Dehydration can impair normal body functions and is caused by inadequate water intake or loss of fluids from the body. Signs of dehydration in older adults include loss of skin elasticity and shrinking eyes. Dehydration can also cause constipation, fever, dry eyes and mouth, and absence of sweat. It is important to prevent dehydration in older adults by ensuring they are getting an adequate amount of water every day.
Dehydration is the lack of fluids or loss of fluids from the body, which can often impair normal body functions. Fluid deficiency can occur when water intake is inadequate, especially during hot temperatures. Loss of fluid from the body is often the result of vomiting, use of certain medications, heavy sweating, and diarrhea. Signs of dehydration in older adults are sometimes less noticeable than in younger people. These include loss of skin elasticity and shrinking eyes. Many dehydrated patients, including the elderly and young, may also experience dizziness, decreased urine output, low blood pressure, and the development of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
In young adults, a sign of dehydration is the formation of wrinkles or decreased skin elasticity. Older individuals generally have wrinkled skin, so these marks may often be less noticeable in them. One way to test for dehydration in older adults is to pull the skin on the hand and release it. Your skin should return to its normal position quickly and not doing so could be a sign of dehydration. Some frail older adults also appear to have shrunken eyes, so many healthcare professionals may not interpret this as a sign of dehydration in older adults.
When the body lacks fluid, urine output also decreases. The color of urine often becomes darker and more concentrated when someone is dehydrated. Constipation can also occur due to less fluids to soften the stool. Apart from these, dehydration in the elderly can also cause fever, dry eyes and mouth, and absence of sweat. Signs of severe dehydration can often lead to severe muscle cramps, confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures.
Many older men and women are also prone to other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes. They may be taking medications that can lead to dehydration and this can further complicate their condition. Another factor that can contribute to dehydration in the elderly is age-related weakness, which makes them less able to drink frequently. Their sense of thirst may also be diminished, so they may not feel the need to drink as often as necessary. For these reasons, it is important for health care professionals and family members to be able to look for symptoms and signs of dehydration in older adults.
The best way to prevent dehydration in older adults is to make sure they are getting an adequate amount of water every day. They should also be encouraged to drink water often and to have drinking water and soup close at hand. When vomiting, diarrhea, or infection occurs, treatment and fluid replacement should be promptly sought.
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