Dehydration in Summer: Are We Missing the Early Red Flags Beyond ORS?

Summer dehydration is often dismissed as a mild, self-limiting condition managed with oral rehydration salts (ORS). However, rising ambient temperatures significantly increase insensible water loss, precipitating not just volume depletion but electrolyte imbalance and renal compromise particularly in vulnerable populations. Early recognition is critical. In adults, red flags include postural hypotension, tachycardia, altered mentation, reduced urine output (<0.5 mL/kg/hr), and worsening glycaemic control in diabetics.

In children, subtle signs such as irritability, sunken eyes, absent tears, delayed capillary refill, and decreased feeding may precede overt hypotension. Electrolyte disturbances are frequently under-recognized. Hyponatremia may result from excessive free-water intake without adequate sodium replacement, especially in elderly patients on thiazides or SSRIs. Hypernatremia…