What is dehydration?
Dehydration transpires when you lose more fluid and electrolytes than you take in, and your body doesn’t have sufficient water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. Electrolytes are essential for our general health, as they are mineral compounds the body requires to regulate temperature and maintain a healthy fluid balance.
Dehydration may only induce minor symptoms, but it can also have a considerable effect on the body, especially for seniors and children. Severe dehydration in the elderly can be fatal and commonly leads to hospitalization. Those at the greatest risk of dehydration are individuals who do not drink a sufficient amount of water, or perspire frequently, or severely.
Dehydration can also occur as a side effect of medications, such as diuretics, and laxatives, or an effect of medical issues including diarrhea, vomiting, heat stroke, hyperglycemia, infections, or extreme workout.
There are three main types of dehydration:
- hypotonic (mostly loss of electrolytes)
- hypertonic (mostly loss of water)
- isotonic (equal loss of water and electrolytes).
The most common type of dehydration experienced by humans is isotonic.
As with most illnesses, prevention is the solution. Staying hydrated now is much simpler than treating dehydration later.
Find out more about dehydration from this WebMD video:
Effects of dehydration
Sufficient hydration plays a fundamental role in maintaining:
- Circulation
- Lubrication
- Body temperature
- The lymphatic system
- Elimination of waste products from the body and cells
- Healthy ingestion and digestion
- Processes to flush out the urinary tract, eyes, and other organs
The most common signs of dehydration may include:
- Confusion
- Difficulty walking
- Dizziness or headaches
- Dry mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Failure to sweat or produce tears
- Accelerated heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Low urine production
- Constipation
At about 5% to 6% water loss, a person experiences symptoms of increased fatigue, headaches, nausea, and paresthesias.
With 10% to 15% fluid loss, a person experiences symptoms of muscle cramping, dry and wrinkly skin, beginning of delirium, painful and/or reduced urine output, and a decline in eyesight.
Losses of water greater than 15% are usually fatal.
You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment.
Find out more about dehydration symptoms from this WebMD video:
Dehydration and Physical Therapy
There is no direct physical therapy intervention for dehydration in the severe category. Nonetheless, prevention and oral fluid replacement is something physical therapists can guide you through, in the course of patient education.
Patients should also be instructed about the signs and symptoms of dehydration in order to know when they may need to seek help. This is done by proper education about hydration.
If you have ever used the expert Physical therapy in Miami/Doral, then you may remember your therapist prompting you to drink loads of fluids after your session. Why does your physical therapist require you to drink water?
When a physical or occupational therapist works on the soft tissue, or when you do elementary stretching exercises, there is a discharge of fluids from that tissue into the muscles. While this is a normal process that happens throughout every day, the act of a therapist working on the soft tissue stimulates the release of fluid and depletes your soft tissue.
This is the most significant reason why it is vital to hydrate yourself after a physical therapy session.
Physical therapy in Miami/Doral.
The right occupational/physical therapy program is your best chance to get rid of hand pain and numbness, stop symptoms from getting worse and avoid repeated injections, and surgery.
Ultimately, physical therapy treatment is vital for patients suffering from all kinds of arm and hand conditions. It can help to minimize and even eliminate symptoms. Physical therapy enables you to return to regular activities and live life to the fullest, without pain.
Hands on Therapy Services – your occupational and physical therapy destination!
At Hands on Therapy Services, Hoang Tran’s and other therapists’ mission is to help you make the best decisions about what to do for your health and well-being. With their help, you will receive answers you need and professional help that will bring you back to full recovery.
Our Miami clinic offers an open and friendly physical therapy environment where you will feel comfortable being treated by a therapist in a one-on-one setting.
If you live in Miami or Doral, and you are having elbow pain, or nagging discomfort, you must be looking to ease your mind about what can be done to help. No matter how long it’s been – weeks, months, or even years – Hands on Therapy Services staff will be happy to answer ALL the questions you have, regarding physical therapy in Doral or physical therapy in Miami.
Contact Us to make an appointment, or request information.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health
