Children will get all kinds of bugs in the course of their lives, and many have stomach upsets and vomiting a few times per year during their childhood, with no ill effect on their long-term wellbeing. These are normal childhood illnesses and are generally quickly recovered from and moved on. One dangerous side effect of these types of bugs, however, is dehydration, and parents should be able to identify the five signs of dehydration in order to maintain family wellness.
Dehydration occurs when the human body has less than normal levels of fluids. As fluids are vital to all processes in the human body, a lack of fluids can be a serious thing and can cause serious illness. Children, in particular, can become dehydrated very quickly, particularly those under the age of five, when they lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhoea, as well as through the excessive sweating that often accompanies a fever. Children who are ill may also feel less inclined to take in their normal levels of fluid through food and drink.
Most children get over a stomach bug such as gastroenteritis very quickly, but it is still the cause of 300 deaths every year in the United States.
Symptoms of diarrhoea to watch out for include a decreased urine output. Look out for dry nappies or children visiting the bathroom less frequently than usual. Dark-coloured urine is also a sign that there is some level of dehydration in your child. A child who cries fewer tears is a sure sign of dehydration as the inability to produce fluid in this way often occurs. The soft, moist mucous membranes, such as those on the inside of your child’s mouth also tend to dry up with dehydration. Children who don’t appear to be producing sweat may be dehydrated, too. Finally, a child who has a faster heartbeat than normal may be suffering from dehydration.
If you observe any of these five symptoms in your child, you should offer fluids and take them to see a doctor as a matter of urgency.
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