"Dehydration"
Written by
Tessa Jupp RN for the Post Polio Network of WA
Newly recognised thirst perceptions
1. Feeling tired without a
reason - water needed for energy pathways (for nerves, muscles, joints)
2. Flushed - if brain
dehydrated, blood vessels open to get more thru’, so more circulation to
face, eyes, ears
3. Irritable - short-tempered -
water calms you down
4. Anxiety
5. Dejected, inadequate,
depressed - lack of water depletes amino acids, so brain hormones reduced, loss
of drive, liver unable to detoxify toxic waste
6. Disturbed sleep patterns -
water lost while asleep
7. Anger, quick temper
8. Impatient, short attention
span - soft drinks make worse
9. Shortness of breath
10. Craving beverages - Coffee, tea, alcohol, soft drinks
11. Dreaming of large expanse of water (oceans, rivers, dams etc)
SIMPLE COMMON SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION
1. Persistent dry cough
2. Veins stand out on
arms/hands
3. Swollen ankles/legs/ring
finger
4. Tongue-tied - stumbling
speech
5. Urine - dark yellow/orange
6. Reduced urine output
7. Constipation
8. Dry, burning eyes
9. Scaly skin
10. Hot flushes
11. Thirst
12. Double chin
Crisis Calls for
Rehydration
Heartburn
Angina
Lower
back pain
Migraines
Colitis
Fibromyalgia
Rheumatoid
joint pain
DISEASES LINKED TO DEHYDRATION
Obesity
Increased cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides
Heart failure
Osteoporosis
Osteo-arthritis
Strokes
Diabetes
Alzheimer’s
Multiple Sclerosis
Motor Neurone Disease
Muscular Dystrophy
Parkinson’s
Scleroderma
Cancers
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome