I- What are the benefits of good hydration?

Two-thirds of the body is composed of water. This means that for a weight of about 70 kilos, the human body contains about 46 liters of water. Nearly 70% of the water is contained in the cells, 20% in the space surrounding the cells and a little less than 10% in the bloodstream. Water is essential for maintaining the health of the body.

When the amount of water consumed matches the amount excreted, the body's water reserves are well balanced. If you are healthy and do not sweat excessively, you should drink at least 2 to 3 liters of fluids per day (about 8 glasses of water) to maintain your water balance and protect yourself from certain complications, such as the formation of kidney stones.

Moreover, water improves your concentration and memory. Indeed, thanks to water, the nervous system creates connections and improves our mental and cognitive abilities. Our brain can then work more efficiently and stimulate our memory and neurons.

Drinking water helps flush out toxins and speed up cell renewal, which boosts blood circulation and good exchanges in the body. Poor exchanges and poor blood circulation are vectors of disease and promote the appearance of cellulite. Water helps prevent this!

II- What are the signs of dehydration?

Dehydration:

Dehydration can occur when the body's water supply is insufficient.

Dehydration is not “an illness” strictly speaking, it is a physiological state with more or less significant consequences. This physiological state then results from a significant decrease in fluid within the body. Dehydration can be due to malnutrition, severe diarrhea or because of the heat , especially in summer. This fluid, in a quantity lower than normal, in the case of a state of dehydration, is essentially composed of water and mineral salts.

Dehydration can affect anyone, but special care should be taken with young children and the elderly .

Causes of dehydration

Diarrhea , the main consequence of dehydration, is caused by:

● a lack of hygiene;

● malnutrition, particularly with regard to “water-rich” foods;

● contact and/or hydration with contaminated water.

This state of dehydration can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or place of residence. However, the elderly, as well as children and infants, are categories of people to be considered with greater attention. Indeed, as far as the elderly are concerned, they sometimes have more difficulty hydrating themselves regularly, especially during periods of high heat. As for children, during the growth period, the consequences of dehydration are more serious than in adults. In this sense, promoting hydration in these categories of people is essential.

When diarrhea is not treated immediately, it can be dangerous. In fact, the loss of water and mineral salts can have significant consequences on the functioning of the body (vital organs, muscles, brain, etc.), and even more so in growing children or in elderly people whose bodies are weakened.

To avoid worsening dehydration, it is important to continue to drink plenty of water, around 1.5 litres of water per day.

Symptoms of dehydration:

Dehydration is apparent through certain specific signs, including:

● reduced need to urinate;

● absence of tears;

● Dry mouth, dry tongue, dry lips and skin;

● “grayish” skin;

● a sunken fontanelle (soft part of the infant's skull);

Diarrhea and vomiting are the most demonstrative signs.

Other symptoms may also accompany this diarrheal state: fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach aches or even abdominal cramps.

The presence of blood in the stool indicates significant dehydration, this is the most alarming condition.

Tests to perform to diagnose dehydration:

Test 1. Pinch the skin

Lack of hydration affects the texture and elasticity of the skin. It is composed of about 30% water. To determine if the skin contains enough fluid, pinch the skin on the back of your hand between your thumb and forefinger. If the skin springs back into place immediately afterward, this indicates sufficient moisture and elasticity. If it takes half a second or more for the skin to return to its original shape, this could be a sign of dehydration. When the body senses a lack of water, it is taken from the skin to allow other organs to function. This makes the skin tight and can make it feel cool and clammy.

Test 2. Change of urine

Another warning sign is urine. For example, the color already says a lot about the hydration status of your body. Dark or honey-colored urine is a sign of possible dehydration. Urine consists of both water and waste products that need to be eliminated by the body. In a well-hydrated body, urine turns pale yellow and is odorless. Urinating infrequently can also indicate dehydration.

How to fix it?

If dehydration is mild, simply drinking plain water may be sufficient. However, if water and electrolyte loss has occurred, salts (especially sodium and potassium) must also be replaced. A number of commercial drinks are available that have been formulated to help replace salts ( electrolytes ) lost during vigorous exercise or illness.

Hydratis offers this kind of life-saving drinks. By consuming these drinks, you can prevent dehydration or treat mild dehydration. The process is very simple: just put the effervescent tablets in a large glass of water and drink it. This can be done up to 2 or 3 times a day as needed to optimize hydration.

Drinking plenty of fluids and taking some extra salt during or after exercise or during illness will also help. If dehydration becomes severe and blood pressure drops enough to cause shock or near shock, this is an emergency situation that requires immediate medical attention. In such a severe case, an intravenous solution containing sodium chloride may be given.

The underlying cause of dehydration should always be treated. For example, if diarrhea is the cause, medications that treat or stop diarrhea may also be necessary. Once the cause of dehydration is treated, you will need to be monitored to make sure you are drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated. Your doctor may test your kidney function to make sure your kidneys are working properly when you are taking normal amounts of fluids.

If a child develops symptoms of dehydration, contact a health care professional immediately.

To prevent dehydration, drink enough water or fluid replacement products when conditions are conducive to dehydration (e.g., hot, humid, or cold weather, high altitude, vigorous physical exertion). It is also important to avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, which accelerate dehydration by increasing urine output. It is recommended to consume 2 to 3 liters (about 8 glasses) of fluids each day.