Dehydration is a condition when a person does not consume enough fluid or loses a lot of fluid due to various reasons like vomiting, diarrhea. Without sufficient amounts of water, the human body cannot function properly. To maintain a healthy body, it is important to stay hydrated.
Every cell and organ in our body is dependent on receiving an adequate amount of fluid for proper hydration to discharge its basic functions. These functions include transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, keeping the temperature along with heart , blood pressure in check and creating saliva. Hence it is vital to keep up the required water level in the body as we tend to lose liquids easily during the day through the natural process like perspiration, going to the bathroom and sweating.
But people undergoing cancer treatment may be at a higher risk of suffering from dehydration. This is mostly due to nausea and vomiting or diarrhea. Additionally, cancer patients may have fewer white blood cells to ward off ailments or infections which can lead to a spike in body temperature. Other illnesses, medications and disabilities can also be a cause of dehydration.
Signs that may indicate dehydration:
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Dry skin
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Weak or irritability and tiredness or sluggishness
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Dry mouth with sticky mouth or a swollen tongue
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Dark yellow urine and constipation
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Dizziness and headaches, confusion
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Nausea
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Drop-in blood pressure
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Increased body temperature
Severe dehydration can be fatal and requires immediate medical care. In some cases, hospitalisation becomes necessary to directly inject fluids into the body. It is only after running tests will shed light on the exact cause of the condition and its extent. For people suffering from cancer, the fluid needs depend on many factors like the type of cancer they are suffering from. Patients suffering from gastrointestinal cancers are prone to dehydration than others due to loss of appetite and other issues or side effects.
So for such ailments, it is necessary to have the dietician calculate the fluid needs through charting meal plans. This helps not only in maintaining adequate fluid but also ensuring the right balance between calories and protein during the course of the treatment.
How to treat dehydration during cancer care:
Palliative care is an important part of cancer care and treatment. Every stage of dehydration requires different care so if the patient is suffering from a mild case of this condition, here are some tips that may help:
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Keep a water bottle that comes with the measurement mark enabling to keep a tab on the litres of water consumed
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A large glass of water is the best way to start the day
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If the patient has fatigue, ensure they have ice and drinks within their reach so they don’t have to move around much
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If a patient has diarrhea, then give drinks that have sodium or potassium content to help replace those lost minerals
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Keep sipping small amounts of fluid regularly if the patient is unable to drink large quantity in one-go
The amount of fluid an individual can consume is subject to many attributes like a medical condition, age, medications and lifestyle. It is always best to talk to your doctor and understand what’s right for you or the patient. Learn to recognise the signs of dehydration and accordingly take precautions.
