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letter
. 1987 Oct;79(10):1033–1038.

Dehydration in the Elderly: A Short Review

Risa J Lavizzo-Mourey
PMCID: PMC2625510  PMID: 3316670

Abstract

Dehydration is the most common fluid and electrolyte problem among the elderly. The usual causes of water loss are frequently absent in dehydrated elderly patients. Age-related changes in total body water, thirst perception, renal concentrating ability, and vasopressin effectiveness probably predispose to dehydration. Dehydration related to infection, high-protein tube feedings, cerebral vascular accidents, and medication-related hypodypsia are particularly relevant for elderly patients. Appropriate treatment depends on accurately assessing the water deficit and slowly correcting that deficit.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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