Hydration, or an adequate supply of water in the body, is essential for life and considered a crucial component of overall nutrition. When the human body does not receive or maintain the right amount of water, the health implications are devastating. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to the water they need. Some people rely on others to stay hydrated, like certain residents in nursing homes. If a nursing home or caregiver is neglecting hydration, a life could be at risk.
If a loved one in your life suffered health issues due to the failure of a nursing home to provide adequate hydration, you could be eligible for financial compensation. You may want the help of a New York City dehydration lawyer. You can call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336 to discuss your case with a team member.
Why Hydration Is Important
The human body is a complex machine and needs water and other nutrients on a daily basis in order to function in a healthy manner. Organs, tissues, and even individual cells rely on water. Dehydration, or the failure to stay hydrated, can cause anything from minor discomfort to serious ailments and health conditions. In severe cases, dehydration can be life-threatening. Whether you are young, middle-aged, or elderly, relatively inactive or a frequent exerciser, hydration is a necessary part of your health.
Causes of Dehydration
People acquire water through various foods and drinks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the average adult consumes 39 ounces of water daily, but dehydration can occur when water intake is less than the amount of water the body loses. Feeling thirsty is your body’s way of telling you that you might be getting dehydrated.
Hydration needs vary from person to person. Height, weight, gender, medical history, and activity level can all affect hydration needs. If you are particularly active, your water intake should be higher because you are losing water through sweat and metabolic activity.
But staying hydrated is not as simple as just drinking more water. Some people rely on others to help them stay hydrated. Others could take particular medications that deplete water levels in the body. Many people do not have access to clean or safe water, or fully understand the importance of staying hydrated.
Another cause of dehydration is illness. If you have a fever causing excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting, you are losing valuable fluids and could become dehydrated.
Age is also a risk factor for dehydration. Sometimes, elderly people lose their sense of thirst, even if their bodies need water. Some elderly individuals can also become easily confused and forget to replenish fluids throughout the day.
Those who rely on others for their daily needs, like nursing home residents, can become dehydrated through no fault of their own. If a caregiver or third party is responsible for keeping your loved one hydrated, they should diligently look for symptoms and warning signs that dehydration is occurring. If a form of negligence played a role in the dehydration of a loved one living in a nursing home, this could be grounds for a legal claim against responsible parties.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of dehydration include:
- Thirst
- Discolored urine
- Less frequent urination
- Mental and physical fatigue
- Rapid heart rate, or increase in breathing rate
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Muscle cramping or tightness
- Dry mouth, or viscous saliva
- Difficult or irregular bowel movements
For a free legal consultation with a New York City Dehydration Lawyer serving New York City, call (800) 794-0444
The Health Effects of Dehydration
Dehydration can lead to several illnesses ranging in severity. Minor effects of dehydration might just be the presence of symptoms like dry mouth, lethargy, and headaches. Moderate or chronic dehydration can lead to sunken eyes, dry skin, or irritability, along with the accompanying standard symptoms.
Severe dehydration can lead to long-term health conditions and even become life-threatening. Severely dehydrated individuals may have difficulty urinating, staying focused, and can even lose consciousness. Other effects of severe dehydration include damage to the tissues and organs.
If a loved one is exhibiting signs of dehydration, regardless of severity, you should seek guidance from a medical professional.
If a caregiver or third party has failed to keep your loved one hydrated, there could be legal options available. Any pain, suffering, or loss of health due to improper hydration could be a form of negligence. A lawyer from the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you understand your options. Call us today to speak to a team member regarding your case—the first consultation is free.
Treatments
Treating dehydration begins with the administration of fluids, along with treatment for any immediate side effects of being dehydrated. Treatment should take place under the guidance and supervision of a medical professional. If you or a loved one is dehydrated, be sure to get help immediately. Nothing is more important than your health.
Sometimes, dehydration is preventable. If your loved one is living in a nursing home, it is the nursing home’s responsibility to keep your loved one safe and healthy. Failure to do so could be a form of neglect. In cases like these, it could be beneficial to speak with a legal professional.
New York City New York City Dehydration Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Contact a New York City Dehydration Lawyer
If a loved one was the victim of negligence or other actions that resulted in dehydration, you could be able to take legal action. Depending on the case, some victims are able to recover financial compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Speaking with a New York City dehydration lawyer could help you understand your legal options and evaluate the best course of action. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336 today to discuss your situation during a free no-obligation consultation with a team member.
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