It is that time of the year when symptoms of common cold and cough are often seen by everyone. On average, adults get 4 to 6 colds per year. Cold and cough may be allergic in nature or associated with bacterial and/or viral infections commonly called upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).
According to India’s National Health Portal, more than 4 crore cases of respiratory tract infection were reported in 2019. Apart from cough, the patient may have complaints like sore throat, fever, muscle pain, runny nose, nasal blockage and may experience fatigue but what is lost or ignored during these conditions are symptoms of dehydration.
what is dehydration,
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Abdul Majeed Khan, consultant physician and diabetes specialist at Olive Hospital, Hyderabad, shared, “Dehydration means loss of body fluids due to excessive loss or low intake or both. All types of fluids lost contain different amounts of electrolytes, so fluid loss is always accompanied by some degree of electrolyte loss. This is called silent dehydration, because one can miss it due to lack of awareness. Silent dehydration is a widespread concern that is also seen due to common cold and cough associated with upper respiratory tract infections. Electrolytes such as sodium and chloride help maintain body fluid balance while potassium, calcium and magnesium are involved in the proper functioning of nerves and muscles.
He explained, “In upper respiratory tract infections, fever leads to dehydration (fluid and electrolyte loss) due to excessive sweating and increased breathing. Additionally, as the body consumes energy to fight infection, increased energy requirements may lead to energy deficiency. Sore throat, which is a common early symptom, can impair fluid intake, leading to dehydration. This deficiency is further compounded by inadequate intake of food and fluids, leading to fluid electrolyte energy deficiency.”
Effect of fluid, electrolyte and energy loss in URTI
According to Dr. Abdul Majeed Khan, lack of fluids, electrolytes and energy in viral infections and URTIs can cause muscle pain, muscle cramps and muscle weakness. He elaborated, “In addition, dehydration can cause secretions to thicken which becomes difficult to clear from the lungs. Dehydration can also negatively impact respiratory symptoms such as cough, impair immunity, delay recovery and increase the likelihood of recurring infections. A Knowledge Attitudes and Practices study conducted with Indian physicians found that these deficiencies have a high impact on recovery in upper respiratory tract infections. “Patients may continue to experience fatigue and muscle pain, which will hinder their recovery.”
How can oral electrolyte drinks deal with dehydration during the common cold and cough?
In the same study, it was found that 87% of physicians agreed that fluids, electrolytes, and energy supplements given as adjuncts to patients with upper respiratory tract infections could help improve the speed of patients’ recovery. Can. Dr. Abdul Majeed Khan highlighted –
- An international association called the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (APSEN) recommends drinking 60–120 ml of clear fluids containing electrolytes and calories every 15 minutes to thin respiratory secretions during such illnesses. This indicates the importance of focusing on restoring fluids, electrolytes, and energy in upper respiratory tract infections.
- Consuming only water increases the chances of muscle cramps. Therefore, consuming electrolytes with water can help reduce muscle pain and cramps. During the transition, carbohydrate intake must be maintained to avoid muscle protein breakdown for energy.
- While fluids and electrolytes can be replenished by standard WHO ORS (World Health Organization Oral Rehydration Solutions), they are best suited primarily for diarrheal conditions.
- In conditions like fever and other non-diarrheal illnesses, energy-rich electrolyte drinks can play an important role in recovery. This has been confirmed by an Indian expert panel, whose recommendation suggests that the use of WHO ORS may not generally meet energy targets in non-diarrhea situations due to its low sugar content. Additionally, the strong salty taste of WHO ORS makes it unpalatable which may affect adherence.
- Adding energy (glucose) to fluid and electrolyte drinks helps meet energy needs as well as taste requirements. Some ready-to-serve electrolyte drinks may also contain additional electrolytes or ingredients such as magnesium that may support muscle function as well as additional micronutrients such as zinc, selenium and selenium to support immune function.
- While home preparations and coconut water options are readily available and accessible to address fluid electrolyte and energy depletion in upper respiratory tract infections, ready-to-serve electrolyte drinks may also be considered. Such formats contain known concentrations of fluids, electrolytes and energy with acceptably good taste and hygienic packaging that help replenish fluids, electrolytes and energy and can aid the patient in the recovery process. Is.
Dr. Abdul Majid Khan concluded, “Patients with common cold and cough associated with upper respiratory tract infection develop silent dehydration and lack of energy due to fever, sore throat, and infection. This can cause muscle pain and cramps which can hinder recovery. These fluid electrolyte and energy losses need to be restored with a proper diet so that the patient can recover faster. It would be advisable to consult your doctor if you have symptoms of dehydration like high fever, cough, persistent muscle pain or dry tongue, dark urine, etc.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
