Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Anastasia Ugwuanyi, Senior clinical educator, department of family medicine, University of the Witwatersrand
Published on 2024-03-20 14:18:51
Dehydration is a significant issue during extreme heatwaves and disease outbreaks such as cholera, which can lead to life-threatening diarrhea. Anastasia Ugwuanyi, a family physician and clinical educator at the University of the Witwatersrand, shared valuable insights on how to prevent and manage dehydration.
Dehydration occurs when there is a loss of intracellular body water. Our bodies consist of 55% to 65% water, with most of it in lean tissue and the rest in extracellular spaces. Factors such as heatwaves, droughts, reduced fluid intake, and fluid loss from conditions like diabetes or diarrhea can disrupt the body’s water regulation mechanisms.
Symptoms of dehydration, especially in very young or elderly individuals, can include headaches, fatigue, confusion, dry mouth, and sunken eyes. Severe dehydration can have serious consequences on the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, central nervous, and musculoskeletal systems, leading to conditions like constipation, delirium, renal failure, and an increased risk of infections and seizures.
To prevent dehydration, it is essential to address both environmental and personal factors. Ensuring access to clean water is a collective responsibility, while individuals should drink water regularly, especially in hot weather, and be aware of the signs of dehydration in themselves and others. Preparing homemade oral rehydration solutions with water, salt, and sugar can be crucial in managing dehydration before seeking medical help.
Additionally, maintaining a healthy balance of salts, avoiding calorie-dense beverages, and staying cool in hot weather are important strategies to prevent dehydration. Using health apps to track water intake and being mindful of hydration during physical activity are also helpful practices to stay hydrated and healthy.
