Symptoms of dehydration:
- Dry mucous membranes such as in the mouth and eyes
- Thirst (please note: small children and elderly people do not always report this)
- Deep-lying eyes
- Little and dark, strong smelling urine
- General weakness
- Headache
- In a baby: retracted fontanells (the skin above the ungrown skullbones pulls in)
Treatment: What to do when dehydrated?
- Check if the victim has a dry mouth and check the skin's suppleness.
- Make sure the victim regularly drinks small amounts. In less severe cases, water is usually sufficient. Alternatively, you can give lightly salted broth or diluted fruit juice. Ready-made solutions that protect against dehydration are also available in pharmacies, sports shops or shops for adventurous trips. If these are not available, you may add half a teaspoon of baking powder (sodium bicarbonate + acid) and three teaspons of sugar to a litre of drinking water.
How to prevent dehydration:
- Drink enough, don't wait till you get thirsty.
- Drink more than usual if you have fever, make extra efforts (sport or work), and in warm and humid weather.
- Drink regularly small amounts.
- Varie your drinks (water, broth, vegetable juice, lemonade).
- Eat fruit and vegetables rich in water.
Dehydration can be life-threatening, especially in babies, young children, elderly and persons weakened by disease. It is therefore important to recognise the symptoms and act quickly to prevent and treat dehydration.
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