NY’s Senator Temporarily Suffered From Dehydration: Know Signs, Check On Elderly, Vulnerable Loved Ones, Neighbors

Dehydration is one of the most often overlooked causes of issues for elderly people, both in New York and beyond.  Bringing this issue to the fore was our own Senator, who was just hospitalized for it.

While it’s an especially important issue during heat waves, it’s always something to keep in mind.  During a heat wave, though, one has a greater chance of collapsing or suffering from severe symptoms, which can lead to damage to your body from the heat and lack of water combination.

It should also be noted that dehydration tends to progress and worsen over time as the person ignores their body’s demands for water, eventually leading to dangerous situations.  In addition, many of the signs of dehydration are mistaken for other diseases or overlooked entirely, such as tachycardia and fatigue.

New Yorkers should learn the signs, and check on your loved ones and neighbors to make sure they’re drinking water.

Everyone needs reminding of just how much water a human needs.  Basically, we all need 8 8oz glasses of water or other fluid every day.  Coffee and tea DO NOT count! They are diuretics, and will make dehydration worse.

For those New Yorkers who hate the taste of plain water – ice cold or room temperature, they just hate it – there are many options that will satisfy their physical water requirement.  An incomplete list follows.  Keep in mind that a can of seltzer is 12oz, whereas a bottle of water is usually 16oz, so bear this in mind when determining how many you need of each (6 cans per day, 4 bottles):

– plain seltzer

– flavored seltzer such as Pellegrino brand

– plain water with a squeeze or two of a flavor enhancer (they make tons of flavors and options – find them in the drink aisle in your grocery store

– protein shake – this can be plant based or dairy based, depending on your preference, and they’re usually 12 ounces

– homemade flavored water – such as cucumber water, lemon water, orange water, etc. Place desired fruit into a big, fill with water, and steep for an hour or so, then serve chilled

– juice – this is the least desirable due to high sugar content, but for someone who won’t drink anything else…

– Vitamin Water – sweetened with fructose, this also contains electrolytes (this contains some sugar, so it might be best to cut it with water or seltzer, especially in cases where this becomes a big part of your fluid intake)

– various flavored waters and sodas  readily available at delis and grocery stores  – keep an eye on sugar content, as some have quite a bit

Statpearls on pubmed provides the following introduction to dehydration:

Dehydration in adults is a critical clinical condition resulting from an imbalance between fluid intake and losses, leading to electrolyte disturbances and potential multiple organ dysfunction. Adult dehydration can manifest with a wide range of symptoms—from mild thirst and weakness to severe issues, such as hypovolemic shock and neurological impairment. Dehydration is especially dangerous for vulnerable populations, including older adults, critically ill patients, and individuals with chronic medical conditions. Understanding the underlying causes, recognizing early warning signs, and implementing timely interventions are essential for preventing severe complications and improving patient outcomes.

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The condition often results from low fluid intake, increased fluid loss, or both, and is influenced by aging and medications. Diagnosis relies on laboratory tests, with treatment focusing on fluid replacement and addressing the underlying causes. Early recognition and timely intervention are essential for preventing complications and improving outcomes. This activity provides an in-depth review of adult dehydration, covering its etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and both medical and supportive treatment strategies. This activity also emphasizes evidence-based practices for effective fluid management while exploring best practices and prevention strategies. Additionally, this activity highlights the importance of interprofessional collaboration among healthcare providers and patient-centered care, offering valuable insights and practical tools to enhance patient safety, optimize clinical workflows, and improve healthcare outcomes.

The same page provides a summary of the signs and symptoms of dehydration, along with its treatment:

Clinically, dehydration presents with symptoms ranging from mild thirst and fatigue to severe complications such as confusion, hypotension, and multiple organ dysfunction.[3] Dehydration is a common cause of hospital admissions, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality while often complicating a range of medical conditions.[2] Dehydration is primarily diagnosed clinically, with laboratory investigations, including serum electrolytes, serum osmolality, and renal function tests, providing supportive information. Treatment focuses on correcting fluid and electrolyte imbalances through oral or intravenous (IV) rehydration while closely monitoring serum electrolytes and renal function.[4] 

Fortunately, dehydration is both preventable and treatable. Preventive measures, such as maintaining adequate fluid intake, regularly monitoring at-risk populations, and providing patient education—especially for older adults—are crucial for reducing its incidence and complications. A thorough understanding of dehydration’s causes, clinical signs, and diagnostic criteria can enhance patient care by ensuring early recognition, timely intervention, and the prevention of severe complications.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are four stages of heat related illness, with most of them having to do with hydration.  The signs and symptoms are below, along with a helpful infographic:

What are the four types of heat illness?

The four main types of heat illness, in order from mildest to most severe, include:

• Heat rash. This is a group of tiny, itchy bumps on your skin that develop when sweat gets trapped beneath your skin. Usually, you can manage heat rash at home by keeping your skin cool and dry and using anti-itch creams.
• Heat cramps (also called exercise-associated muscle cramps). These are muscle cramps in your legs, arms, belly or elsewhere. They typically occur when you’re exerting yourself in the heat and sweating a lot. Heat cramps are a mild form of heat-related illness, and you’ll usually have a normal or slightly elevated body temperature. But these cramps are a warning that more severe illness could occur if you don’t take steps to cool down.
• Heat exhaustion. This is a moderate form of heat illness that can quickly turn into heat stroke without treatment. It happens when you lose too much water and/or salt, typically when exerting yourself in the heat. Your internal body temperature is elevated but below 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting and headache.
• Heat stroke. This is a life-threatening heat illness. It’s when your internal body temperature gets very high — typically above 104 degrees F. You have symptoms of heat exhaustion plus signs of brain dysfunction (encephalopathy), like confusion, behavior changes and slurred speech. Heat stroke can occur from doing physical activity in the heat (exertional heat stroke) or simply from being in a hot environment for too long (classic/non-exertional heat stroke).

Credit – Cleveland Clinic

Banner Image: Lemon water. Image Credit – Melissa Walker Horn