Dehydration: Health Risks, Detection and Prevention
As the heat of summer fades away, so might our awareness of how important it is for
us and our older family members to stay hydrated. Because I’m coping with hip pain
until I can have a hip replacement, today I watched a video of two doctors talking
about nonsurgical methods for how to deal with hip pain. Surprise! One was to stay
hydrated because dehydration can be a cause of joint pain.
A friend of mine who recently checked with a doctor because of her dry mouth was told that it might be her almost constant drinking of her favorite caffeinated diet drink that could cause, you guessed it, dehydration. Caffeine in any form can be a diuretic, causing us to quickly void more water than we’re taking in. Water content in the body decreases with age, especially in women. Dehydration can occur quickly.
Dehydration can be difficult to detect and prevent, especially in older people. However, its effect on health can be dramatic and even life-threatening. In my years of studying aging and caregiving I’ve learned quite a bit about the risks, detection, and prevention of dehydration, but that doesn’t mean I always drink enough water. The following is some information I’ve acquired that might remind me, other older people, and those who are caregivers to more carefully consider the importance of hydration.
Factors that Increase the Risk of Dehydration
Depending on overall health, humans can’t survive more than 3-4 days without water. At 96, my father had difficulty swallowing and easily aspirated liquids unless they were thickened. Keeping him hydrated was a challenge. He ate fruit and ice cream, but he refused most vegetables and soup, so he didn’t get a lot of water from his food. Swallowing disorders can be caused by aging, stroke, Parkinson’s disease or dementia. Other risk factors include:
- Not feeling thirsty
- Memory issues
- Being bedridden
- Diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating
- Certain medications
- Diminished drinking due to fear of incontinence
- Fear of falling when we get up
Health Dangers of Dehydration
These and other dangerous health problems should cause us to suspect possible dehydration and want to prevent it in ourselves and those we care for:
- Urinary tract infections
- Aspirational pneumonia
- Severely dry skin and pressure sores
- Joint pain and muscle cramps
- Cognitive issues
- Kidney stones and function
- Low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
Early Detection Symptoms
Adequate hydration can require constant monitoring. The following signs may indicate dehydration, and noticing them might help to prevent other conditions. See if drinking more water helps. If not, check with a doctor to determine the seriousness of:
- Low urine output or dark-colored urine
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Inability to sweat or produce tears
- Temperature regulation difficulty
- Dizziness or difficulty walking
- Headaches, confusion
Prevention Strategies
Staying hydrated is more difficult the older we get. We can’t rely on feeling thirsty, and it’s often more difficult to get up and get something to drink. Strategies that may help prevent dehydration are:
- Include foods with high water content in your diet. Examples: fresh fruits and vegetables, soup, dairy products.
- Keep a water bottle or glass of water within easy reach.
- Drink a glass of water or another healthy beverage with every meal.
- Drink small amounts frequently throughout the day and less at bedtime.
- Schedule consistent times for drinking water, like after going to the
bathroom or brushing teeth. - Drink more than just one or two swallows of liquid with medications.
- Drink liquids regularly, even when you’re not thirsty.
- Consume caffeinated drinks in moderation. Too much caffeine can be dehydrating.
- Monitor weight loss. A sudden loss of two pounds or more signals dehydration in people over 60.
Learning about the benefits of staying hydrated, the risks of being dehydrated, and developing a strategy to stay hydrated can be very important to overall health and even longevity. I need to be better at following my own advice.