Dehydration

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The human body is made up of 70% water. Water is essential to the normal working of the body. It lubricates joints and eyes, aids digestion, flushes out waste and toxins and keeps skin healthy.

Dehydration is when the normal water content of the body is reduced. This leads to a change in the vital balance of chemical substances in the body, especially sodium (salt) and potassium. The function of many cells depends critically on these substances being maintained at the correct levels; serious effects follow any change and dehydration can result in shock, then death.

The risk from dehydration is especially great in babies, infants and older people. It is important that they are treated urgently.

Water loss resulting from an illness such as gastroenteritis can put great strain on an infant because its body is largely made up of water. A newborn babyâ€™s body mass is 80% water and a 12 month old infantâ€™s body mass is 60% water. Depending on the length of the illness and how the infant responds to re-hydration therapy, there should be a successful recovery.