As long as you drink water when you feel thirsty, there is no greater risk of you getting fluid deficiencies, especially in Sweden's cool climate. However, in severe vomiting and diarrhea, fluid deficiency can occur quickly. Then liquid replacement is an effective treatment.
Fluid deficiency occurs when the body loses more fluid than is supplied. Severe fluid deficiency leads to dehydration. Causes of fluid deficiency Adults are not as sensitive to fluid deficiency as children and usually drinking water when feeling thirsty is enough to maintain a good fluid balance.
Fluid deficiency occurs most easily when the body loses large amounts of fluid quickly, such as vomiting or diarrhea. It is also possible to suffer from fluid deficiency in high fever or heavy sweating, for example in severe physical exertion in hot climates.
The body can adapt to a warmer climate and better regulate the fluid balance so that you do not get any fluid deficiency but this takes about a week. A disease that affects the kidneys (kidney failure) can also lead to fluid deficiency as the kidneys play an important role in the regulation of fluid balance via, for example, urine.
As we get older, our ability to feel thirst is often impaired. This can lead to older people not drinking enough water and lacking fluid.
Symptoms of fluid deficiency tired, hungry, dry mouth, dry lips, dizziness and headache. Severe fluid deficiency can cause you to lose consciousness.
Treatment for fluid deficiency
The body has a system to warn the brain that we have absorbed too little fluid. This warning system makes us feel thirsty. As long as you drink water when you feel thirsty, there is usually no risk of you getting fluid deficiency. Fluid replacement is an effective way to prevent and treat mild to moderate fluid deficiency. In case of stomach ailments, water is good, but in fact fluid replacement is better as it contains sugar and salt which is also lost in vomiting and diarrhea. Severe fluid deficiency may require medical care to provide fluid replacement via drip. It restores fluid balance faster.