| Dehydration can be defined as "the excessive loss of | | | | especially good since they are primarily made of |
| water from the body." Diseases of the | | | | water. |
| gastrointestinal tract can lead to dehydration in | | | | Drink more with exercise. When you exercise, be |
| various ways. Often, dehydration becomes the major | | | | sure that you drink plenty of water before, during, |
| problem in an otherwise self-limited illness. Fluid loss | | | | and after. An hour before you exercise, drink 8 to 16 |
| may even be severe enough to become | | | | ounces of water, unsweetened juice, or a sports |
| life-threatening. | | | | drink, says Dr. Besdine. If you exercise enough that |
| Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than | | | | you’re breaking a sweat, you need about 20 to |
| you take in and your body doesn't have enough | | | | 40 ounces of water per hour, which is 4 to 8 ounces |
| water and other fluids to carry out its normal | | | | every 15 minutes. |
| functions. If lost fluid remains unreplenished, you may | | | | Lime juice. Add 1 teaspoon lime juice, a pinch of salt, |
| suffer serious consequences. | | | | and 1 teaspoon sugar to a pint of water. Sip the |
| Causes of Dehydration | | | | beverage throughout the day to cure mild |
| One common cause of dehydration in teens is | | | | dehydration. |
| gastrointestinal illness. When you're flattened by a | | | | Stay cool. Hot weather is another common cause of |
| stomach bug, you lose fluid through vomiting and | | | | dehydration in the elderly, says Dr. Besdine. Water |
| diarrhea. | | | | loss increases in a warm environment, he says. |
| Excessive loss of fluid through the intestinal tract can | | | | Always use an air conditioner or fans in hot weather, |
| happen when the intestine is "inflamed" or damaged, | | | | Dr. Besdine advises. “Older adults should never |
| or when bacteria or viruses cause the lining of the | | | | stay in temperatures over 100°F, especially if they |
| intestine to produce more fluid than can be absorbed. | | | | are indoors without adequate circulating air.” |
| Dieting can sap a person's water reserves as well. | | | | Vinegar. Since achy muscles are a side effect of |
| Beware of diets or supplements, including laxatives | | | | dehydration, this can bring relief. Add 8 ounces apple |
| and diuretics that emphasize shedding "water weight" | | | | cider vinegar to a bathtub of warm water. Soak in |
| as a quick way to lose weight. Losing water weight is | | | | tub for at least 15 minutes. |
| not the same thing as losing actual fat. | | | | Add a light protein. "When you're feeling a little |
| Water is essential to human life: It forms the basis | | | | better, you can move on to a light protein like |
| for all body fluids, including blood and digestive juices; | | | | chicken breast or fish," Dr. Koch says. Chicken noodle |
| it aids in the transportation and absorption of | | | | or chicken with rice soup is perfect for this, he says. |
| nutrients; and it helps eliminate waste. | | | | Be sure to skim off as much fat from the soup as |
| Fever In general, the higher your fever, the more | | | | you can. |
| dehydrated you may become. If you have a fever in | | | | Apply heat to the abdomen to help relieve pain, |
| addition to diarrhea and vomiting, you lose even more | | | | cramps, and tenderness. Electric heating pads, moist |
| fluids. | | | | heat wraps, and water bottles can all be used as |
| Natural Home Remedies for Dehydration | | | | needed. |
| Bland foods. If you've experienced dehydration, stick | | | | If the dehydration is because of diarrhea or vomiting, |
| to foods that are easily digested for the next 24 | | | | give your baby an electrolyte solution. The frequency |
| hours, because stomach cramps are a symptom of | | | | should be every half-hour to an hour, after the baby |
| dehydration and can recur. Try soda crackers, rice, | | | | has stopped vomiting. |
| bananas, potatoes, and flavored gelatins. Gelatins are | | | | |