Unit 1 - Dysphagia

Lesson 1.1 Dysphagia

1.1.5.2 Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions.

  1. Because fluid intake is restricted in most patients with dysphagia, these individuals are at risk of dehydration. It leads to increased medical costs, morbidity, and mortality. Therefore, the patient's hydration status must be closely monitored and rapidly corrected.

  2. Dehydration may lead to lethargy, mental confusion, and increased aspiration. In addition, dehydration depresses the immune system, making the patient susceptible to infection, and it may also be a risk factor for pneumonia, because it decreases salivary flow (thus promoting altered microbial colonization of the oropharynx).

Other symptoms of dehydration include:

  • Feeling very thirsty

  • Dry mouth

  • Urinating and sweating less than usual

  • Dark-colored urine

  • Dry skin

  • Feeling tired

  • Dizziness

  • Confusion

  • Fainting

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Rapid breathing

  • Shock.