Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

Do you recognise the symptoms and indications of dehydration? If not, you might endanger your health. When the body does not have enough water to operate correctly, dehydration can happen. Numerous health issues, some of which are very significant, might be brought on by it. We’ll go into great detail about the symptoms and indicators of dehydration in this blog post. Additionally, we will offer advice on how to stop it from happening. 

What is the Dehydration Percentage in Australia?

According to Couriermail, 80% of Australians suffer from symptoms typical of dehydration, and the majority don’t recognise key symptoms. The most common symptoms affecting Australians are lethargy (62%) or loss of energy (51%). The research also showed that less than one in 10 Australians (6%) associate problems with concentration and mental impairment with dehydration, despite it being a common symptom for most (56%).

What are the Early Signs of Dehydration?

Early signs of dehydration, or considered mild dehydration, could give you the following signs and symptoms:

1. Feeling thirsty
2. Dry mouth
3. Headache
4. Dark yellow urine
5. Dizziness or lightheadedness
6. Reduced level of urine output

What is Severe Dehydration?

Severe dehydration has signs and symptoms of extreme versions of the early symptoms. Severe dehydration includes:

1. Extremely thirsty
2. Very dry mouth
3. No sweat
4. Sunken eyeball or cheeks
5. Little to no urine
6. Low blood pressure
7. Increased heart rate
8. Fever
9. Delirium
10. Fainting

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration in Children and Infants?

1. A sunken soft spot on the top of the head (sunken fontanel)
2. Irritable
3. Dry tongue and mouth
4. No production of tears when crying
5. No wet diapers for 3 hours or more

People at Risk of Dehydration

Not only people who are exposed to the sun directly are at risk for dehydration. In fact, among the athletes who frequently experience the disease are bodybuilders and swimmers. As strange as it may seem, you can perspire while swimming. Swimming causes swimmers to sweat a lot.

Dehydration is more likely to affect some persons than others, including:

1. people working outdoors who are exposed to excessive amounts of heat – welders, landscapers, construction workers, and mechanics
2. older adults – they are prone because they already have lower fluid content in the body, underlying medical conditions, or even decreased thirst 
3. people with chronic conditions – chronic conditions such as diabetes are prone to dehydration because of diabetic thirst and excessive urination
4. athletes – especially runners, cyclists, and soccer players
5. swimmers – swimmers sweat a lot underwater
6. Infants and young children are more likely to get sick from dehydration because they need more fluids daily (because they have a higher metabolic rate), lose more water through evaporation (because they have a larger surface area to volume ratio), and can’t tell you they’re thirsty or want to drink. Children and older adults should get treatment immediately, even if they only have mild symptoms of dehydration.
7. people who reside in high altitudes – due to increased urine output, dryer air, and more rapid breathing because of lack of oxygen, resulting in a more significant loss of bodily fluids.

Seek immediate medical attention if anyone of any age group exhibits any of the following symptoms:

1. severe diarrhoea
2. blood in the stool
3. diarrhoea for 3 or more days
4. inability to keep fluids down
5. disorientation

How to Prevent Dehydration?

You can follow these simple steps to help you prevent dehydration:

1. Drink plain water often. 
2. Always carry water with you when you leave the house. 
3. Seek cool or shady places when you are out of the house.
4. Be mindful of dehydration when doing outdoor activities.
5. Take extra hydration and care during extreme exposure to heat.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

The Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council recommended water consumption for adults. The body must retain a minimal amount to maintain a tolerable solute load for the kidneys. Excluding perspiration, the normal water turnover is approximately 4% of total body weight in adults. In a 70 kg adult, this is equivalent to 2,500-3,000 mL/day.

What are the First Aid Courses You Can Study In CPR First Aid Australia?

– If you need a general First Aid qualification, we recommend the HLTAID011 Provide first aid. This also includes CPR qualification. The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) suggests that this qualification is updated every 3 years.

– If you want to update your CPR qualification, we recommend HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) recommends updating this qualification annually.

– If you are looking for a first aid qualification to work in the childcare industry and require Anaphylaxis and Asthma training ONLY, then you should consider HLTAID012 Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting.

– If you are working with children, you may also be required to obtain first aid training qualifications in Asthma and Anaphylaxis. You need to check with the employer before enrolling so that the client gets the proper training for their circumstance.

Please note that you still need to confirm with your employer first what qualification you need to take before you book in.

In Australia, workplaces must follow occupational health and safety regulations – amongst others, these specify that businesses and care organisations must have personnel on staff with current, recognised workplace-approved CPR and first aid training.

Click here to view a full list of CPR First Aid courses currently available on RTO’s scope of registration.

Click here to find CPR and first aid Courses near you.

ABOUT CPR FIRST AID

RTO No. 21903: CPR First Aid was founded in 2007. We specialise in providing first aid training in CPR, asthma, and anaphylaxis for various workplaces, including childcare, schools, and other industries in NSW, VIC, SA, WA, and QLD. We are a Registered Training Organisation with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (No 21903). Our courses and Units are VET-accredited for workplaces in Australia

Conclusion

Dehydration could lead to life-threatening complications. Knowing how to differentiate the signs and symptoms of dehydration at early and severe stages could make you perform the correct management. Make sure to drink enough water. Water is undoubtedly beneficial; we need to do proper hydration habits.

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