Causes Of Dehydration
Some medical conditions can cause extreme water loss:
Gastroenteritis: The patient may become dehydrated if the gastrointestinal tract becomes infected or inflamed due to a stomach or intestinal flu caused by a virus or bacterium. Gastroenteritis usually does not last for more than 36 hours.
Cholera: The consumption of water or food contaminated by human faeces infected with the cholera bacterium will cause vomiting and acute diarrhea that can lead to dehydration, hypovolemic shock and, in some cases, death .
Excessive use of diuretics: Diuretics stimulate the increase in body flow and volume of urine and loss of salt and potassium in the urine. Although problems are uncommon when the use of diuretics is monitored properly, overuse combined with a diet low in salt can cause dehydration.
Bulimia: Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by irresistible impulses to ingest large quantities of food. In most cases, this condition also involves purging through means such as induced vomiting or the use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics or excessive exercise. All forms of purging can lead to dehydration.
Addison’s Disease: The adrenal glands produce steroid hormones that play a role in maintaining the balance of body fluids. Although this is rare, adrenal insufficiency may occur and cause dehydration.