Dehydration occurs when a person is
not taking in as much water as they are losing and seniors are more at risk for
the condition. Fluids allow our bodies to regulate
temperature through sweating, to maintain blood pressure and eliminate bodily
waste. The Mayo Clinic cites the
following reasons why older adults are more susceptible to dehydration: their ability
to conserve water is reduced, thirst sensation is less acute, and seniors do
not respond to fluctuations in temperature as well as when they were younger.
Not only does aging make a person less
aware of thirst but frail seniors may have more difficulty getting up to get a
drink and postpone doing it. Other factors include taking medications that may cause
patients to sweat more, or that act as a diuretic. Also it is around age 50
that the body’s kidneys do not conserve fluid as well as they use to, and after
age 70, the problem worsens. Another
reason seniors become dehydrated is they tend to eat less and sometimes,
especially for those living alone or in nursing homes, forget to eat and drink for
extended periods of time. Furthermore,
other problems that can interfere with getting adequate fluids are chronic
illness such as diabetes and dementia.
Dehydration is serious and can cause
confusion, weakness, urinary tract infections and kidney failure, pneumonia and
even death. Symptoms of mild dehydration
include: dryness of mouth; constipation; decreased urinate flow; dark or deep
yellow urine; cramping in the limbs; headaches, and sleepiness or
irritability.
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**This is for informational purposes only and
is not to be used in place of advice from your health care provider**
Sources:mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/basics/risk-factors/con-20030056
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