Mesothelioma and dehydration are frequently experienced together, since both mesothelioma itself and the treatments used to combat it often produce dehydration. Dehydration can be defined as not having enough water in the body, or not enough fluid where it is needed in the body. Since every cell in the human body contains water, dehydration is a serious threat to one’s health — particularly for an individual dealing with a life threatening disease such as mesothelioma.
Signs of Mesothelioma Dehydration
The symptoms of dehydration are the same whether a person has mesothelioma or not. If an individual is showing some or all of the following, he or she is probably dehydrated:
- thirst
- fever
- little or no urine
- dry mouth
- cracked, swollen, or dry tongue
- difficulty swallowing, speaking
- weakness
- dizziness
- skin that stays up when lightly pinched
- fatigue
- sunken eyeballs
When to Seek Medical Attention
If a patient with mesothelioma disease has dehydration at a level where any of the following symptoms are observed, he or she needs to see a doctor immediately:
- fainting or dizziness after standing up
- fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea lasting for more than 24 hours
- urine that is very dark in color or very sparse (or if there is no urine for 12 hours or more)
- confusion, disorientation
Mesothelioma Dehydration Treatments
A mesothelioma patient and caregivers should keep lots of fluids (water, juice, etc.) on hand at all times to prevent dehydration. Many foods also have a high fluid content; for example, soups, some fruits and vegetables, popsicles, jello and similar foods may be more palatable or attractive to a patient suffering from mesothelioma or its treatment. If both fluids and food are difficult for the patient to tolerate, ice chips may also help combat the chronic dehydration that comes with mesothelioma.
Resolving problems such as diarrhea, fever and vomiting will also help ease dehydration. If you or a loved one is suffering from chronic dehydration as a result of mesothelioma, it is important to seek professional help from a mesothelioma doctor with experience in treating patients with similar problems. It is especially important for elderly mesothelioma patients to seek medical help if they experience dehydration as it can have a harsher effect on those with more serious health conditions.
More information about mesothelioma and dehydration is available. Talk to your doctor today, or contact Mesothelioma Treatment Centers for more resources and information.
