Dehydration is certainly one of the medical disorders that are no longer foreign to your ears. In general, dehydration occurs when the body does not have sufficient fluid levels. As a result, the sufferer must increase fluid intake to replace fluids and electrolytes from the body. Although mild to moderate dehydration can be treated at home, understand that more severe conditions should be treated immediately by a doctor. If the symptoms of dehydration get worse or don't get better despite treatment at home, immediately see a doctor!
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Method 1 of 4: Treating Acute Dehydration in Children
Step 1. Evaluate the severity of dehydration to ensure it is safe when treated at home
In general, mild to moderate dehydration can be treated at home. However, very severe dehydration in children generally should be treated immediately by a doctor.
- Symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration in children include thirst, dry or sticky mouth, crying without tears, irregular urination, dark yellow urine, skin that feels dry or cool to the touch, headache, and muscle cramps.
- Some of the symptoms of severe dehydration are sunken eyes, tiredness, irritability, dizziness, lethargy, increased heart rate, and unconsciousness. In toddlers, an area that looks sunken on the head is also one of the symptoms of severe dehydration.
Step 2. Prepare an oral rehydration solution
While the amount your child needs will depend on their age, in general, you can follow the instructions on the liquid packaging. Use a spoon or dropper to give 1 to 2 tsp. (5 to 10 ml) of oral rehydration fluid to the child every minute. Do this process for at least 3 to 4 hours, or until the color of your child's urine is clear again. Also increase the frequency periodically as the child's urge to vomit subsides.
- Oral rehydration fluids contain a balanced amount of water and salt so that they are able to hydrate the child's body as well as replace the electrolyte levels that are lost from the body.
- Remember, room temperature liquids are usually the easiest for your child to swallow, especially if he or she is feeling nauseous or is vomiting constantly.
Step 3. Continue to breastfeed your toddler as usual
If your child is still on breast milk or formula, continue to feed them when they are dehydrated. However, try reducing the dose and increasing the frequency of feedings if your child seems to have difficulty swallowing liquids.
- For babies who are on formula and have diarrhea, try switching to a lactose-free type until their condition improves. Remember, lactose may be difficult for your baby to digest and make diarrhea and dehydration worse.
- Do not dilute formula milk more than the instructions given by your doctor.
- You may have to alternate between giving your baby an oral rehydration solution and breast milk/formula. For example, give a mouthful of oral rehydration solution each time your child drinks a bottle of breast milk or formula.
Step 4. Do not allow children to consume foods and drinks that are negative risk
In fact, certain types of food and drink can worsen dehydration in children, so they should not be given until the child's condition has completely improved. In particular, do not give milk, caffeine, undiluted fruit juices, and gelatin to children. Caffeine can make dehydration worse, while milk, fruit juices and gelatin can exacerbate diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. As a result, all of them risk making the child's health deteriorate quickly.
- Water can be a dangerous drink for children who are dehydrated. Because the content of salt and minerals in the child's body will decrease when dehydrated, water runs the risk of diluting the concentration of various essential minerals that are no longer in the child's body.
- In addition, energy drinks can only replace the electrolyte content that is lost through sweat. That is why, if dehydration occurs due to diarrhea or vomiting, energy drinks will not be able to replace the mineral content that is lost from the body.
Step 5. Prevent dehydration from recurring by monitoring the child's body condition continuously
After the child's body is hydrated again, keep monitoring its condition to prevent dehydration from recurring.
- Increase the amount of fluids consumed by children when they are sick, especially if the child has diarrhea or is vomiting. Breast milk and formula are the best options for toddlers, while water, popsicles, watered juices, and ice cubes are the best options for older children.
- Don't allow your child to eat foods that can make his dehydration worse or make him want to vomit. Some of them are foods that are fatty, high in sugar, containing complex carbohydrates, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables.
- Fever and sore throat can make it difficult for your child to drink fluids. That is why, children who experience these symptoms generally should also take acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Method 2 of 4: Treating Acute Dehydration in Adults
Step 1. Evaluate the severity of dehydration to determine the appropriate treatment method
Generally, mild to moderate dehydration in adults can be treated at home without risking complications. However, severe dehydration should immediately be checked by a doctor!
- Adults who are mild to moderately dehydrated may have increased thirst, have a dry or sticky mouth, have difficulty urinating, pass urine that is dark yellow in color, have skin that feels dry or cool to the touch, headaches, and muscle cramps.
- Generally, adults who are severely dehydrated will experience symptoms such as not wanting to urinate, passing urine that is yellow-brown in color, having haggard skin, irritability, confusion, dizziness, having an increased heart rate, having eyes that look sunken, lethargic, experiencing shock., has delirium, or is unconscious.
Step 2. Consume clear fluids to hydrate the body
Water and drinks that contain electrolytes are the best options for consumption in this condition. In general, you should take as much of both as possible as long as you don't feel nauseous or have the urge to vomit.
- Most adults need to consume 2 to 3 liters of fluid per day.
- If your dehydration is due to nausea or a sore throat, try sucking on ice cubes or popsicles made from fruit juices or energy drinks.
- Although electrolyte imbalance in adults is not as dangerous as electrolyte imbalance in children, don't underestimate the condition. Instead, try taking oral rehydration fluids or energy drinks to replace some of the electrolytes you lose from dehydration. In particular, oral rehydration fluids are the best option for treating dehydration caused by a specific medical disorder, while energy drinks are more suitable for treating dehydration due to fatigue.
Step 3. Cool down your body so you don't lose more fluids
Since acute dehydration is often caused by exposure to excessive heat or accompanied by an increase in body temperature, try to cool your body to prevent it from losing more fluids.
- Just wear one layer of loose clothing to keep your skin from suffocating.
- Sit in a cool place. If possible, stay in a building equipped with air conditioning. If not, at least stay in the shade or near a fan.
- Cool the skin with water. Compress your forehead and neck with a damp towel, and spray lukewarm water onto skin that isn't covered by clothing.
- Remember, the cooling process must be done gradually, especially because exposure to excessive cold temperatures risks rupturing your blood vessels. As a result, the body's internal temperature will actually increase. Therefore, never compress the skin with water or an ice pack to cool it.
Step 4. Manage symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders leading to dehydration
If dehydration is caused by vomiting or diarrhea that is very severe, immediately manage the cause by changing your diet and taking medication to prevent your body from losing more water.
- In many cases, over-the-counter loperamide can treat diarrhea. However, do not take this medicine if you also have a fever or have stools mixed with blood.
- Use acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen to control your fever, especially since ibuprofen can irritate your stomach lining and make your vomiting worse.
- Focus on consuming clear or colorless beverages, including broth and gelatin, in the first 24 hours. As the frequency of diarrhea and vomiting decreases, you can start eating bland-tasting foods.
Method 3 of 4: Treating Chronic Dehydration in Adults
Step 1. Increase your fluid intake throughout the day to avoid dehydration
The average adult male needs to consume about 3 liters of fluid per day, while adult women need about 2 liters of fluid per day. Try to balance your fluid intake with that number, or consume slightly more fluids than the recommended amount.
- Remember, the "liquid" referred to above is any liquid, not just water.
- Also understand that certain types of drinks are better for the health of the body. For example, water, herbal teas, energy drinks, and other drinks that contain electrolytes can help hydrate your body, while drinks containing caffeine (such as coffee, soda, black tea) or alcohol can actually make your dehydration worse.
Step 2. Consume fruits and vegetables that are high in water content
Fruits and vegetables that have a high water content are effective in replacing body fluids lost when dehydrated. Because both are also very rich in nutrients, salt, and sugar, surely the electrolyte balance in the body will also improve after consuming them.
- Bananas are one of the most popular options for hydrating the body, especially since they are 75% fluid! In addition, bananas are also very rich in potassium, a mineral whose levels tend to decrease as your dehydration worsens.
- Other types of fruits and vegetables that are worth consuming to hydrate the body are watermelon, tomatoes, grapes, peaches, strawberries, cranberries, apples, black berries, apricots, cucumbers, broccoli, and zucchini.
Step 3. Drink decaffeinated tea to prevent dehydration
In particular, chamomile tea is very beneficial for treating chronic dehydration. However, most herbal teas or teas that do not contain caffeine can also be consumed because they have similar benefits to replace fluid levels lost from the body.
Chamomile tea is classified as a natural pain reliever and is highly recommended for consumption when dehydration occurs. Generally, when the body is dehydrated, the muscles in the stomach will start to cramp. Chamomile tea is a very effective natural remedy for hydrating the body as well as relieving cramps that appear
Step 4. Try consuming coconut water to hydrate your body and replace lost electrolyte levels
Since coconut water is very rich in electrolytes, chronically dehydrated patients are advised to consume it instead of plain water.
- Among the various nutrients it contains, iron and potassium are the two types of vitamins that dominate. In particular, levels of both are the most rapidly reduced when the body is dehydrated.
- Remember, coconut water is different from coconut milk. To treat dehydration, coconut water is a better option to use.
Step 5. Soak in Epsom salt solution so that the body can absorb the mineral content in it
First of all, fill the bath with hot water, then dissolve 250 to 500 ml of Epsom salt in it. Once the salt has dissolved, soak it in the tub for about 15 minutes.
- Your skin will absorb the magnesium content in the solution. As a result, the symptoms that accompany chronic dehydration such as inflammation, fatigue, or pain should subside.
- The sulfate content in salt water can also increase the body's ability to absorb nutrients. As a result, the body can repair electrolyte levels in it more easily.
Method 4 of 4: Knowing When to Seek Medical Help
Step 1. Consult a doctor if your condition or your child's condition does not improve even though fluid intake has been increased
Supposedly, mild or moderate dehydration can be treated after taking oral rehydration solutions or other fluids. If the symptoms do not improve or get worse afterward, see a doctor immediately to get a more appropriate treatment.
Dehydration that does not go away can make the body's condition worsen quickly. That is why, the condition must be treated by a doctor immediately
Step 2. Get emergency treatment if symptoms of severe dehydration begin to appear
Severe or extreme dehydration may make you or your child feel confused, and feel dizzy or lightheaded. In addition, severe dehydration can also cause extreme fatigue even though the sufferer's body has been rested. If one or more of these symptoms appear, immediately seek emergency treatment at the nearest clinic or hospital.
Don't worry, your body or your child can recover quickly after receiving treatment. That's why you don't have to wait too long to see a doctor
Step 3. See a doctor immediately if you cannot swallow liquids
If you have difficulty swallowing fluids, then how do you replace lost body fluids? This means that the condition will make your health deteriorate more quickly. That is why, you should immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
For example, you should be wary if you are constantly spitting up drinks you are drinking or have trouble swallowing any drinks
Step 4. See your doctor if you have diarrhea that doesn't go away for more than 24 hours
Diarrhea is one of the biggest causes of dehydration, and its presence can cause very severe symptoms in sufferers. When diarrhea lasts for more than 24 hours, your body automatically has lost a lot of fluids and needs the help of a doctor to restore it.
When you have diarrhea, your body releases fluid with every bowel movement. That is why, diarrhea patients should increase their fluid intake while the recovery process takes place
Step 5. See a doctor if your stools are black or mixed with blood
While it's generally nothing to worry about, it can be a sign that you're severely dehydrated or have another medical problem. Therefore, consult a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations.
Step 6. Replace lost fluids with intravenous fluids if you are severely dehydrated
In fact, intravenous fluids containing saline are the best medicine to replace body fluids lost in a short time. Generally, the process will be carried out by a doctor at the hospital, and can restore your body's condition more quickly. Try talking to your doctor about these options if you or your child is severely dehydrated.
