How Can Drip Hydration Therapy Help Seniors Avoid Becoming Dehydrated?
Posted on: 25 February 2021
As people get older, they become more at risk for dehydration. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to becoming dehydrated when they become sick, as it can be difficult to drink enough fluids during an illness. Dehydration can be very dangerous, as severe dehydration can lead to fainting episodes. The quickest way you can combat dehydration is hydration IV drip therapy, in which fluids containing vitamins and electrolytes are administered directly into a vein. To learn more about why seniors commonly experience dehydration and how drip hydration therapy can help, read on.
Why Are Seniors Prone to Becoming Dehydrated?
Several physiological reasons contribute to seniors being more prone to dehydration. As people age, their natural thirst response becomes less sensitive, so seniors are more likely to become dehydrated by simply not drinking enough fluids. Kidney function also changes as people get older, typically resulting in more fluid being lost in the urine. This means that seniors often need to drink more fluids in order to avoid dehydration. When this is combined with the decreased level of thirst that seniors often experience, it's easy for seniors to accidentally become dehydrated.
In addition to the physiological effects of aging, some medications can also contribute to dehydration. High blood pressure is common among seniors, and they're usually prescribed diuretics to help control their blood pressure. Diuretics increase the amount of water that's expelled in urine, which increases the likelihood of dehydration.
What Are the Signs of Dehydration?
When people are dehydrated, they may feel lightheaded and experience dizzy spells. They may have a dry mouth, and they'll urinate less often. Confusion is also common during dehydration. As dehydration worsens, it can cause people to have difficulty walking due to intense dizziness. Dehydration also commonly causes a fast heart rate combined with low blood pressure — with less fluid circulating around in a person's blood vessels, the pressure is lower and the heart has to work harder in an attempt to circulate blood around the body.
How Can Hydration IV Drip Therapy Help Seniors Avoid Dehydration?
IV hydration is very useful for seniors who are experiencing dehydration symptoms since it's delivered directly into a vein. Delivering fluids, vitamins, and minerals into the circulatory system bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. If you drink fluids in order to combat dehydration, you'll have to wait until it's absorbed by the body before you'll see any results. Administering fluids into a vein improves hydration instantly, so dehydration symptoms will be alleviated more quickly. In addition, hydration IV drip therapy is a much more convenient way to rehydrate than drinking large quantities of fluids — all you need to do during an appointment is relax while the IV fluids are administered into a vein.
If you or someone you know frequently experiences bouts of dehydration, consider making regular appointments at a hydration IV drip therapy clinic. Dehydration can be dangerous for seniors, as severe dehydration can lead to fainting or difficulty walking without tripping. While IV drip therapy is more expensive than drinking large amounts of fluids, the hydration is instant.
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