In This Article
What Is Dehydration? Causes Of Dehydration Signs And Symptoms Of Dehydration Side Effects Of Dehydration How To Treat Dehydration Naturally Preventive Tips
What Is Dehydration?
Dehydration occurs when your body is unable to retain fluids and electrolytes. When there is a reduction in the water content of the body, the salt-sugar balance goes haywire, which affects the functioning of the body. There are many factors that cause dehydration. Let’s take a look at them below.
Causes Of Dehydration
Dehydration may be the result of a minor underlying issue, such as a rigorous workout session or decreased water intake. Some other causes of dehydration are as follows:
Diarrhea Or Vomiting: Both diarrhea and vomiting lead to excessive loss of water from your body, and this can cause dehydration. Fever: Running a high fever increases your chance of becoming dehydrated. Frequent Urination: Frequent urination following a disease like diabetes or intake of certain diuretic medications also has the potential to result in dehydration. Sweating In Excess: If your body loses a lot of fluids after an intense workout, you are at a higher risk of becoming dehydrated. Age: Older people and infants are at higher risk of becoming dehydrated. Chronic Illnesses: Individuals suffering from chronic diseases, such as diabetes and kidney diseases, are also at higher risk of becoming dehydrated. Weather: Extremely hot or cold weather has the potential to cause excessive water loss in your body, leading to dehydration.
Let us now look at the common signs and symptoms of dehydration in adults and infants.
Signs And Symptoms Of Dehydration
In Adults
Dehydration can have mild to severe impact on the affected individuals. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of dehydration in adults include:
A dry and sticky tongue Excessive thirst Less frequent urination Dizziness Urine becomes dark Fatigue
In Children
The signs and symptoms of dehydration in children may vary from that of adults. The common symptoms of dehydration in children and infants are as follows:
A dry mouth (2) Eyes and cheeks appear sunken Increased sleep and lack of energy Increased tiredness Dry diapers for more than 3 hours Absence of tears while crying
Dehydration could be a major concern when it affects children and must be attended to immediately. Let’s now look at some side effects that are often associated with dehydration.
Side Effects Of Dehydration
Dehydration may also cause some unusual side effects like
Bad breath Frequent chills Cravings for sweets Cramps in the muscles Headaches Dry skin
Dehydration can turn serious when left untreated and may also lead to a medical emergency. It is, hence, of utmost importance to treat the condition as soon as you observe its onset. You can do so by following the simple and natural remedies mentioned below.
How To Treat Dehydration Naturally
Best Home Remedies For Dehydration
1. Bananas
1-2 bananas Have a banana before indulging in any intensive physical activity. Do this twice daily. Dehydration causes a deficiency of potassium in your body. Bananas have high potassium content and can help replenish its levels and combat dehydration (3). Bananas can be included in your infant’s diet only if he/she is more than 6 months old.
2. Buttermilk
1 cup of buttermilk 1/2 teaspoon of dry ginger
You must drink buttermilk at least 3 to 4 times a day to combat dehydration. Buttermilk is a natural probiotic. It is rich in minerals such as potassium and magnesium that are often depleted when you sweat excessively and become dehydrated (4). Note: Buttermilk is not only safe but also beneficial for your infant’s overall health.
3. Barley Water
1 cup of barley 3 to 4 cups of water 1/2 lemon Honey
Do this 3 to 4 times a day. Barley water is an extremely healthy drink. It is loaded with many antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help to restore the fluids lost by dehydration and keep you hydrated (5), (6). Wait for your little one to turn at least 6 months before introducing barley to his/her diet.
4. Soups
Soups are good sources of nutrients that can help in dealing with dehydration and its symptoms. The high content of minerals like potassium in soups makes them an ideal option to restore the lost nutrients in your body. For best results, consume soups before a rigorous workout session to help you stay hydrated. They can be used to treat dehydration in babies once they turn 6 months old.
5. Coconut Water
1 glass of young coconut water Drink young coconut water throughout the day. You must drink coconut water 4 to 5 times daily for best results. Coconut water is high in sodium and potassium, the levels of which are often depleted when you are dehydrated. This makes it one of the best options to treat dehydration naturally (7), (8). Give coconut water to your baby only once he/she completes 6 months.
6. Essential Oils
a. Lemon Essential Oil
1 to 2 drops of lemon essential oil 1 glass of water
Drink the lemon-flavored drink once daily. Lemon essential oil has antioxidant and cleansing properties and is great to keep you hydrated and healthy (9).
b. Wild Orange Essential Oil
1 to 2 drops of wild orange essential oil 1 glass of water
Drink this water at least once daily. Wild orange flavored water is a refreshing antioxidant drink that promotes overall health and enhances the functioning of your immune system. It is a flavorful and healthy way to treat dehydration as compared to unhealthy drinks with high sugar content (10).
c. Peppermint Essential Oil
2 drops of peppermint essential oil 1 glass of water
Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a glass of water and consume daily. Do this 1 to 2 times daily. Peppermint oil contains potassium and magnesium – the reserves of which are low in dehydrated individuals. This peppermint oil infused water can help replenish the potassium and magnesium levels in your body and treat dehydration (11). Infants and children should not be given essential oils internally until they are at least 6-10 years old.
7. Homemade ORS
1/2 teaspoon of salt 6 teaspoons of sugar/brown sugar 4 cups of water
Do this multiple times until you have consumed at least 3 liters of this solution in a day. ORS stands for Oral Rehydration Solution. The name itself gives away the use of this remedy, i.e., to treat dehydration. Consuming ORS is one of the best ways to replace the lost fluids in your body. This is because the glucose content of sugar used in ORS helps in increased uptake of sodium and water that are lost due to dehydration (12), (13). Note: ORS is one of the safest options to treat dehydration in infants. However, it is best to consult a doctor before doing so, especially if your infant is less than 6 months old.
8. Pickle Juice
1/3 cup of pickle juice Drink pickle juice before or after an intense workout. Do this once a day. Your body tends to lose a lot of potassium and sodium when you sweat excessively, and this leads to dehydration. A study revealed that men who were dehydrated found immediate relief from muscle cramps after consuming pickle juice. Pickle juice is high in sodium and is also known to have some amount of potassium in it. Thus, it is one of the best remedies to treat dehydration as it restores the electrolyte balance in your body (14). Do not give pickle juice to your little one.
9. Cranberry Juice
2 cups of cranberry juice Drink at least 2 glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice daily. Drink this juice twice daily. Cranberry juice has high water content and is one of the best ways to treat dehydration naturally. It also contains essential sugars and salts that are often lost when you are dehydrated (15).
10. Apple Juice
1 apple 1/2 glass of water
You can drink this juice twice daily. Apples are a rich source of magnesium. They also contain trace amounts of potassium and can, therefore, help in treating dehydration by restoring the lost minerals and electrolytes in your body. According to a study conducted in 2016, diluted apple juice is a more effective option as compared to electrolyte drinks to treat dehydration in children (16), (17). You need to wait for your babies to complete at least 6 months before introducing fruit juices and solid foods in their diet.
11. Orange Juice
1 to 2 glasses of unsweetened orange juice Drink a glass of unsweetened orange juice before or after a strenuous workout. You must drink this juice once or twice a day. Oranges are rich in a lot of vitamins and minerals. They also have electrolytes such as potassium and little amounts of magnesium present in them. Oranges, therefore, have the potential to keep dehydration at bay by maintaining the electrolyte balance in your body (18). Children below 6 years of age should consume just half a cup of orange juice in a day.
12. Lemon Water
1/2 lemon 1 glass of water Honey (optional)
Drink lemon water two to three times a day. Lemon water not only refreshes you but also helps you overcome dehydration by restoring the levels of potassium, sodium, and magnesium in your body (19). Wait till your baby is 6 months old before introducing lemon to his/her diet.
13. Salt
When you are dehydrated, your body ends up losing many significant minerals and electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, and sodium. In such a situation, it is recommended to increase the intake of these to balance their amount in your body. Your body has the natural ability to maintain the balance of sodium and water. When you are dehydrated, this balance is disturbed. Thus, increasing the amount of salt in your diet via sports drinks and foods rich in sodium can help your body regain the sodium-water balance. This, in turn, can help combat dehydration (20), (21).
14. Yogurt
1 cup of yogurt A pinch of salt
Do this 1 to 2 times daily. Yogurt is a rich source of electrolytes and can hence combat dehydration by restoring the lost electrolytes in your body (22). You can include yogurt in your infant’s diet if he/she is older than 6 months.
15. Epsom Salt Bath
1 cup of Epsom salt 1 bucket of water
You can do this 2 to 3 times a week. The magnesium in Epsom salt can help to combat dehydration and its symptoms when absorbed by your body (23). Although an Epsom salt bath is relatively safe for children, it may cause issues if the bath water is swallowed. Infants below the age of 1 should be kept away from this treatment. Although these remedies can help you in your fight against dehydration, following a few preventive tips and making a couple of lifestyle changes will prove beneficial in treating this condition.
Preventive Tips For Dehydration
Include plenty of water and hydrating juices like watermelon and strawberry in your diet, especially before and after a rigorous activity. Use an electrolyte sports drink if you are planning to workout or exercise for more than an hour. Avoid alcohol consumption as it increases dehydration. Quit smoking as it can cause dehydration in the long run. Wear lightweight and light-colored clothes if you are working out or exercising outdoors. Follow a healthy diet with high water content foods such as cucumbers, yogurt, papaya, and green salads.
Is milk good for dehydration? Yes, milk is a very good option to rehydrate you. In fact, a study concluded that milk is better than water and electrolyte drinks to combat dehydration due to its high content of nutrients and electrolytes. But if you are worried about those extra calories, better stick to water. What are the best drinks to treat dehydration besides water? Besides water, fruit juices such as watermelon, strawberry, and orange, whole and skimmed milk, sports drinks, as well as coconut water can help in keeping you hydrated. Which is the best electrolyte drink that can prevent dehydration? Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is one of the best electrolyte drinks to prevent dehydration in adults and infants alike. What vitamin helps treat dehydration? Vitamin C may help with dehydration. However, while some proponents of vitamin C hydration therapy claim that it can help improve symptoms of dehydration and hydrate the body effectively, there is a lack of scientific research to validate this claim. When should you go to the ER to treat dehydration? Dehydration can be fatal unless treated on time. So, if you are experiencing an inability to urinate, delusion, confusion, dizziness, or irritability, you should visit the ER for emergency medical services. Does chugging water hydrate you? Chugging water is no more effective for dehydration than sipping water slowly till you feel your symptoms have improved. Is Gatorade good for dehydration? Yes, Gatorade is formulated with electrolytes that can effectively help relieve the symptoms of dehydration.
