Signs Of Dehydration And How It Affects The Body

Signs Of Dehydration And How It Affects The Body

Dehydration.
Answer:

Dehydration Definition:

• Significant decrease in water content of the body is known as dehydration.

Dehydration Classification:

1. Based on amount of fluid loss.

1. Mild dehydration – fluid loss is about 5%.
2. Moderate dehydration – fluid loss is about 10%.
3. Severe dehydration – fluid loss is about 15%

2. Based on ratio between water loss to sodium loss.

1. Isotonic dehydration – balanced loss of water and sodium
2. Hypertonic dehydration – more of water loss than sodium
3. Hypotonic dehydration – more of sodium loss than water.

Dehydration Causes:

• Severe diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Excessive urinary output due to
  1. Renal disorders.
  2. Endocrine disorders.
• Excessive sweating
• Insufficient intake of water.
• Use of diuretics.

Dehydration Features:

• Mild to moderate dehydration lead to
  • Dryness of mouth.
  • Decrease in sweating
  • Decrease in urine formation.
  • Excessive thirst
  • Decrease in elasticity of skin.
• Severe dehydration lead to
  • Decrese in blood volume and cardiac output.
  • This leads to hypovolemic shock.
• Very severe dehydration leads to
  • Damage to vital structures.
  • Coma
  • Renal failure.