The loss of body fluid leads to dehydration. It occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in, leaving the body with less water or liquid to carry out normal functions. A dry mouth is the most obvious sign of dehydration. Depending on age, a person may feel thirsty when dehydrated, which is dangerous. 

Dehydration can range from moderate to severe, affecting your physical and mental wellness. So, how long does it take to rehydrate? In extreme cases, hospitalization and intravenous hydration for up to 24 hours help recover. Therefore, it’s essential to consider dehydration as a possible condition when planning for retirement living. 

The Causes of Dehydration

Dehydration can happen for simple reasons like failure to drink enough water or lack of access to clean drinking water when sick. Other causes of dehydration include:

• Severe diarrhea, vomiting
• Fever
• Excessive sweating
• Increased urination

Complications of Dehydration

Dehydration can lead to several complications, including:

• Heat injury for people who exercise intensely without taking enough water
• Urinary and kidney issues
• Seizures
• Hypovolemic shock (low blood volume shock)

Symptoms of Dehydration

You may not get an early indicator of the body’s cry for water. Most people, especially seniors, don’t get thirsty until dehydrated. For this reason, it’s crucial to take more water when ill or during hot weather. 

In some institutions like Retirement Village London, professionals are highly trained to ensure residents don’t suffer dehydration or other preventable conditions. Here are the symptoms of dehydration, but they can differ with age. 

A Young Child

• A whitish cover on the lips characterizes a dry mouth
• They don’t shed tears when crying
• Going for three hours without wetting a diaper
• Sunken eyes and cheeks
• The soft spot on the top skull is sunken 
• Highly irritable

Adult

• Acute thirst
• Less frequent urination
• Dark-colored urine
• Discomfort around the eyes
• General body fatigue
• Dizziness and Confusion

When to Visit a Doctor

You or a loved one need medical attention after:

• Diarrhea for 24 hours or more
• High irritability, disorientation, or lethargic
• Less activity than usual
• Can’t keep in fluids
• Bloody or black stool

How Long Does It Take to Rehydrate?

It can take a couple of minutes to hydrate. Take 600ml of water to rehydrate and ease most discomforts fully. You don’t need to drink enhanced liquids like water and salt to rehydrate entirely, but pure, clean water is enough. However, drinks with more electrolytes will replenish you fast.

Don’t take a lot of water within a short period, as it can lead to hyponatremia, otherwise known as water intoxication. Although uncommon, it can be fatal. Overhydrating means you provide more water than required, which may be difficult for the body to utilize. Seniors can avoid some of these issues by purchasing retirement flats for sale in Bournemouth and living in a community. 

Too much water in the body can result in the decrement of sodium levels. As a result, the imbalance can cause liquids to enter the blood cells, leading to swelling body organs, including the brain. 

The Bottom Line

When the body does not get enough water as it requires, it leads to dehydration. The body loses water routinely through sweating, urination, or elimination of waste products. But when the loss is in excess, dehydration kicks in, hindering the body from performing normal functions. Take enough water throughout the day to avoid falling victim to dehydration.