Preventing and managing dehydration

Sufficient body water and electrolyte homeostasis are essential for healthy physiologic functioning. Nurses are key to preventing, detecting early, and treating fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Dehydration significantly alters both physical and psychological functioning, and older adults are at increased risk. Identifying fluid disorders early can prevent complications and reduce hospital stays. Understanding the mechanisms of [...]

Children at risk of developing dehydration from diarrhoea: a case-control study.

To identify the factors related to dehydration from diarrhoea, a hospital-based case-control study was carried out among under-2-year-old Bangladeshi children. The study compared 80 cases who had 'some' or severe dehydration with 160 age-matched controls who had 'no signs' of dehydration. All the cases and controls were examined and the mothers were interviewed in the [...]

By |2013-01-31T09:55:07+00:00enero 31st, 2013|Children, Scientific papers|0 Comments

Delirium and dehydration: some fluid for thought?

Delirium is a frequent complication of advanced cancer. It is characterized by cognitive deficits and behavioral disturbance, and therefore can potentially result in severe symptom distress and impeded communication between patient and family and between patient and medical staff. The reversibility of delirium depends on its underlying causes. Delirium is multifactorial in origin, and precipitating [...]

By |2013-01-31T09:55:07+00:00enero 31st, 2013|Mental health, Scientific papers|0 Comments

Fluid restriction in heart failure patients: is it useful? The design of a prospective, randomised study.

Thirst is a common and troublesome symptom for patients with moderate to severe heart failure. The pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment as well as the nature of the disease itself causes increased thirst. There is no evidence in the literature about the usefulness of fluid restriction for heart failure patients. Formerly, when very little pharmacological treatment was available, fluid restriction was one of the few interventional options [...]