Reducing Your Dehydration Risk
The human body contains about 50 to 70 percent water. Water is an essential nutrient that our bodies need to function. It is the base of blood, urine, sweat, and saliva. Water is also responsible for helping regulate body temperature, transport nutrients through blood, and rid the body of waste.
While water is essential for health, many older adults lack adequate hydration, putting them at a high risk for dehydration. Furthermore, many older adults suffering from dehydration often have their signs and symptoms overlooked.
The good news is that dehydration is a preventable condition. If you’re an older adult or caring for one, knowing the causes of dehydration is essential to reduce the risk.
What Causes Dehydration?
Dehydration means the body doesn’t have enough fluids for optimal function. Usually, this happens when the body loses more fluids than it’s taking in. You can lose fluids in many ways, most commonly through sweating and urination. However, you can also have an increased risk of dehydration if you are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.
While everyone is susceptible to dehydration, older adults are at a higher risk because of age-related changes to their bodies, such as a lack of thirst sensation. Older adults can also be at an increased risk if they take prescription medications or have a chronic illness that affects how their body stores and uses water, such as diabetes.
Tips To Reduce Dehydration Risks
Dehydration is preventable. Understanding your risks and taking precautions to keep yourself hydrated is essential for maintaining your body’s fluids.
- Drink water. The easiest way to ensure you stay hydrated is to drink water. Try drinking small glasses of water consistently throughout the day.
- Understand how prescriptions alter your hydration. Talk to your doctor about side effects from your medications, such as diarrhea that may increase your risk of dehydration.
- Replenish your electrolytes. When you sweat and urinate, your body loses minerals like sodium and potassium—replenish those electrolytes through supplements and diet.
- Keep yourself cool. The hotter your body, the more you’ll sweat. Stay inside on hot summer days and limit your physical activity to help reduce sweat.
What To Do If Dehydration Occurs
Dehydration can come in different stages, triggering different signs and symptoms. The initial stages of dehydration can cause increased thirst, dizziness, dry mouth, and fatigue. During this first stage, hydrating your body with fluids is important. Take small sips of water or eat foods with high water content, such as watermelon or cucumbers. You can also try an electrolyte supplement to help replenish minerals and retain more water.
More severe stages of dehydration can cause confusion, fainting, increased heart rate, shock, and seizures. Severe dehydration for an older adult is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Doctors can treat severe dehydration by providing hydration therapies to replenish fluids and electrolytes while monitoring symptoms.
Staying Hydrated With Visiting Angels
Dehydration can happen to anyone, but having a reliable caregiver in your corner can help reduce your risk and keep you safe if dehydration occurs. Caregivers with Visiting Angels are trained to help senior clients live safely and comfortably at home by providing nonmedical services. This includes monitoring seniors for water intake, ensuring medication schedules are adhered to, and taking the appropriate precautions when dehydration might be a risk.
You can learn more about Visiting Angels and our at-home caregiving services by contacting our Farmington, New Mexico office and scheduling a complimentary consultation.