Fluid Loss: Causes, Treatment & Help

Without food, humans can survive for a few weeks if necessary. Without hydration, man dies after about three days. He gradually becomes poisoned. Fluid loss, or desiccosis, can therefore be life-threatening and, at worst, fatal. How can fluid loss occur and how can it be prevented? To what extent do diseases contribute to fluid loss?

What is fluid loss?

Fluid loss can have many causes. Dehydration symptoms can occur especially in the elderly or those in high need of care. Fluid loss is the condition of inadequate hydration of the body, either because the body has been given too little fluid or as a result of causes that actively cause fluid loss in the body, such as disease. Dehydration cannot be measured in liters or milliliters across the board in the body; rather, there are a number of typical dehydration symptoms in which fluid loss manifests itself. The body becomes intoxicated, as toxins or waste products from the body can no longer be adequately excreted in the urine.

Causes

Fluid loss can have many causes. The elderly or those in need of high levels of care may be particularly susceptible to dehydration, as they usually suffer from multiple illnesses or limitations at the same time that promote dehydration. They are often incontinent and therefore tend to want to drink little, have poor eyesight, or forget to hydrate. Illnesses, especially diarrhea, can also cause fluid loss. However, fluid loss can also occur as a result of over-intensive exercise in high outdoor temperatures. Fever and the excessive sweating associated with it can also dehydrate the body. Similarly, diabetes-related illnesses (diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus) lead to an increased frequency of excretion, which promotes fluid loss. The causes can be many and should always be examined by a doctor if in doubt.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Diabetes insipidus
  • Gastrointestinal flu
  • Diabetic coma
  • Acute renal failure
  • Bacterial infection
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Adrenocortical insufficiency
  • Blood poisoning
  • Burn

Diagnosis and course

The diagnosis of hydration is relatively easy to make through the skin condition. It looks parchment-like, if you draw a crease with your thumb and forefinger, for example on the back of the hand, this crease remains. If the skin were sufficiently hydrated, the skin would immediately return to its original state. Generally, the skin appears wrinkled and undersupplied, even with initial fluid loss as an acute condition. Usually, hallucinations also occur or other psychological features. Delirium may also occur. The course is ultimately fatal if not treated, since urea is not excreted. If the body is no longer supplied with fluids or if the loss is too great despite supply (due to illness), the body dries out and dies. There is also an increased risk of suffering thrombosis or similar diseases. The blood “thickens”, clots can form, which can cause embolisms, strokes or heart attacks.

Complications

A lack of fluid, also called dehydration or dehydration, is associated in most cases with a disturbance of salt balance (electrolyte balance). If the fluid loss rises to 12 to 15 %, shock can occur, which is first represented by acute circulatory weakness and subsequently by a disturbance of consciousness. If the fluid deficiency is not compensated for immediately, symptoms such as lethargy and confusion, and even delirium or coma, may develop. If diarrhea and vomiting have led to dehydration, these symptoms may intensify and persist, leading to further loss of fluids and electrolytes. On the other hand, just like high fever, these symptoms may be secondary rather than triggering. If the lack of fluid is not quickly compensated, the blood plasma may thicken and the risk of thrombosis increases significantly. As a result, venous blood vessels may become blocked. In severe cases, acute kidney failure occurs.This risk is particularly high in the case of pre-damaged kidneys. If the dehydration was caused by an infection, for example a salmonella infection, it must be clarified whether pathogens have already entered the bloodstream. In rare cases, there is a risk of pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium) as well as endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart). Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs), spondylitis (inflammation of the vertebral bodies), osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone marrow), arthritis (inflammation of the joints), or meningitis (meningitis) also cannot be ruled out entirely.

When should you see a doctor?

There are various causes for fluid loss. In addition to drinking too little or increased sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, fever or metabolic disorders such as diabetes can also lead to fluid loss to a significant extent. In addition to the loss of fluid itself, there is always a loss of electrolytes, which are extremely important for the body. For this reason, it makes sense to have a physical fluid loss examined by a doctor as early as possible. The doctor can use his experience to assess whether his patient’s fluid loss needs to be treated with medication or whether conservative therapy with a change in diet, including drinking plenty of fluids and otherwise waiting it out, is sufficient. He also knows that in the case of fluid loss, viruses, bacteria or parasites may be possible causes. This may require more extensive treatment and is another reason to see a doctor immediately in the event of fluid loss. Patients who console themselves with the fact that, for example, they have just had another bout of gastroenteritis and that the associated fluid loss is normal are acting recklessly. Fluid loss is not only dangerous in itself, but can trigger other dangerous diseases such as thromboses, heart attacks and strokes. This is because fluid loss also affects the blood, which becomes thicker or more viscous. So, the timely visit to the doctor in case of fluid loss, in addition to the therapy for it, also has a preventive effect against other diseases.

Treatment and therapy

In all cases of threatening chronic or acute fluid loss, the patient will receive an infusion, ideally an intravenous infusion placed in the vein. However, a subcutaneous infusion, i.e., an infusion through the skin, is also possible, but is metabolized much more slowly by the body. Depending on the type of fluid loss, nutrients or minerals may also be added to this infusion, but it is usually a simple saline solution (NaCl = sodium chloride) that the patient at risk receives. Further, of course, the treatment of a possible underlying disease is in the foreground. If a diarrheal disease is present, it will be treated.

Outlook and prognosis

In case of fluid loss, a very unhealthy and also threatening condition for the body occurs. This must be avoided at all costs or treated immediately. If fluid loss continues and is not treated, death usually occurs after three days. As a result of the fluid loss, physical functions become severely impaired. Delusions, headaches, delirium and coma occur. It is not uncommon for fluid loss to occur with fever and gastrointestinal illness. In this case, the patient must increase fluid intake to make up for the loss. Prolonged fluid loss can lead to kidney failure. In most cases, the fluid loss can be treated well. For this purpose, the patient is administered an infusion, which supplies him not only with fluid, but also with important nutrients. Minerals are also contained in this infusion. The affected person should drink plenty of fluids during the day to prevent fluid loss. This is especially true on hot summer days and during strenuous physical activity. In most cases, treatment leads to success and no further restrictions occur.

Prevention

As a preventive measure, care can be taken to drink enough fluids daily. Diluted fruit juices or juice spritzers, unsweetened teas or mineral water are best for this purpose. Humans should consume about two liters of fluid a day, some of which we already take in through foods such as yogurt or fruits and vegetables (melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.).During sports, flu symptoms or on hot days, the fluid intake should be adapted to the new conditions in any case. For example, 1/2 liter should be drunk for every half hour of exercise to prevent exsiccosis (dehydration). Diseases that lead to fluid loss should always be treated. Especially in immunocompromised people, i.e., the sick, the elderly, or young children, fluid loss can very quickly become life-threatening. Infusions can also be administered as a preventive measure in high-risk patients, but this should not be a permanent solution. Fluid loss is not to be taken lightly and should always be treated.

Here’s what you can do yourself

Inadequate hydration can cause severe damage, and in the worst cases, death. In cases of acute dehydration, provide the patient with fluids and call 911 immediately. In less severe cases, dehydration can be self-corrected. Often affected are elderly people who deliberately drink little or no longer develop an adequate sense of thirst because of urinary incontinence. These people should regularly perform a self-test. This involves squeezing the skin on the hand or forearm. If the skin fold created in this way does not smooth out again immediately, the body is not sufficiently supplied with fluid. Those affected should then draw up a drinking plan and adhere to it consistently. Fluid loss also frequently occurs during or after sports. Endurance athletes in particular should therefore always carry a water bottle with them and take regular drinking breaks. The risk of dehydration is particularly high at high temperatures. Sports should therefore not be done during the midday heat or on days with extreme temperatures. In addition, care must be taken to ensure an adequate supply of minerals after heavy sweating. If the fluid loss is due to diarrhea, the patient can first treat the underlying disease. In naturopathy, charcoal comprettes are recommended, which bind bacteria and their toxins. Dried blueberries are also considered a mild remedy for diarrhea. At the same time, the patient should drink enough fluids and consume salty cookies containing sodium, so that the body can also retain the supplied fluid.