Open AccessDehydration in adults and old people
Author(s) -
Ivo Casagranda,
Elena Vitale,
Eliana Giuffrè,
Dalio Cecconi
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
emergency care journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2282-2054
pISSN - 1826-9826
DOI - 10.4081/ecj.2007.3.12
Subject(s) - dehydration , medicine , thirst , tonicity , oliguria , hypernatremia , isotonic , weakness , saliva , body water , urine specific gravity , body fluid , plasma osmolality , anesthesia , sodium , body weight , vasopressin , surgery , biochemistry , chemistry , urine , renal function , organic chemistry
Dehydration is a decrease in total body water, reflected in altered serum sodium, osmolality and BUN elevation. There are three types of dehydration: hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic. The common signs and symtoms of dehydration are: thirst, dry mucous membranes and skin, poor skin turgor, dry tongue with longitudinal furrows, decreased saliva, muscle weakness, weight loss of 3-5% and oliguria. The therapy is based first on fluid replacement in hypovolemic states and after on balancing the hydro-electrolyte disorders with crystalloid solutions according to the Adrogué and Madias formula