The El Nino phenomenon causes extreme temperature increases. This increase can have an impact on body health, including the body easily becoming dehydrated. Dehydration is a condition where the body loses more fluid than the fluid consumed so that the body cannot carry out its functions normally.¹ Dehydration can be caused by various factors, such as excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting and fever.² A body that experiences a lack of fluids (dehydration) can cause various disorders in the body, one of which can cause blackouts or fainting. Blackout in the medical world is a condition of loss of consciousness accompanied by memory loss, either completely or partially.³

 

Symptoms of Dehydration

The following are several symptoms of the body experiencing dehydration, including:¹

1. Feeling very extreme/severe thirst.

2. Infrequent urination.

3. Urine is dark yellow.

4. Feeling tired and dizzy.

5. In babies or small children, the mouth and tongue are dry and there are no tears when crying.

 

Appropriate Actions during Blackout/Fainting

Several actions that can be taken during blackout/fainting are as follows:⁴

1. Move the patient to a shady and safe place in a comfortable position.

2. Provide an airway for the patient, such as unbuttoning the shirt in the neck area and removing accessories worn in the neck area to prevent the patient from suffocating.

3. Check the patient's pulse and if the pulse is weak, immediately take the patient to the nearest emergency room.

4. Position the patient's body so that it lies flat to improve blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

5. Give mineral water when the patient is conscious to increase sugar levels and replace fluids lost due to dehydration.

6. Do not give fragrance (usually eucalyptus oil) so as not to interfere with the patient's respiratory circulation to regain consciousness.

 

Tips to Avoid Dehydration

Here are some tips to avoid dehydration:¹

1. Drink lots of fluids, at least 1.5 to 2 liters per day

2. Consume foods that contain high water, such as vegetables and fruit.

3. If the weather is hot or you are doing strenuous exercise, drink more water to replace body fluids lost through sweat.

4. If you are experiencing vomiting, diarrhea and are sick, make sure to drink more fluids to avoid dehydration.

 

References:

• 1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Dehydration. Last reviewed on October 14, 2021. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
• 2. Sabrina Felson. What is Dehydration? What Causes It?. Last reviewed on May 28, 2023. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dehydration-adults
• 3. Veronica Zambon. What causes blackouts?. Last reviewed on September 28, 2020. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-causes-blackouts
• 4. Tamara Anastasia. Langkah Pertolongan Pertama pada Orang Pingsan saat Olahraga. Last reviewed on August17, 2021. Available at: https://www.klikdokter.com/info-sehat/kesehatan-umum/langkah-pertolongan-pertama-pada-orang-pingsan-saat-olahraga