Parents have been advised to keep personal hygiene and that of their children to avoid dehydration in children on Plan B FM’s family, relationship, and lifestyle show dubbed NYANSAPO FIE, hosted by Nana Asabea Asare on the topic DEHYDRATION with Madam Bernice Asante a Senior Staff Nurse from Tema Polyclinic.
She said the most common cause of dehydration in young children is severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Older adults naturally have a lower volume of water in their bodies, and may have conditions or take medications that increase the risk of dehydration.
Parents are urged not to give their babies under six months water because of dehydration in the babies but to continue to breastfeed them or send them to any nearby health facility for treatment also breastfeeding mothers are advised to keep their braziers clean and neat and change them regularly because drops of breastmilk in an unchanged brazier could cause bacterial infections that could lead to vomiting and diarrhea that could cause dehydration in children.
She emphasized that children peeing less often than usual. feeling dizzy or lightheaded. feeling tired. a dry mouth, lips, and tongue, and have no tears when crying.
Madam Asante explained that giving small amounts of liquid often to children under 1 year of age by using a spoon or syringe to give 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of an ORS, breastmilk, or formula every 5 to 10 minutes. For older than 1 year of age: give ½ to 1 ounce (1 to 2 tablespoons or 15 to 30 mL) every 20 minutes for a few hours.
She then urged nursing and breastfeeding mothers to take their babies to the hospital if the symptoms persist.
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