When the water content of the body plunges below permissible levels, it disturbs the delicate equilibrium of essential minerals present in body fluids. This can give rise to a dangerous situation called dehydration, wherein, an individual loses body fluids in excess of what he or she consumes.
Dehydration in turn can disrupt the normal metabolic functions of the body. Depending on the extent of bodily fluids lost (and not replenished in a timely manner), dehydration which is also known as hypo hydration, can be classified as mild, medium or severe. Dehydration can occur due to numerous factors including frequent urination, excessive sweating, high fever, vomiting and / or diarrhea (to name a few).
Unless adequate measures are taken to replenish lost body fluids immediately, mild or moderate dehydration can progress to severe dehydration, which requires immediate medical attention.
Various Home Remedies for Dehydration
1. Water
The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink plenty of water. People who are diagnosed with mild or moderate dehydration should be given plenty of water to drink.If a person is severely dehydrated, fluids are transmitted to the body intravenously. People who are likely to suffer from dehydration (like athletes and diabetics) should drink a minimum of two liters of water every day.
2. Watery Fruits
Watery fruits are basically fruits with high water content in them. Strawberries, cantaloupes, watermelons and bananas are few examples of watery fruits. Individuals, who are diagnosed with mild to moderate dehydration, should be fed plenty of watery fruits to normalize their body fluid levels.You can also give the patient fresh fruit juices prepared from watery fruits. To regularize electrolyte levels of the body, add a pinch of salt and sugar to the fruit juice.
3. Watery Vegetables
Watery vegetables, like watery fruits, possess higher than normal levels of water. Cucumber, tomato, zucchini and eggplants are examples of watery vegetables, which can be given to a patient who is suffering from mild dehydration.A salad prepared from fresh watery vegetables can be fed to a patient exhibiting the initial symptoms of dehydration, to regularize his or her body fluid levels.
4. Rice Gruel
A sound intervention option for dehydration is to feed the patient rice gruel. Rice gruel or congee is a thick rice porridge which is very popular in South Asian countries. In fact, in many Asian countries rice gruel is fed to patients suffering from diarrhea induced dehydration.Feed the dehydrated person rice gruel with a pinch of salt to normalize the electrolyte levels of the body. Rice gruel prepared from brown rice can replenish the depleted energy levels of the body due to dehydration.
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5. Coconut Water
Electrolyte rich coconut water can help to mitigate the ill effects of dehydration. You can dub coconut water as nature’s own sports drink.The high potassium and iron content of coconut water helps to restore the delicate electrolyte balance of the body. Ideally, feed the dehydrated individual fresh coconut water instead of packaged coconut water, sold in most supermarkets.
6. Epsom Bath
This is a little known home remedy for dehydration. People suffering from mild to moderate dehydration are asked to lie down and relax in an Epsom bath for ten to fifteen minutes.Epsom salts contain high amounts of magnesium. The magnesium which is absorbed by the body through the skin helps to counter the numerous negative symptoms of dehydration including extreme fatigue and muscle soreness.
7. Salt
As mentioned earlier, excessive sweating after doing some rigorous activity or performing a high intensity exercise routine can lead to mild dehydration. People exhibiting the classic symptoms of mild dehydration should be fed salty food like cracker biscuits, salted nuts and / or pretzel.In addition to eating the salty food, drink plenty of clean water as well. Consuming that extra amount of salt when you are dehydrated helps to regularize the electrolyte balance of the body. You can also add a pinch of salt to your drinking water to counter the ill effects of dehydration.
8. Buttermilk
Buttermilk is an excellent home remedy for dehydration. Drink freshly prepared buttermilk to re hydrate the body and to normalize the electrolyte imbalance.Spike the buttermilk with some dried ginger and a pinch of salt for added taste. You should drink buttermilk several times a day to recover from mild to moderate dehydration.
9. Baking Soda and Salt
You can prepare your very own oral re-hydration solution with a pinch of baking soda and salt. Boil and cool approximately one liter of water.Add half a teaspoon of baking soda, one teaspoon of salt and a two heaped teaspoons of sugar to the boiled and cooled water. Mix well with a long handled spoon. Drink this energizing and re-hydrating solution several times a day to overcome dehydration.
