January 29, 2010

Dehydration & Fatigue

Posted in Category : Common Ailments

Dehydration is a state of the body wherein the most important component for normal and healthy functioning – water – has been leached out, and has not been replenished. There can be various causes for dehydration. Excessive exposure to the sun is one of them. Another is prolonged diarrhea. Vomiting, sweating, or any kind of condition wherein the body tends to lose fluid due to the inability to retain it and cannot replace this loss can also result in dehydration. The fluid lost also has electrolytes, which are essential for stamina and energy build up. The most important thing to guard for when suffering from dehydration is the body going into shock and coma. Sometimes, if the case of dehydration becomes prolonged, it can also lead to kidney failure. The muscles can start going into spasms and this can cause their arrest. In order to guard against all of these things, it is best to not to allow the problem to extend further and reach a critical stage. In the beginning, dehydration can lead to a lot of tiredness. When this stage becomes recurrent, it can be called fatigue. Constant fatigue can become an irritant, not to mention a problem from which one will have to work hard to overcome.

The only way to deal with fatigue caused due to dehydration is to resolve the problem of dehydration. This can be done by regulating water intake to the body. Apart from this, it is also essential to replace electrolytes that have been lost during the loss of water. This can be done by drinking water that has been electrolyzed. This is easily available over the counter in most pharmacies. Apart from this, it is essential to also add a lot of liquids to the diet. As a matter of fact, the diet should comprise of soups, clear broths, sugary waters and all sorts of icicles and popsicles. It is possible that the patient may even develop a fever during the course of this problem. If the fever stays after the water content is replenished in the body, steps can be taken to control it. In most cases, over the counter fever controlling medication is extremely effective and it is also highly recommended. Apart from this, complete rest is also a must. It is always good to be aware that if these problems continue for more than a week or so, then medical help as well as supervision is required.