Medical

Chronic Dehydration: How UR.Life OHC Nurse Can Help

Severe heat waves and long working hours can make you forget about hydration, but it comes with consequences. Chronic dehydration can happen to anyone, especially at work. Here is how a UR.Life OHC nurse can help.

By Namami

06 Mar 2023

The amount of water the average person should consume each day seems to change every year; some guidelines propose 1 litre, some advise drinking half your body weight, and others advise drinking to satisfy thirst rather than downing a set amount. Even while recommendations seem to vary frequently, one thing is certain, even moderate dehydration can have a negative impact on your health over time.

Chronic dehydration necessitates medical intervention because, if untreated, the body is forced to function without enough water, putting strain on the organs, impairing their performance, and increasing the risk of illnesses like low kidney function, kidney stones, hypertension, urinary tract infection, intestinal failure, high blood pressure, and even dementia.

The 1998 Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (USA) found the adequate intake of water is :

For males: aged 19–30 years, it recommends 3.7 litres per day.
For females aged 19–30 years, it recommends 2.7 litres per day.

However, there is no scientific or clinical consensus for precise values of daily water requirements. Someone can become dehydrated if they lose as little as 3% of their body weight from lack of water intake.

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Symptoms of Chronic Dehydration

Some of the tell-tale symptoms of dehydration are well known to all:

Thirst
Tiredness
Dizziness
Light-headedness
Muscle cramps
Dry mouth
Less urine
Urine that’s dark yellow or even light brown in colour
Headache
Dry skin or tongue
Fainting
Confusion
Fast heart rate and breathing
Headache
Tongue feels like sandpaper
Faint or lightheaded

Although minor dehydration is treatable with just 2 to 3 cups of water, it is fairly common . Symptoms of chronic dehydration can also make other medical issues worse and lead to serious illness. Symptoms can lead to serious chronic diseases such as diabetes.

In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Nutrition Research, Stavros Kavouras and his team tested the effects of dehydration in nine men with Type 2 diabetes and found that the subjects' glucose metabolism was impaired after just three days of dehydration.

Reasons for Chronic Dehydration

Chronic dehydration occurs when a person consistently loses more water than they are taking in over a long period of time. Some causes of chronic dehydration include:

Not drinking enough fluids
Following a diet low in foods with a high water content, such as fruits and vegetables
Exercise and sweating
Excessive heat
Living in warmer climates
Working outdoors
Prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea
Taking diuretic medications such as antacids and laxatives
Certain underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, alcoholism, and adrenal gland disorders.

How Is Dehydration Treated?

According to a 2018 study titled ‘Public Knowledge of Dehydration and Fluid Intake Practices’ by the National Library of Medicine (USA), the risk of developing urinary tract infections, renal stones, dental caries, and constipation increases due to dehydration. It is recommended to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, your age, and your general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. You also may be treated for diarrhoea, vomiting, or a high fever if it is illness-caused dehydration.

For moderate to severe dehydration, you may need IV (intravenous) fluids. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency. It needs to be treated right away with IV fluids in a hospital.
For mild dehydration, you can drink fluids. You may need to restore not just water, but also electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. You can also drink water, coconut water or fruit juices.
You can have food that satisfies your thirst such as cucumber, watermelon, celery, and strawberries.
Don't have drinks with caffeine. These include energy drinks, tea, soda, and coffee. Don’t drink alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol may cause your body to lose more water.

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The Best Nursing Experience At UR.Life OHC

With the UR.Life Occupation Health Center, we help you to invest in your health goals through seamless interventions and targeted medical treatments. Our holistic wellness approach caters to all aspects of your well-being, we ensure that you are able to bring your whole self to work. With our medical professionals by your side, routine health goals will never be an issue. Our nursing experience include:

Ambulance service
IV fluids
On-site medical and first aid equipment
Doctors and nurses on site
Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)
Electrolyte drinks

With our medical professionals by your side, routine health check-ups will never be an issue. Advanced laboratory technologies back UR.Life Occupational Health Centers (OHC), and with highly qualified experts/technicians, we’re committed to delivering trusted and quality recommendations, modifications and advice to you.

Click here to learn more about the UR.Life OHC and unlock better health.