Hypertonic Dehydration: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
Dehydration is a condition when the body lacks the desired amount of fluids and electrolytes. Eventually, when your body doesn’t receive appropriate amounts of electrolytes like sodium or potassium, dehydration stays for long!
Likewise, not all dehydrations are the same. It is one such condition where an individual faces an imbalance of water and sodium levels in the body. In this condition, the body excretes too much water without excreting electrolytes at the same time, leaving the fluid that surrounds cells with a high sodium concentration.
To know more about hypertonic dehydration in detail with interesting insights, read below and boost your knowledge.
Symptoms
In the initial phase of this condition, you might not notice any evident symptoms. But in severe cases, symptoms can be worse.
Some common symptoms of hypertonic dehydration include:
- Feeling fatigued
- Dark color urine
- Dry skin or lips
- Less frequent urine
- Extreme thirst
- Severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Low skin elasticity
- Muscle cramps
- Low blood pressure
- Intense confusion
As you must be well aware of the symptoms, let’s discuss the main reason behind this state.
Know More: Dehydrated Tongue & How to Treat It
Hypertonic Dehydration Causes
It can happen to anyone not consuming enough fluids and losing it all through sweat.
Most evidently it is seen among children and older adults. The reason is that medical ailments like diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus can cause this type of dehydration among individuals.
Also, when infants may not get the right balance of nutrients they need, it may result in hypertonic dehydration.
Have a look at some of the major causes seen among many people:
- Low level of fluid intake
- Excessive sweating
- Dehydration leads to Diarrhea and vomiting
- Overexposure to heat
- Gastric suctioning
- Consuming diuretics like weight loss pills and medications for high blood pressure can lead to extreme levels of dehydration.
- Alcohol consumption causes Diuresis (promoting water loss through urine leads to dehydration).
- Development of severe burns
- Use of laxatives
- Abdominal infections
- Kidney diseases
Well! The above-mentioned causes may look very dangerous to you but they can be treated easily with some home remedies. Read below to know more about it.
Treatment
Treatment for an individual varies from the symptoms and severity of the disease. The same goes for hypertonic dehydration.
- Oral rehydration therapy: The most effective and easy way to treat dehydration points out at oral rehydration solutions like ORS solution. The ultimate goal is to replenish fluids to balance out the higher concentration of sodium in the body. It is a complete combination of sugar, electrolytes, and salt. The major benefits of the ORS solution include good hydration, preventing fatigue, better focus, and good dental health.
- Lemon water: The most effective and cheapest way to keep yourself hydrated is by adding a few drops of lemon to your water bottle. Along with required hydration to overcome hypertonic dehydration, it will add flavor. As a bonus, you will get loads of vitamin C too.
- Fresh Juices: Packed juice drinks contain added sugars, flavor additives, and preservatives which can cause more harm than good. Freshly squeezed juices are a great way to rehydrate and provide the necessary nourishment to your body. Try these juices for a perfect blend of hydration and health benefits. Squeeze the juice of 3 carrots, add some grated ginger for flavor and you have a healthy drink filled with beta carotene.
- Electrolyte-infused drinks: Electrolyte-infused drinks like electrolyte water are liquid infused with electrically charged minerals like magnesium, potassium, sodium, and calcium. It is highly recommended because it has the right amount of these minerals particularly to help improve hydration and boost your overall health.
- Coconut water: Coconut water– this incredible electrolyte drink is famous due to its inherent benefits. It is power-packed with naturally low sugar content and contains a high dosage of electrolytes such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium. Alongside, it is a healthier alternative to juices, traditional sports drinks, and sodas. It will provide instant relief from hypertonic dehydration.
Check Out: What to Eat When Dehydrated?
Bottom line:
Healthy fluid-electrolyte balance is the ultimate goal to cure hypertonic dehydration. When you’re in a state of dehydration, water alone is not enough. Your body needs the perfect balance of sodium and glucose to increase absorption. With the precisely balanced ratio in ORS solutions or other favorable drinks like lemon water or coconut water, you can replenish vital electrolytes and fluids to relieve dehydration quickly.
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