What is meant by dehydration (dehydration)?

Every day, people lose about two liters of water through breathing, sweat and urine. Consumption of water-containing foods such as vegetables can ensure that the body has sufficient fluid available. In addition, sufficient water should be consumed.

If the organism needs fluid, a feeling of thirst usually sets in. But in stressful situations, when traveling, in unusual temperature conditions or as a result of a disturbed sense of thirst, it can happen that too little water is taken in.

If the body excretes more water than is supplied, a fluid deficiency occurs. The dehydration of the body is popularly known as dehydration. In medicine, on the other hand, the process of dehydration is titled dehydration and the lack of water itself is titled exsiccosis. In the process, water is split off.

The opposite of dehydration is hydration. Here, too much water is absorbed and may exert pressure on the brain. Drainage is prevented.

Dehydration may take the following forms:

Isotonic dehydration: the body lacks sodium and body water in equal proportions.

Hypotonic dehydration: the body has a higher amount of water than sodium.

Hypertonic dehydration: the body has a higher amount of sodium than water.

Possible causes of dehydration

The affected person drinks too little: Those who take in too little water and sweat or exercise at the same time lose water and salts.

The affected person suffers from diarrhea: severe diarrhea leads to the electrolyte balance being disturbed and water being lost. For example, flu can cause the body to become dehydrated.

The affected person suffers from vomiting: Water and electrolytes can also be lost via the esophagus and the oral pharynx.

The affected person has another viral or bacterial infection: Generally, illnesses resulting from an infection, such as pneumonia or meningitis, can cause a lot of fluid to be excreted and little fluid to be consumed.

The affected person is bleeding: blood loss triggered by menstruation, internal bleeding or external injuries can lead to dehydration.

The affected person suffers from burns: Severe burns are skin injuries. The body can lose water via any damage to the skin layers.

The affected person’s kidney is failing: kidney failure is associated with the kidney functions being suppressed. In this case, no or too little urine is excreted. During treatment, water deficiency may occur due to increased urinary output.

The adrenal cortex is dysfunctional: stress or physical activity can trigger dehydration if Addison’s disease is present.

The affected person is diabetic: diabetes mellitus may be associated with increased urinary output, vomiting and nausea. For this reason, there is a risk of dehydration.

The affected person takes dehydrating medication: In cases of edema, high blood pressure or heart disease, medications are often prescribed that can lead to fluid loss.

What is the difference between dehydration and dehydration?

The term dehydration (or dehydration) describes the process of dehydration of the human body. But can the term “dehydration” be used synonymously?

What is “dehydration”?

Although the term dehydration is also used colloquially for a disturbed water balance, in chemistry it describes a chemical reaction. This is because dehydration involves the splitting off of hydrogens from a chemical compound.

This usually involves two H atoms and two electrons. In biochemistry, dehydrogenases, special enzymes, are responsible for the process of oxidation. This process produces reduced substrates.

If zinc chloride, sulfuric acid or other water-splitting agents are present, the alcohols react under heat to form the alkenes. On a large scale, the dehydration of alcohols can be carried out with catalysts.

Dehydration, on the other hand, describes the loss of fluids. Here, to avoid symptoms, tap water or mineral water should be consumed. The following are considered to be beneficial to health
Hydrogen water
, also called H2.

What are the symptoms of dehydration?

• Thirst
• Dry skin
• Dry mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, joints and vagina.
• Headache
• Low urine output
• Dark urine
• Dizziness
• Palpitations
• Sunken eyes
• Wrinkles
• Low blood pressure (<100 to 60 millimeters of mercury in women and <110 to 60 millimeters of mercury in men).
• Restriction of daytime, normal or everyday consciousness

Dehydration – what to do?

For those who suspect mild dehydration and have been slightly under hydrated throughout the day, water balance can be brought back into balance within the next few hours. This is possible by drinking as much as possible.

However, if symptoms occur that go beyond a dry mouth, dark urine, or difficulty concentrating as a result of reduced fluid intake, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Dehydration: Which people are particularly affected?

Dehydration often affects the elderly. This is because they often suffer from a disturbed sense of thirst and for this reason can no longer assess whether they are taking in enough fluid. One sign may be confusional states that occur even though dementia is not diagnosed.

How to prevent dehydration

Many people drink too little and misinterpret the symptoms. But how do you protect yourself from dehydration or dehydration? Since the body constantly excretes water through the breath, skin and urine, it makes sense to ensure adequate fluid intake every day. This can be implemented with simple means. To get an overview of the amount consumed, a water diary can be helpful.

The following applies: Thirst is always a sign that the body needs water. To prevent dehydration from occurring in the first place, it is therefore worthwhile to drink in advance – and not only as a result of feeling thirsty.

How much water should you drink per day?

Experts recommend a fluid intake of 1 to 3 liters per day to avoid dehydration. Daily water consumption should not be below or above the specification. As an alternative to water, unsweetened tea or broth can be drunk.

Health can also benefit from consuming filtered water. Pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, fertilizers and pollutants from water pipes can be reliably removed in this way. Who also does not
drink calcareous water
or would like to prolong the life of the electrical equipment, reaches for a special lime filter.