Dehydration can occur due to less water intake and can cause several issues. Due to the absence of water, the body cannot function properly, and we have to suffer the consequences. Can Dehydration Cause Abdominal Pain? Those who have this problem might want to know the answer. To answer your queries, we have explained all the symptoms, causes and solutions to eliminate this pain.
What Causes Dehydration?
The most obvious cause of dehydration is not drinking enough water. But this is not the only reason. Sometimes, we drink water, but our bodies cannot absorb it due to the lack of salts that are responsible for water absorption in our guts. Dehydration can also occur in case of illness like diarrhea, which causes extreme water loss from the body. Apart from this, too much sweating due to any disorder or extreme workout can also cause dehydration. Factors like high temperature and low humidity can also increase the risk of dehydration.
The Link Between Dehydration and Abdominal Pain
For our gut to function properly, we need a hydrated body. Lack of water can disrupt the whole mechanism of our body, and abdominal pain is part of this disruption. Our body needs water for the proper digestion of food. If the food is not digested properly, we can have bloating and constipation. These two situations cause abdomen discomfort.
Another link between them is the irritation in the lining of the stomach walls, which causes pain. Muscle cramping can also occur in the abdomen if you do extreme physical activity with a dehydrated body.
Types of Dehydration
Mainly dehydration is of three types:
Isotonic Dehydration: If the body loses water and electrolytes like sodium, then it is termed as isotonic dehydration. It occurs when a person has severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Hypotonic Dehydration: This occurs when you are intaking water, but the lack of electrolytes stops its absorption. The water you take is not added to the blood and is wasted in the form of urine.
Hypertonic Dehydration: In this type, the salt concentration is more than the water level. This happens when you do not drink enough water.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Many symptoms of dehydration can contribute to abdominal pain through several mechanisms. Following are the symptoms that show how abdominal pain due to dehydration occurs.
Constipation: The lack of water decreases bowel movement, which leads to constipation. Stool becomes hard and difficult to pass, which causes pain in the abdomen.
Gastric Distress: Insufficient intake of water can cause gastric problems in the gut. The symptoms include bloating and cramping in the abdomen.
Electrolyte Imbalance: The level of electrolytes like sodium and potassium can vary due to decrease in fluid intake. This causes muscular spams leading to abdominal discomfort.
Solutions and Remedies
To treat abdominal pain, we have to hydrate our body properly. Follow our remedies:
- Change your water drinking habits. Drink 8 glasses during normal day activities. If you are doing strenuous work, increase the amount.
- In high temperatures and low humidity, try to drink more water.
- Eat water-rich fruits like watermelon, oranges, cucumber, pineapple, etc.
- Never keep yourself thirsty for a long time.
- Balance electrolytes by eating salty foods but not exceeding the limit.
When to Visit Doctor
Proper rehydration of the body can relieve you from the pain in the abdomen. But, if the pain persists, do not waste your time; visit a doctor. The pain can also be due to other causes, and prolonged discomfort can worsen the situation. Sometimes, dehydration can also be extreme, and after drinking water is not enough. The physician will inject you with the required fluids to rehydrate your body.
The Wrap
Abdominal pain from dehydration can cause discomfort and obstruction in your normal daily activities. You can treat it by properly rehydrating the body. However, if the dehydration is severe, proper fluids are required to balance the electrolytes and proper absorption of water in the gut. Get help from our guide, but in severe conditions, do visit your doctor for a proper checkup.
