Headaches, dizziness, and or dryness in the mouth are just some of the common signs of dehydration, experts say. However, many people think this is normal and do not seek medical assistance.

Francis Kazungu, a general practitioner in Kigali, says that sometimes, people do not take enough fluids because of their tight daily schedules, and others simply choose not to.

This, he says, is very dangerous as it may cause dehydration and that if and when it becomes serious, it can be fatal.

He notes that the human body is roughly 75 per cent water and that without this water, the body can’t survive, and therefore, refilling the water in our body that has been lost is vital.

"We lose water constantly from our body throughout the day and this is through sweating, breathing, and urinating. Therefore, it’s important for one to replace it by taking a lot of fluids to avoid complications,” he says.

CAUSES

Raymond Awazi, a paediatrician at Heritage Clinic in Kicukiro, says anyone can be dehydrated, but the condition is worse in children than adults.

He explains that dehydration occurs when one uses or loses more fluids than they take in, and the body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out normal functions.

"The most common cause of dehydration in young children is severe diarrhoea and vomiting, unlike in adults, because they have a naturally lower volume of water in their bodies, and may have conditions or take medication that could increase the risk of dehydration,” he says.

He adds that even illnesses, such as infections affecting the lungs or bladder can result in dehydration in adults.

If one doesn’t drink enough water and other fluids, anyone, regardless of their age, can develop dehydration. And this is even worse in athletes,” he says.

Awazi says that one of the most common causes of being dehydrated is diarrhoea. He explains that this is so because diarrhoea prevents the large intestines from absorbing water from the food matter leading to the body to excrete a lot of water, thus dehydration.

Another cause, he says, is vomiting, adding that this leads to loss of fluids in the body and makes it difficult to replace water by drinking it. Also, sweating leads to dehydration whereby the body’s cooling mechanism releases a significant amount of water.

"Hot weather and physical exercise can increase fluid loss through sweating leading to dehydration. Also, when one has a high fever, it can cause an increase in sweating making the patient dehydrated, especially if there is also diarrhoea and vomiting,” Awazi says.

HOW TO TELL

Kazungu says symptoms such as thirst, darker urine, and decreased urine production are some of the signs that indicate one is dehydrated.

He points out that urine colour is one of the strongest indicators of a person’s hydration level and that having clear urine means one is well hydrated.

However, Kazungu says that it is important to note, particularly in adults, that dehydration can be present without thirst. This is why it is important to drink lots of water, especially when ill.

If one is suffering from diabetes, they are more likely to be dehydrated than one who doesn’t have the condition.

Kazungu says that this is so because the high blood sugar levels cause increased urination and fluid loss. Additionally, frequent urination also leads to dehydration.

"Frequent urination is usually caused by uncontrolled diabetes, or alcohol and some medications,” he adds.

TREATMENT

Yvan Ntwari, a general practitioner at Galien Clinic in Remera, says that treating dehydration is to try and restore the body’s normal fluid volume and balance of electrolyte levels. And this applies to mild or moderate dehydration.

"The most common treatment of dehydration, especially for adults, is drinking plenty of fluids like water, diluted fruit juice, sports drinks that contain electrolytes, among others,” he says.

Ntwari adds that one can try drinking small amounts of water more frequently if they are not used to it. However, he warns that one should at all costs avoid sugary drinks and caffeinated beverages.

In children, Awazi says that when they are dehydrated, they should not be given substantial amounts of water, adding that too much water can further dilute the already low levels of electrolytes and lead to more complications.

"Instead, they should be given diluted fruit juice or a rehydration solution which is available over the counter. A teaspoon or syringe may be helpful in giving fluids to children,” he says.

Ntwari advises that it’s important to seek medical attention in case of dehydration in children as serious dehydration can lead to complications or even death.

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