Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance in Summer: Signs, Risks, and Quick Fixes
Our grandparents were perhaps the last generation who had fun during summer, climbing mango trees, playing in the sun, and resting under the shade lulled by the chirpings of birds. They plunged into cool ponds and collected a treasure trove of good ‘summer time’. For us, however, summertime is fright time. With the mercury rising to 47 degrees and sweltering heat waves and loo constantly badgering us, the only things we get to collect in summer are unmatched exhaustion, dehydration, and a cocktail of different health issues ranging from prickly heat, rashes, heart problems, COPD and stroke. While heart problems, COPD and stroke sound urgent, it is important to note that dehydration symptoms and electrolyte imbalance too can be deadly. In this blog, we give you important cues regarding signs, risk factors and treatment for dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in summer.
Dehydration Symptoms And Electrolyte Imbalance Are More Common In Summer!
Dehydration occurs when the body is not replenished with water or loses water naturally. During summer, the body needs to regulate extreme heat. As a result, we sweat more. The more we sweat, the more water we lose, making dehydration a common summer health issue. Other factors that can put you at risk of dehydration are less water intake, excessive sweating, urination, severe diarrhoea and vomiting, but how do you know you are dehydrated? Watch out for these dehydration symptoms:
- Dry mouth
- Thirst
- Dizziness & Confusion
- Dark Urine
- Shortness of Breath
- Rapid heartbeat
What Is the Link Between Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance?
Electrolytes denote important minerals like sodium and potassium, which require water and body fluids to generate an electrical charge. The electrical charge supports important functions like regulating pH, maintaining muscle and nerve functions, stabilizing the heart, protecting bone and teeth health, delivering key nutrients to cells and carrying out cell wastes. When you sweat or dehydrate, your body also loses key electrolytes like sodium, calcium, and potassium. If the electrolyte levels become low, they can cause various problems. Watch out for these electrolyte imbalance symptoms:
- Seizures
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Nausea and
- Muscle cramps
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, if not checked in time, can lead to life- threatening conditions like heat stroke, kidney stones and even kidney failure, UTIs, drop in blood oxygen level, altered mental state and in some cases, heart attack.
Dehydration Treatment: What You Should Know!
Awareness of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance symptoms helps in many ways during dehydration treatment.
- Mild dehydration can be tackled with oral rehydration solutions (ORS), coconut water, and fruit juices. Doctors advise a minimum intake of 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to restore body fluid and normalize the electrolyte levels.
- Dehydration treatment for severe cases may require hospitalization and administration of intravenous fluids. A key aspect of dehydration treatment is monitoring the patient 24/7 until the symptoms subside and the patient feels better.
In Case of Dehydration, When Should I See a Doctor?
Seek medical help if you notice:
- Persistent dizziness or confusion
- Rapid heartbeat or breathing
- No urination for 8+ hours
- Sunken eyes or dry skin
- Severe muscle cramps
- Vomiting or diarrhoea lasting over 24 hours
These could signal serious fluid or electrolyte loss that needs urgent care.
Summer is Coming. Are you Prepared?
The Indian meteorological department has already issued a warning, forecasting another intense summer for India. In 2024, 41,000 Indians had suspected heatstroke, and there were 143 confirmed deaths. This year, too, the summer game plan is to focus on precaution, and we urge you to prepare better. Try avoiding outdoors during peak hot hours, wear caps and face masks to prevent direct heat, and carry water bottles, ORS, glucose and energy bars whenever travelling. If you experience any signs of discomfort, consult a doctor immediately.
Warning: Undefined array key -1 in /mnt/ebs_new_vol_1/yashoda-medicity/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/wpxon-blog/template-parts/content-single.php on line 85