Concept and Etiology –
Dehydration is a common health disorder that can adversely impact
the reproductive system and urinary system of affected individuals.
The proper intake of water influences fertility in individuals. In men,
dehydration could lead to a decline in the quality of sperm and a
reduced volume of semen. In women, dehydration could affect the
normal menstrual cycle (Giersch et al., 2020). According to Torkan
(2021), dehydration can also intensify pain and menstrual distress in
females of reproductive age (Torkan et al., 2021). The medical
condition in affected individuals can lead to reduced production of
urine and increase the risk of the urinary system (Giersch et al.,
2020). It deviates from the definition of health as it affects the
wellness and well-being of individuals.
Classification –
Dehydration takes place when the body loses more fluid than it
consumes. The medical condition can be classified into hypotonic
dehydration, hypertonic dehydration, and isotonic water loss.
Hypotonic dehydration occurs when there is more sodium loss as
compared to water loss (Radlović et al., 2015). Hypertonic
dehydration takes place when the water loss exceeds the sodium
loss. Excess loss of water might occur through the skin, kidneys, and
lungs. Isotonic water loss occurs when both water and sodium are
lost from the body. Some of the causes include vomiting, sweating,
diarrhea, etc. (Vega & Avva, 2020).
Clinical Manifestations –
Some of the main symptoms of dehydration include feeling thirsty,
feeling exhausted, feeling light-headed, having dry eyes, mouth, and
lips, and peeing less than four times a day (NHS, 2021). The common
signs of severe dehydration include rapid breathing, fast heartbeat,
extremely dry skin, lack of energy, and sunken eyes. Both signs and
symptoms relating to the medical condition need to be identified in a
timely manner so that suitable treatment can begin.
Diagnostic Tests –
Several tests can be conducted in order to illuminate the diagnosis.
Generally, a doctor can diagnose the medical condition by simply
examining the physical signs and symptoms in an individual.
However, other aspects can also shed light on the condition, such as
low blood pressure, abnormal heart rate, and decline in blood flow to
the extremities in the body. Some of the common diagnostic tests
that can help to identify the common disorder in individuals include
blood tests and urinalysis. The sample of blood can be checked for
various factors like the level of electrolyte, specifically potassium and
sodium and the functioning of the kidney. Similarly, urinalysis can
help to show whether a person is dehydrated or not and the severity
of the condition.
References
Giersch, G. E., Charkoudian, N., Stearns, R. L., & Casa, D. J. (2020).
Fluid balance and hydration considerations for women: review and
future directions. Sports Medicine, 50(2), 253-261.
Radlović, N., Leković, Z., Vuletić, B., Radlović, V., & Simić, D. (2015).
Acute diarrhea in children. Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo, 143(11-
12), 755-762.
NHS. (2021). Dehydration. NHS choices. Retrieved November 24,
2021, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/.
Torkan, B., Mousavi, M., Dehghani, S., Hajipour, L., Sadeghi, N., Rad,
M. Z., & Montazeri, A. (2021). The role of water intake in the severity
of pain and menstrual distress among females suffering from primary
dysmenorrhea: a semi-experimental study. BMC Women's
Health, 21(1), 1-9.
Vega, R. M., & Avva, U. (2020). Pediatric dehydration. StatPearls
[Internet].
