Good for the elderly
Mild dehydration is generally addressed by encouraging the sufferer to drink more fluids via their mouth. Generally speaking, it is preferable to have the individual consume anything that contains electrolytes, such as a commercial rehydration solution, a sports drink, juice, or even bouillon. However, in the majority of situations, simply drinking water or tea will suffice.
Although dehydration in the elderly can be life-threatening, it is both avoidable and treated in many cases.
You or your child’s doctor is most likely the first place you’ll go for help.
Depending on the severity of your dehydration, you may need to see a doctor to be treated with intravenous (IV) fluids. If you have severe dehydration, you may need to go to the hospital. If you have any of the following symptoms, get medical care right away:
Some suggestions for preventing dehydration in the elderly are as follows:
An elderly person suffering from dehydration might expect to make a full recovery if the condition is treated immediately and efficiently by a trained medical expert. The inability to manage dehydration may cause many health consequences such as urinary tract disorders, kidney stones, and even renal failure if left untreated for an extended period of time.
In addition to experiencing cramping in the limbs, someone who is dehydrated may also feel generally sick. They may get agitated and have problems falling asleep as a result. Dehydration with a weak, quick pulse and breathing that is faster than normal are signs of more severe dehydration. Other symptoms include severe muscular cramps and spasms and a swollen stomach.
You should drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids every day, at a minimum. Here are some straightforward suggestions to help you achieve your goal while still getting adequate water. Drinks should be consumed throughout the day. Get a reusable water bottle with a straw and fill it halfway with plain water before you leave the house.
A nonprescription oral rehydration drink available over-the-counter (OTC), Pedialyte is safe and effective for people of all ages, including children over the age of 1, adults, and elderly adults. It aims to correct electrolyte imbalances induced by dehydration in the body.
Your kidneys may become less functional as you grow older, resulting in a fluid imbalance in your body that can be dangerous. Because your body’s water composition decreases as you grow older, you become dehydrated far more quickly than you did when you were younger.
While Gatorade may not be the greatest choice for treating disease-related dehydration, it is a superior alternative for treating dehydration produced by sports training.. Gatorade has a higher concentration of carbs, which helps to boost performance by minimizing tiredness.
Unless your senior is in poor condition and requires electrolytes right away, this is perfectly OK. Sugary beverages such as Gatorade, on the other hand, are not a good beverage choice for those who have diabetes or other diseases that need them to limit their sugar consumption.
Dehydration in Seniors: The Most Common Symptoms
6 strategies to encourage seniors to drink more water
When it comes to determining hydration state in the elderly, skin turgor (elasticity) has been noted in a few studies, although the majority of them report that it has limits. A measure of turgor is normally performed by plucking a section of skin and timing how long it takes for the skin to return to its baseline condition; readings more than 2 seconds are indicative of dehydration.