Dehydration is a critical loss of water in the body. Potentially fatal, dehydration is a risk of Type II Diabetes caused by not controlling the amounts of insulin and sugars in the blood.
In normal people, the first sign of dehydration is thirst. This mechanism is disrupted in diabetics. Diabetics rarely feel this and this causes many complications. Two of the common problems arising from dehydration are loss of vision, as the eyes dry out, or a loss of consciousness.
Advanced dehydration is not something people can treat at home. Emergency room or hospital care is almost always needed. Only in mild cases, such as thirst, can be taken care of at home. But be careful of drinking too much water. As rare as it is, water poisoning is as severe as dehydration and as potentially fatal. Never drink more than 16-20 oz of liquid at any one time, even if you are thirsty.
There are many things anyone can do to prevent dehydration.
Certain medications and drugs encourage dehydration. One of the most potent and prudent drug is caffeine. Beverages with caffeine will dehydrate the body, even though you are drinking the liquid. Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and pain relievers cause the body to lose water. Excessive use of acetaminophen is especially damaging to your kidneys, especially during dehydration. In the case of hospitalization, request to be given saline solution. Solutions containing sugar, dextrose, glucose, lactose, and lactated Ringer's solution could cause a severe diabetic reaction.
Visit a doctor immediately if you are vomiting or have diarrhea issues. Both conditions will upset blood sugar and hydration levels quickly. Immediately start drinking small, continuous sips of water with te teaspoon of sea salt added. The sodium and potassium helps your large intestines absorb the fluid.
Most adults need 3-4 liters of water a day. If you drink soda, coffee, energy drinks, caffeine drinks, fruit juices or alcohol, drink twice the amount in water than you drink of the other liquids. This will offset the diuretic effects of caffeine, sugar, and alcohol. This additional water is in addition to the 3-4 liters a day. It is possible to become dehydrated by drinking gallons of soda or coffee. Energy drinks provide mostly sugars and will dehydrate the persons who drink it. Energy drinks, such as Gatorade, 5-Hour Energy, and Red Bull, should never be drunk when exercising or spending large amounts of energy because all are dehydrating drinks.
If you wanted to make a drink that supplied water, electrolytes and a small amount of energy, add one gallon of water, 1-2 cups of quality fruit juice and te teaspoon of sea salt.