The A&E departments in north Cumbria have seen a marked increase in the numbers of people coming in because of effects of dehydration.
This is particularly our more frail and elderly community.
Dr Adrian Clements is the medical director at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS trust he warned:
“We are experiencing unusually warm weather at the moment and that’s good for many people, however for our frail population it’s absolutely critical that they drink plenty of fluids and keep out of the sun. Maybe friends and relatives can help by checking in to see if others are ok and help with the use of a fan. We have seen a number of attendances in relation to heat and I think that it really important that people look after themselves in this glorious weather.
“Drinking plenty water is the most effective way for adults to avoid dehydration. If you are sick take little sips often. Infants and small children who are dehydrated shouldn’t be given large amounts of water alone however. This is because it can dilute the already low level of minerals in their body too much and lead to other problems. Instead, they should be given diluted squash or a rehydration solution (available from pharmacies). You might find a teaspoon or syringe can be helpful for getting fluid into a young child.”
Dehydration is a very serious condition. It can cause someone to be more at risk of:
· Injuries from falling. It can cause disorientation and confusion causing you to fall.
· Heatstroke; a heat injury, ranging in severity from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion or potentially life-threatening heatstroke.
· Urinary and kidney problems Prolonged or repeated bouts of dehydration can cause urinary tract infections, kidney stones and even kidney failure.
· Seizures: due to an imbalance of electrolytes in your body
· Low blood volume shock (hypovolemic shock). This is one of the most serious, and sometimes life-threatening, complications of dehydration. It occurs when low blood volume causes a drop in blood pressure and a drop in the amount of oxygen in your body.
How to know if you’re dehydrated:
Some of the early warning signs of dehydration include:
· feeling thirsty and lightheaded
· a dry mouth
· tiredness
· having dark coloured, strong-smelling urine
· passing urine less often than usual
What to do
The body is affected even when you lose a small amount of fluid.
If you’re dehydrated, drink plenty of fluids such as water, diluted squash or fruit juice. These are much more effective than large amounts of tea or coffee. Fizzy drinks may contain more sugar than you need and may be harder to take in large amounts.
If you’re finding it difficult to keep water down because you’re vomiting, try drinking small amounts more frequently.
If left untreated, severe dehydration can be serious and cause fits (seizures), brain damage and death.
Helping someone you care for
A person you care for may not have a sense of how much they’re drinking. You can help them by:
· making sure they drink at mealtimes
· making drinking a social thing, like “having a cup of tea”
· offering them food with a high water content – for example, soup, ice cream, jelly and fruits like melon
Drinking plenty of water is the easiest and most effective way to avoid dehydration
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get advice from 111 if you have any of the following symptoms;
· you’re feeling unusually tired (or your child seems drowsy)
· you’re confused and disorientated
· you feel dizzy when you stand up and it does not go away
· you have dark yellow pee or you’re peeing less than normal (or your baby has fewer wet nappies)
· you or your child are breathing quickly or has a fast heart rate
· your baby or child has few or no tears when they cry
· your baby has a soft spot on their head that sinks inwards (sunken fontanelle)
These can be signs of serious dehydration that need urgent treatment.
CHILDREN:
Infants and small children who are dehydrated shouldn’t be given large amounts of water alone as the main replacement fluid. This is because it can dilute the already low level of minerals in their body too much and lead to other problems. Instead, they should be given diluted squash or a rehydration solution (available from pharmacies). You might find a teaspoon or syringe can be helpful for getting fluid into a young child.
A baby may be dehydrated if they:
· have a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on their head
· have few or no tears when they cry
· have fewer wet nappies
· are drowsy
Once dehydration has been treated, it’s important that your child’s fluid levels are maintained.
Do
· carry on breastfeeding your baby or using formula – try to give small amounts more often than usual
· give your baby small sips of extra water if they’re on formula or solid foods
· give regular small sips of rehydration solution to replace lost fluids – ask your pharmacist to recommend one
· give small children their usual diet
Don’t
· do not make formula weaker
· do not give young children fruit juice or fizzy drinks – it can make diarrhoea or vomiting worse
If you are worried about someone 111 are able to give you advice. In urgent and life threatening situations always dial 999.
