Expert Warns of Dehydration Risks and Prevention Tips During the Dry Season
The longer and drier dry season currently underway demands heightened vigilance from the public. Rising air temperatures trigger a massive loss of bodily fluids through sweat which, if ignored, can lead to serious dehydration risks.
Dr. Raissa E. Djuanda, a clinical nutrition specialist at MMC Hospital, stressed that fluids play a crucial role in sustaining human physiological functions.
“Why must dehydration not be ignored? Because fluids play an important role in health — maintaining body temperature, blood circulation, kidney function, and electrolyte balance,” said Dr. Raissa, quoted by Antara on Tuesday (15/9).
An insufficient supply of fluids in the body can trigger a range of acute clinical complaints, from rapid fatigue and reduced concentration to headaches, lowered blood pressure, impaired kidney function, and even loss of consciousness.
Recognising the Symptoms of Mild to Severe Dehydration
The public is urged to recognise the early signs of fluid deficiency so treatment can be administered as early as possible. Symptoms of mild dehydration include thirst, dark-coloured urine, dry mouth and lips, and reduced urine output.
Meanwhile, more severe dehydration is marked by clinically dangerous symptoms such as dizziness when standing (orthostatic), a rapid heartbeat, extreme weakness, mental confusion, and loss of consciousness.
To keep the body optimally hydrated amid the scorching dry-season weather, Dr. Raissa shared several preventive measures that can be applied daily: drink 2–3 litres of water per day, take a sip every 20 minutes during activities, avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, wear light and loose clothing, and increase fluid intake when active outdoors.
This vigilance has become increasingly crucial following an early warning issued by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which has urged the public to remain on alert for a longer and drier dry season, given that the El Nino phenomenon is not expected to subside until early 2027.