Dehydration crisis: 10-15% increase in kidney patients in Hyderabad spurs concern

Hyderabad: The climate in India is categorized as tropical monsoon, characterized by wet and dry seasons. The hot and humid climate in several states including Telangana increases the risk of ‘Silent Dehydration’.

Since the body loses fluid and electrolytes slowly, without major symptoms, the individual becomes prone to silent dehydration. A recent report has revealed the increase in kidney patients in Hyderabad by around 10-15%, expressing concerns over silent dehydration.

Experts downplay the common notion of gulping aerated and packaged drinks to stay hydrated as regressive and dangerous. Homemade drinks including buttermilk, fruits including watermelon and musk melon, and water-rich vegetables and fruits are suggested to beat the heat and overcome silent dehydration.

Silent dehydration is unnoticed

Unlike normal dehydration, which exhibits symptoms including thirst, fatigue, headache, dizziness, rapid breathing and heartbeat, fainting, low blood pressure, and seizures for mild, moderate, and severe conditions, silent dehydration remains unnoticed. The increase in kidney patients in Hyderabad, by 10-15% annually has raised concerns over the lack of awareness about silent dehydration.

Children and senior citizens are considered as high-risk groups to suffer from silent dehydration and should be immediately attended to, to ensure sufficient hydration. In May 2024, as heat waves swept across the country, several deaths were reported, the highest during the summer in recent history.

Dehydration is risky among older people as the body does not demand water and they refrain from consuming fluids to keep themselves hydrated.

Newborns are prone

Babies born during the summer are prone to suffer from silent dehydration since most newborns are breastfed.

Dr. Sharmila Pendyala, a senior pediatrician at Apollo Hospital, Jubilee Hills said, “The mother who delivers babies through C-section may not segregate enough milk to keep them hydrated in the first 3 days. Such babies come with severe irritable crying behavior and would have high sodium levels due to dehydration”.

She warned of acute kidney failures in extreme and rare cases, if not attended on time. The delay in ensuring treatment can lead to serious problems in the newborn.

Children depending on parents could be affected

“The children who play under the sun for a prolonged time are also prone to silent dehydration. Drinking water alone cannot keep them hydrated as there would be continuous sweating and loss of fluids”, Dr Sharmila said.

A section of children, depending on the parents to be fed with fluids are prone to suffer, since any prolonged delay in receiving treatment could affect kidney health.

“In most cases the kidney issues are reversible, but in rare conditions, it could result in thickening of blood causing fits or seizures and sinus venous thrombosis”, Dr. Sharmila said.

Juices and soft drinks worsen the condition

During summer, the sales of soft drinks shoot up, pointing to people consuming the drinks in large quantities. Experts warn of the negative effects of such practice since such drinks are bereaved of electrolytes.

“This is not a recommended solution. Such drinks will not quench the thirst, but aggravate the problem. They increase the sugar levels since sugar is high in aerated drinks. Soft drinks or aerated drinks do not help in hydration”, Dr Shiva Raju, senior consultant and diabetologist at KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad said.

“Though fruit juices are natural, they too contain high sugar and are not recommended for diabetic patients”, Dr. Sharmila said.

Order of preference for staying hydrated

Experts point to homemade drinks for rehydration, without any side effects.

“Buttermilk, lemon juice with salt and sugar, watermelon and muskmelon, fruits, and watery vegetables are the best solution to beat dehydration. They have natural vitamins, minerals, alkaline and low sugar levels”, Dr Sharmila said.

Consuming ragi porridge, barley water, and WHO ORS are suggested as other measures to stay hydrated.