In 1994, thousands of starving people died in the African nation of Rwanda. This was not because of a lack of food that killed most of these people, but cholera, a bacterial infection that cripples the intestinal lining cells to reabsorb water. Severe diarrhea that develops can kill in days, sometimes even hours.

Cholera & Dehydration

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Dehydration is deadly!
Dehydration is a deficiency condition that occurs when the output of water exceeds intake. It is a great problem for athletes, military personnel, and certain industrial workers.

Dehydration

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This condition may develop following excessive sweating or as a result of prolonged water deprivation accompanied by continuous water output. In either case, as water is lost, the extracellular fluid becomes increasingly more concentrated and water tends to leave cells by osmosis. Dehydration may also accompany illnesses in which prolonged diarrhea and vomiting deplete body fluids.

Symptoms of Dehydration

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During dehydration, the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth feel dry, and body weight drops. Severe hypothermia may develop as the body temperature-regulating mechanism becomes less effective due to a lack of water required for sweating. In severe cases, as waste products accumulate in the extracellular fluid, symptoms of cerebral disturbances, including mental confusion, delirium, and coma, may develop.

Dehydration in infants

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The kidneys of infants are less able to conserve water than those of adults, therefore, infants are more likely to become dehydrated. Elderly people are also susceptible to developing water imbalances because the sensitivity of their thirst mechanisms decreases with age and physical disabilities may make it difficult for them to obtain adequate fluids. They may also avoid drinking water because of their inability to go to the toilet.

The body of an average female is about 52% water by weight and of an average man about 63% water. Females generally have more adipose tissue, which has little water. Men have more muscle tissue which contains a great deal of water. Water in the body, about 40 liters, together with its dissolved electrolytes, is distributed into two major compartments: an Intracellular fluid compartment and an extracellular compartment. Extracellular fluid: 37%, Intracellular fluid: 63%.

The treatment for dehydration is to replace the loss of water and electrolytes. If only water is replaced, the extracellular fluid will become more dilute than normal. This may produce a condition called water intoxication.

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