Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Salih Demir said that dehydration leads to fainting and loss of consciousness in advanced levels.
Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Salih Demir listed the first symptoms of dehydration, which leads to fainting and loss of consciousness in advanced levels, as “excessive thirst, dry mouth and throat, fatigue and weakness, decrease in the amount of urine and dark urine”. He pointed out that recognizing the symptoms early will prevent serious health problems.
Acıbadem Eskişehir Hospital Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Salih Demir said that with the increasing temperatures in these days, our body loses excess water and causes “dehydration”. Stating that dehydration occurs when the body takes less fluid than it needs or loses excessive fluid, leading to serious health problems, Dr. Demir said that this condition is more common with the increase in temperatures, especially in summer months; insufficient fluid intake, excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting can also cause dehydration; In addition, he explained that some diseases such as fever and diabetes can also increase fluid loss.
“If fluid loss increases, it may lead to fainting and loss of consciousness”
Emphasizing the need to recognize the early signs of dehydration to prevent serious health problems, Dr. Demir said: “The severity of these symptoms varies according to the amount of fluid loss. Early symptoms include excessive thirst, dry mouth and throat, fatigue and weakness, decreased urine volume and dark urine. Dark yellow or amber urine indicates dehydration. Moderate symptoms of insufficient fluid intake include dizziness and headache, and muscle cramps, especially when exercising as a result of increased dehydration. Reduced skin elasticity and dryness may occur due to prolonged dehydration. There may be an increase in heart rate depending on the body's responses while trying to maintain fluid balance.”
Prof. Dr. Demir stated that in advanced dehydration, due to the lack of excessive amount of fluid in the body, blood pressure decreases, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the brain and kidneys, confusion and fainting, increased respiratory rate and stopping urine output.
“Infants, children and the elderly are more vulnerable”
Pointing out that fluid loss does not affect every individual at the same level, Dr. Demir said that certain age groups and patients are more sensitive to fluid loss; especially infants, children and the elderly have difficulty in maintaining body fluid balance. Pointing out that conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease increase fluid loss in patients with chronic diseases, Dr. Demir said, “High blood sugar levels cause excessive water loss from the kidneys. Patients using diuretics have a high risk of dehydration if they are not careful. Since it will be even more difficult to maintain fluid balance in patients with heart failure, both excess fluid and insufficient fluid intake problems may be seen. In patients with renal failure, there may be deterioration in kidney function depending on the level of dehydration.”
Underlining that drinking enough water throughout the day to prevent dehydration helps the body maintain its water balance, Dr. Demir recommended the consumption of mineral waters to balance this as mineral loss will also increase in the body in cases of diarrhea or vomiting. Stating that water intake can be increased by consuming fruits and vegetables with high water content, Dr. Demir said: “Spending time in cool and shady places, especially during the hottest hours of the day, wearing light, breathable and light-colored clothes will help regulate our body temperature. Since alcohol and caffeine consumption can cause your body to lose more water, the amount of consumption should be reduced.”
“Recognizing the symptoms early prevents serious problems”
Emphasizing that preventing dehydration in the summer months is critical for maintaining health, Dr. Demir said that the risk of dehydration can be reduced by paying attention to water consumption, wearing appropriate clothing and spending time in cool places. Stating that maintaining the body's water balance is of great importance for a healthy life, Dr. Demir said: “Recognizing the signs of dehydration early and taking the necessary precautions will help prevent serious health problems. Individuals with chronic diseases should be careful against dehydration and take the necessary precautions, especially in the summer months”.
