior Faintness not relieved by lying down Inability to stand or walk Rapid breathing Weak, rapid pulse Cold, clammy skin or hot dry skin Little or no urination for 12 or more hours Loss of consciousness.

7. Why is it worse for the older adult? Water metabolism changes with aging. This is due to a decrease in total body water, decrease in intracellular water, and a decreased thirst perception.

8. Some medicines may cause dehydration Antihistamines Blood Pressure Medicines Chemotherapy Diuretics Laxatives Psychiatric medicines

9. If you are mildly dehydrated Rest Take off extra clothes if you are warm Rehydrate with 2 qt. of cool liquids over the next 2 to 4 hours. Continue to drink. It may take as long as a day and a half to replace the fluids that you have lost. Consult a professional if you become less alert, dizzy or lightheaded, or if symptoms become more severe or frequent.

10. Dehydration causes an electrolyte imbalance. Dehydration produces a higher amount of sodium and a lower amount of potassium, which are electrolytes. A very high sodium level can cause confusion, paralysis, coma, and seizures. Although there is not an immediate problem, extended time with low potassium levels may produce less insulin, which may increase the amount of sugar in the body. If the potassium level becomes very low, fatigue, confusion, and muscle weakness and cramps typically occur. A very low potassium level can cause paralysis and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

11. Hypernatremia Hypernatremia is the term for an excess of sodium in the body. It often affects hospitalized patients with existing conditions like diabetes and diarrhea. Treatment involves a slow replenishing of liquids through drinking or I V.

12. Hyponatremia Hyponatremia is the other side of hypernatremia. It results from too many liquids or drinking too quickly. This is the most common electrolyte imbalance. People with kidney disease may experience this.

13. Symptoms & treatment Symptoms of hyponatremia include fatigue, weakness, nausea and headache. These can escalate into confusion, seizure, coma and death if treatment is not received. The goal of treatment is to restore electrolyte balance. Sodium must be added slowly.

14. Don’t get dehydrated…DRINK! Drink this To prevent this

15. Sources Nutrition Review , June 63 (6): S22-9. Strategies for ensuring good hydration in the elderly, by M. Ferry. Retrieved from: http://www.heartspring.net/thirst_electrolytes_elderly.html . Dehydration: Topic Overview. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/tc/dehydration-topic-overview Problems with Electrolyte Imbalance. Retrieved from: http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/sec3/ch18/ch18d.html Developed by Mary Burns Prine 4/21/2009