Debby Krzesni is a busy woman. The registered dietitian and STRONG coordinator for Area 1 Agency on Aging travels to senior centers with dining sites in Humboldt and Del Norte counties fielding questions about nutritional health and wellness.

Dehydration is always a topic of conversation. Too many older adults fail to drink enough fluids. Some are not aware that certain health conditions — fever and gastrointestinal illness, for example — increase the risk of dehydration and the need for fluid intake.

”Studies show one in three older adults may not get enough fluid,” Krzesni said. “What they don’t realize is that dehydration can be dangerous and even fatal.”

Fluid helps to carry oxygen and energy to the body and take away waste products.

“without fluids, the body can’t do any of those things. our bodies cannot store fluid, so it must be replaced every day,” she said.

That can be especially challenging for older adults, who often have a decreased thirst sensation.

”they may not even recognize they are thirsty,” Krzesni said.

Below, Krzesni gives some clues to preventing dehydration.

Why is dehydration more common in older adults?

Generally speaking, older adults have less body water than younger adults — 50 percent of their weight is water versus 60 percent for younger adults. also, the thirst sensation isn’t the only thing that declines with age. Kidneys may also function less efficiently.

Changes in physical condition also have an impact. People who have a hard time walking, reaching for a glass or feeding themselves may have a hard time getting to fluids. Then there are the cognitive declines in aging — confusion and deteriorating memory — that can make it hard to stay on top of fluid intake.

What other things affect our ability to stay hydrated?

The environment, medications and physical activity play a role. People perspire more in a hot or humid environment or when they walk, weight lift or garden. sometimes medications, especially diuretics, can result in fluid loss.

Diuretics are used to treat heart failure and hypertension, which are common ailments in older adults. You need to know if your medicines are diuretics as they will make you go to the bathroom with greater frequency. Lasix and Hyzaar, for example, are diuretics. Laxatives are another cause of fluid loss.

What are the signs and symptoms of dehydration?

Dehydration is identified many different ways. Weight loss, increased heart rate and low blood pressure are three symptoms. Decreased skin firmness is another. The skin of a dehydrated person lacks its normal elasticity and sags back into position slowly when pinched up into a fold. Normally, the skin springs back into position.

Other signs are dry mouth and tongue, decreased urination, constipation or fecal impaction, nausea, anorexia, sunken eyeballs and decreased functional ability. In some cases, dehydration can cause weakness, trembling, lethargy or confusion.

Some of these are easily observed. Decreased urination, for example, often results in darker, more concentrated urine that has a strong odor, which can be ammonia-like.

How much fluid does a person need every day?

Contrary to popular lore, it’s not eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Fluid needs are based on a person’s body size and health conditions. A registered dietitian can help you figure out your fluid requirement. It’s better to drink too much than too little.

What are the best sources of fluids?

Milk, juice, coffee, tea and water all count as fluids. keep in mind that caffeinated coffee and tea act like diuretics — they increase the need to go to the bathroom. Milk provides protein, calcium and vitamin D. Juice does not have the same nutritional value as whole fruit, but can add significant calories that may not be needed.

Is there fluid in foods?

Yes. Individuals who eat well can get the equivalent of two to three 8-ounce glasses of water from the fluids found in the foods they eat. Fruits and vegetables have high water content. So do soups, gelatin and pudding. Dry foods — think snack foods, cookies, and cheeses — have low water content. If a person is not eating well, they may need additional fluids to make up for the fluids they are not consuming.

How can you prevent dehydration in an older adult?

Given that we can’t rely on feeling thirsty as we age, a good idea is to establish a habit of drinking favorite fluids at every meal and at set times between them. Build habits early in life that encourage fluid intake without relying on feeling thirst.

Give these suggestions a try:

– Include a beverage with each meal and snack.

– keep fluids handy. A pitcher of water with lemon slice in the refrigerator can be very appealing.

– when sitting to watch a TV show, bring a beverage with you to enjoy.

– when you take your medications, drink more water than you need to swallow them.

– If you have trouble remembering to drink enough, pour a half-gallon of water in a pitcher every morning. Use it for any beverage needs during the day. when it’s empty, you’ve likely had enough fluid.

– Eat the recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables each day for essential nutrients and fluids.

– make a healthy soup meal, but look for lower sodium varieties.

– Take a water bottle on outings.

For more information, contact Krzesni at 442-3763, ext. 203 or email .

Although there are three different kinds of diabetes, the primary set of symptoms to be encountered are ordinarily those of hyperglycaemia, or an excess in blood sugar levels (glucose), and this shall be primary indicator something isn’t instead right.

The symptoms of hyperglycaemia may include blurred vision, fatigue, elevated thirst and hunger and elevated urination.

In a Type one diabetic, the onset of hyperglycaemia is usually fairly abrupt due to actuality the pancreas isn’t creating any insulin at all, or virtually no insulin at all. this signifies there is definitely absolutely no outlet for the glucose, as the levels just build and build rapidly. Type one diabetes is particularly dangerous and can outcome in death. it accustomed to be generally known as Juvenile Diabetes, since it usually only impacts the young, and any symptoms shouldn’t be overlooked and medical doctors needs to be consulted immediately getting a produce a difference of urgency.

For Type 2 diabetics, hyperglycaemia may take a lengthy the perfect time to develop on the point the symptoms is usually felt and noticed. many individuals go through their entire day-to-day lives unaware they have Type 2 diabetes, and take many within the symptoms as simply getting signals of aging, especially contemplating that Type 2 Diabetes ordinarily impacts the center aged adults onwards, hence its former title Adult Diabetes. In fairly recent years, due on the sum of children establishing Type 2 Diabetes due to poor consuming routine plans and obesity (the prime causes of Type 2 Diabetes), the title simply became Type 2 Diabetes.

As the symptoms of hyperglycaemia in Type 2 Diabetes is usually particularly subtle, many individuals are fully unaware they have diabetes at all. Type 2 Diabetes is triggered by people of two factors, the primary factor getting a deficiency of insulin creation within the pancreas, the 2nd getting a condition generally known as ‘insulin resistance’. this is where your body begins to reject admission within the insulin, which carries the glucose. Therefore, a person’s body not only will become starved of glucose getting a fuel, but begins accumulating the glucose in the blood, which now has no outlet. your body may make an effort to flush some within the glucose out within your body via urine.

Gestational Diabetes may maybe be the most difficult form of diabetes to detect as the symptoms are so associated to a common being pregnant it is usually just about extremely hard to differentiate. For example, fatigue, elevated hunger and thirst, and elevated urination.

Gestational Diabetes is usually a momentary form of diabetes which disappears quickly following the pregnancy, although it may probably leave the mother and child susceptible to establishing permanent Type 2 Diabetes in the future.

Another be uneasy concerning Gestational Diabetes shall be injuries it may probably do on the baby, which could probably be respiratory or cardiac problems, stillborn or passing away quickly after birth. Untreated Gestational Diabetes can be also a contributing factor in later health difficulties as the baby reaches adulthood this sort of as chronic obesity.

If you believe you’ve got even slightly felt any within the aforementioned symptoms of hyperglycaemia, it really is highly essential the thing is your G.P. as quickly as possible. Diabetes isn’t a problem you like to second guess yourself, since it is usually fatal, particularly in the situation of Type one Diabetes.

Although diabetes is usually an particularly dangerous disorder, upon diagnosis it really is particularly treatable. the most essential things for just about any diabetic to attempt to do are to take any prescribed prescribed drugs and monitor blood sugar levels levels regularly. If you’ve got been recommended by your medical professional to take together with you an disaster insulin / glucose kit, you will need to attempt to do so in any value times, since it may probably be fatal not to. the other good reasons include ample exercise to aid regulate glucose levels, and a nourishing well balanced diet.

If I thought I was having hepatitis symptoms and got check and the results were negative
But continue having the symptoms this month would the outcome of the test change?
If you are having hepatitis symptoms and get check would it bring out a positive result?
Exp Hepatitis + symptoms= a positive results

My symptoms:
Are body aches
headaches
Pressure on side of head
Dark urine (not a coke color more of a darker yellow)
Tingling on both legs feet hands
Pain in legs and feet (minor)
More than usual thirst that I cant fulfill
Dry eyes and blur vision
Pain over my liver and a bit more down
Pain in my back right on my shoulder blade region and located right be hide my liver sometimes the pain travels for the front to the back

I was tested for hep last month and showed negative to a b c and no antibodies at the time tested I was having a lot of pain over my liver (fatty liver) and right stomach region