This document discusses dehydration, including its causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. It notes that dehydration occurs when the body takes in less water than it loses and doesn't have enough fluid for normal functioning. Symptoms range from mild thirst and dark urine to severe symptoms like rapid heartbeat, confusion, and shock. Treatment involves oral fluid replacement with water, juice, or electrolyte drinks. Prevention is the best approach through drinking adequate fluids daily, especially for at-risk groups like children, elderly, and those with medical conditions or who exercise or live in hot climates.

1. Cathy Kauffman
BSN RN CCM
Director Medical Management
Do You Have a Drinking
Problem?

2. Introduction
 Millions of people in the US have a
drinking problem.
 75% of the human body make up is
water
 1% of the world’s water sources are
drinkable
 20% of your fluid comes form food
 Water helps to regulate your body
temperature
 Elderly people do no always feel thirst

3.  Occurs when the body takes in less
water than is releases
 You do not have enough water and
other fluid to carry on normal body
functions
 If you do not replace these fluids, you
will become dehydrated
Dehydration: What is it?

4. Symptoms of Dehydration
 Dehydration is classified as mild, moderate or
severe
 Mild to Moderate Symptoms
◦ Thirst
◦ Reduced urination
◦ Dark color to urine
◦ Dry or sticky mouth
◦ Cool dry skin
◦ Headaches
◦ Muscle cramps

5. Symptoms of Dehydration
 Severe Dehydration
◦ Dry shriveled skin
◦ Irritability or confusion
 Dizziness or light headedness
 Rapid heartbeat (over130)
 Rapid breathing
 Sunken eyes
 Unconscious or delirious‘
 Shock (lack of blood flow through the body)
 Urinary tract infection (especially the elderly)

6. Who is Affected?
 Children and the elderly are most
vulnerable
 People with chronic conditions
 People who take certain medications
such as dieuretics
 Any of us who engage in outdoor work
or vigorous exercise, especially during
hot weather, without drinking adequate
fluids
 People who are ill and experiencing
vomiting and diarrhea

7. Treatment of Dehydration
 Oral fluid replacement (Emergent IV fluid replacement)
◦ Juice or sport drinks
◦ Water
◦ Electrolyte drinks (Gatorade)
 Loosening or taking off clothing
 Lying down with feet elevated
 Homemade replacement drink (age 12 and above)
◦ 1 quart of water
◦ 6 tsp of sugar
◦ ½ tsp of table salt

8.  You can usually reverse mild or
moderate dehydration by drinking
adequate fluids/water
 Severe dehydrations requires
immediate medical attention
 Best treatment is to prevent in the first
place. Be aware of how much fluids
you are losing during exercise, work or
illness
Prevention – The Best
Medicine

9. Treatment of Dehydration?
 Fluid replacement
 Caution: too much water causes
Hyponatremia (reduction of body salt
content)

10.  Men – 13 cups per day
 Women – 10 cups per day
 Pregnant Women – 10 cups per day
 Breastfeeding Women = 13 cups per
day
How Much to Drink?

11. Do You Need to Drink More?
 You may need more water if you can’t
think straight
◦ 2% loss of body fluid causes a decline in
mental functioning
 If you exercise
◦ 2-3 cups of water before exercising
◦ 1 cup water every 15-30 minutes
 If you live in a hot climate
◦ Even if not physically active, living in 90
degree climate can double your fluid
requirement

12. Do You Need to Drink More?
 If you live at a high elevation
◦ 4000 or more feet of elevations requires 8 more
oz. a day
◦ Take more water with you when going hiking
 Have a fever
◦ Dehydration can worsen a fever
◦ Sipping fluids while sick helps prevent
dehydration
◦ See a doctor if symptoms of fever continue for 2
or more days

13. Do You Need to Drink More?
 GI Symptoms
◦ Have vomiting or diarrhea
◦ Chronic inflammatory bowel disease
 If you have a hangover
◦ 1-2 drinks should not cause dehydration
◦ Overindulging may cause headache,
upset stomach, dehydration
 You drink caffeine
◦ Caffeine is a dieuretic; increases urination
◦ High energy drinks may cause
dehydration

14. QUESTIONS?