What Are the Symptoms of Severe Dehydration in Humans?
Water is a more essential substance than food, and we need to intake sufficient amounts of it every day to maintain the normal functioning of our lives. If there is a long-term or severe lack of water, it can easily lead to the decline of bodily organs. In severe cases, it can even lead to death. When we experience severe dehydration, our bodies will show some warning signs, such as feeling dry in the mouth. At this time, it is necessary to replenish water promptly.
Dehydration refers to a condition in which the human body cannot replenish water in time due to illness or excessive consumption, resulting in metabolic disorders. Severe dehydration can lead to collapse and even life-threatening situations, requiring intravenous infusion to replenish bodily fluids. Depending on the changes in blood sodium or osmotic pressure accompanying the reduction of extracellular fluid, dehydration can be further classified into three types: hypotonic dehydration (reduced extracellular fluid with low blood sodium), hypertonic dehydration (reduced extracellular fluid with high blood sodium), and isotonic dehydration (reduced extracellular fluid with normal blood sodium).
Dehydration can be divided into three degrees based on weight loss (water loss) and clinical manifestations: 1. Mild dehydration involves a water loss accounting for 2% to 3% of body weight or a weight loss of 5%, accompanied by general neurological symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and slightly reduced skin elasticity. Hypertonic dehydration is accompanied by thirst. 2. Moderate dehydration involves a water loss accounting for 3% to 6% of body weight or a weight loss of 5% to 10%, with obvious physical signs of dehydration and the beginning of circulatory dysfunction. 3. Severe dehydration involves a water loss accounting for more than 6% of body weight or a weight loss of more than 10%, with worsening of the aforementioned symptoms, and even shock and coma.
In individuals with normal thirst sensation, hypertonic dehydration is rarely caused when water is available and can be consumed, as the slight increase in plasma osmotic pressure during the early stages of water loss stimulates the thirst center. Plasma osmotic pressure can be restored after drinking water. Dehydration can be classified into three types based on the osmotic pressure of extracellular fluid: hypertonic (primary) dehydration, which is primarily due to water loss; hypotonic (secondary) dehydration, which is primarily due to sodium loss; and isotonic dehydration, which involves the proportional loss of water and sodium according to their respective concentrations in the plasma.
