During this time we often hear the term dehydration. Dehydration can be medically defined as a condition in which our body is so deficient in fluids that it disrupts the function of the organs and causes symptoms.
Did you know Hermina's friends that body functions need water in it, so if you are dehydrated there will be organ function disturbances. Water in the body functions to maintain body temperature, as a transport of nutrients and food to the digestive tract and tissues, to maintain salt balance in the body.
If there are conditions that cause the body to lack water, for example, diarrhea, excessive vomiting, burns, replacement fluids are needed so that the body functions properly.
Disease conditions that make dehydration include diarrhea, excessive vomiting, high fever, severe burns.
It is important to know the common symptoms of dehydration to avoid the dangers of dehydration. Early signs of dehydration are as follows:
1. Feeling thirsty,
2. Head feels dizzy,
3.Urinate with infrequent intensity,
4. Feeling dry in the mouth, lips and eyes.
In these conditions a replacement fluid is needed so that the body functions properly.
Here are some choices of drinks other than water that can restore body fluids, namely:
1. Coconut water
Coconut water is well known for replacing fluids because in addition to the water having a high salt content, potassium, it is easy to get and tastes good too. But you still have to be careful because the coconut water that we get can be mixed with artificial sweeteners, actually coconut water is naturally sweet.
2. Fruit and vegetable juices
Juice is a mixture of water and fruit. Good fruit and vegetable juices are made pure and have no added sugar. Adding sugar in our body will make us more thirsty.
3. Milk
Milk is a good drink to replace lost body fluids, especially in patients who have difficulty eating, generally in elderly patients or young children. Whole milk is better because the liquid content is quite high compared to packaged milk which has a taste because it tends to have a higher sugar content than the water content.
4. Herbal teas
Water for brewing tea will replace the lost liquid condition. The positive side of herbal teas is that they have a calming effect and can improve the condition of the body when it is dehydrated.
5. Infused water
Contemporary drinks that contain quite a lot of water and are added with pieces of fruit. It is hoped that with the mixture of fruits, the nutrients from the fruits will enter the water and be mixed. Infused water, whose main ingredient is water, can replace lost body fluids.
By knowing the symptoms of dehydration above, it is hoped that we will be able to increase alertness and self-awareness to meet the body's need for fluids. Everyone's fluid needs are different. For adults, the recommended consumption of water is around eight glasses of 230 ml per day or a total of 2 liters.
If dehydration cannot be treated independently with drinks to replace body fluids or experience symptoms of severe dehydration such as drowsiness, sunken eyes. Don't hesitate to go straight to the emergency room for first aid