Dry Spell: Navigating Dehydration in Fiction Writing

Ever wondered how dehydration could be the silent antagonist in your story? Dive with us into the depths of dehydration and discover how this often-overlooked condition can dramatically transform your characters and plot. From the initial thirst that gnaws at the edges of their sanity to the life-threatening consequences that raise the stakes, we’ll explore how to wield dehydration as a powerful tool in your storytelling arsenal. Tune in to learn about all of this and more in today’s episode. 

Transcript

Ever wondered how dehydration could be the silent antagonist in your story? Dive with us into the depths of dehydration and discover how this often-overlooked condition can dramatically transform your characters and plot. From the initial thirst that gnaws at the edges of their sanity to the life-threatening consequences that raise the stakes, we’ll explore how to wield dehydration as a powerful tool in your storytelling arsenal. Tune in to learn about all of this and more in today’s episode. 

Welcome to Writing Rural with Alley, the fiction writer’s weekly inspiration station for rural life and lifestyles, from historical to post-apocalyptic, helping you bring your rural stories to life! I’m Alley, and this is episode #102, Dry Spell: Navigating Dehydration in Fiction Writing. Stick around to the end to find out all the ways things could possibly go wrong in your story, and tune in next week for a special announcement. Now, let’s get into this.

Dehydration is when the body loses water faster than it takes water in. Since the body is about 60% water and water is needed for most body functions, it’s a big deal to be dehydrated. 

You might be asking, “Alley, who is susceptible to dehydration?” Alright, no one asked, but roll with it. The people most susceptible to dehydration are: 

* Young children, normally due to diarrhea, vomiting, or fever.

* Older adults, lower water reserves and reduced thirst signals, especially in dementia patients.

* People with chronic conditions or chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, or something similar.

* Athletes or those engaging in vigorous physical activity… Not touching that joke with a ten-foot pole. That said, many rural activities fall into this category. Check out the episodes I did on unexpected rural workouts to learn more.

* Individuals exposed to hot climates or high altitudes. I mean, we all know the desert is hot. 

* Anyone, but especially children, who are malnourished. 

Now that we know who is most likely, let’s talk about the most common ways people become dehydrated. These are: 

For adults: 

* Diarrhea and Vomiting: These can cause a significant loss of fluids, especially if your character has it coming out of both ends. Norovirus has this effect. 

* Fever: Higher body temperatures (aka. a fever) increase fluid loss. There is a reason they call it sweating out a fever. 

* Increased Urination: Conditions like diabetes can lead to frequent urination.

* Not Drinking Enough Water: Simply put, not consuming enough fluids can lead to dehydration.

* Excessive Sweating: We are back to sweating the fever out. Plus, this can happen during vigorous exercise or in hot, humid weather. Please keep in mind many everyday rural things are considered vigorous exercise. Some examples are chopping wood, baling hay, and digging wells. 

For children: 

* Severe Diarrhea and Vomiting: This is worse when it is coming out of both ends. 

* Illnesses: Fever, sore throat, and other illnesses can make kids hesitant to drink things because it hurts or is uncomfortable. 

* High Activity Levels: Children are often very active and may forget to drink enough water. Ok, who are we kidding? They refuse to drink as much water as they should, and it’s worse if the kiddo is like mine, and bouncing off the walls. You would think they lived off nothing but sugar. 

* Inadequate Fluid Intake: This can happen if they are not given enough fluids or (A far more likely case) if they refuse to drink the water. If your adult character didn’t make them get used to water as a young kid, they are likely to think it is too bland. Instead of saying bland, kids will say, “it doesn’t taste good.” 

Side note about ill little babies: I have had a baby under six months, who was very ill, become dehydrated, and it can be scary for the parent. The poor little baby looked pitiful and was almost listless. It is enough that anyone who looks at the baby will become instantly worried about them. I learned from experience, after I was told, “I was young, and new at this. It couldn’t be that bad.” Only to have them change their tune the second they saw the baby. Tiny babies doing the “wet noodle” is every parent’s worst nightmare!

Ok, now that we know what it is, and who is most likely to become dehydrated, let’s go over the signs and symptoms of dehydration. For adults, the general signs are: 

* Thirst

* Dry mouth or lips 

* Dark urine

* Fatigue

* Dizziness

* Headaches

* Confusion

* Low energy levels 

* Little or no sweat 

Many times people can misinterpret these as they overdid it. The work was harder than normal. They can wonder if they are getting sick, and some combinations of this are mistaken for migraines. 

In severe cases: 

* Rapid heartbeat

* Sunken eyes 

* Fainting

* Extra dry skin

I do know that many times when people have a rapid heart rate, they mistake this sign as having a heart attack. I have later seen those same people have a heart attack and think they just need to drink more water. That one can be a bit tricky. 

Extra Signs and Symptoms in Little Children:

* Irritability

* Drowsiness

* Fewer wet diapers

* Sunken soft spot on the skull

* Tearless crying

* Sudden weight loss 

Sudden weight loss in little kids without a reason is never a good thing. 

There are a few lesser thought about signs. (Mostly for adults) These are: 

* Bad breath: The mouth being dry, and the breath starting to smell is one of the first signs of dehydration, and is often overlooked. I admit, I would likely overlook it too. 

* Waking up tired: When dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to move thicker blood, and this will leave your character tired when they wake. 

* Urinating less often: If nothing is going in, less will be coming out. 

* Sweat smells worse: When a person is dehydrated, the little they sweat is a more concentrated version of sweat, and smells worse. 

* Dark circles under the eyes. 

(Who else feels a bit attacked after that list? Just me?) 

Now, there are technically three categories for dehydration; mild, moderate and severe. Mild is when the body loses 2% of its water. This is 3 to 5% of the body weight. (Let that sink in.) Moderate is a loss of 4% of the body’s water. This is 6 to 9% of the body’s weight. Severe is 6% or more of the body’s water. That equals 10% or more of the character’s total body weight! If a character loses 20% of their body’s water, they will slip into a coma and die. 

When determining if someone is dehydrated, there is a test called the elasticity test, that I learned about at the hospital to help tell if someone is suffering from dehydration. It works for adults and babies. Your character will take the skin on their arm, or the back of their hand (some people use the knuckle), and pitch it, or lift it with two fingers, then let go. If the skin instantly goes back to the way it was before, they are not dehydrated. If the skin is very slow going down, they could be dehydrated or very close to being. If it stays standing up, they are dehydrated, and need immediate medical help. 

Ok, so now that you know all the things that can happen when dehydrated, let’s talk about the best way not to become dehydrated. Do you know what it is? If you guessed soaking in the river while you float in a tube down the river, you are sadly wrong. Although, that might be fun. The best way to deal with dehydration is to prevent it. 

In hot climates or hot work conditions, drinking lots of fluids and taking breaks to regularly hydrate is important. Pre-hydrating, such as drinking extra water before a long run in the heat, or before hard work like hauling rocks in buckets at a rock quarry, is a great way to prevent dehydration. Scheduling breaks (or in most cases deciding to stop for a drink every hour or so) can also help to remember to rehydrate often. 

For young kids, and elderly with dementia, this can be a bit more tricky. For kids, it’s mostly about reminding and if they resist, finding a way to make it fun or exciting. The other option is to let them think they are getting away with something. Maybe your character convinces them that they can get away with drinking half a glass when that was all they really wanted them to drink. I’m not saying it is amazing parenting advice. I am saying it works. 

As for characters with dementia, this can be done a few ways. If they are still in the early stages, telling them that they need to drink something will make them feel like they are treated as a child. It’s easier to bring them a drink with a smile. Most people take a drink when it is first handed to them. They might have to do it repeatedly, but that’s ok, because it is better than a fight. Asking them if they want a refill is another way that could work. 

Later stage is less about fighting, and more about asking the right question. “Did you see the pretty cup? Is it nice to drink out of?” or “Did you try some of my apple juice? Do you like it?” These will help them remember the drink is there. Smiling and having a happy tone are big too, as their sight and hearing can be impaired, but they can usually pick up on tone and body language. 

Now, we have talked about how to prevent water loss. Let’s cover how much water your character needs. The daily intake is as follows: 

* Age 1-3 years: 4 cups, or 32 ounces

* Age 4-8 years: 5 cups, or 40 ounces

* Age 9-13 years: 7-8 cups, or 56-64 ounces

* Age 14-18 years: 8-11 cups, or 64-88 ounces

* Men, 19 and older: 13 cups, or 104 ounces

* Women, 19 and older: 9 cups, or 72 ounces

* Pregnant women: 10 cups, or 80 ounces

* Breastfeeding women: 13 cups, or 104 ounces

One very important note you need to know is that water is deadly to newborns. Babies should have only breastmilk or formula to drink until they are at least six months old. Now, I know in history, and many places around the world today, cow’s milk is given, or even better, goat’s milk. I legally have to tell you that it is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and they say not to do this. However, that stopped no one in history, and likely would not after the apocalypse. If your character’s choices are to let the baby drink goat milk or let the baby starve, only evil characters would let the baby starve. On top of that, we are talking about characters in fiction stories. 

Now, to top all this off, there is something called water toxicity. (a.k.a. hyponatremia). This is when a person drinks so much water in a short period of time that they dilute the sodium levels in their blood. This can be fatal, if not treated right away, and in historical settings will most likely be fatal. The guideline for how much can lead to this is 1 liter (about 34 ounces) of water per hour. This could easily be drunk in one setting by someone trying to pre-hydrate, or rehydrate. 

The signs and symptoms are:

* Nausea and vomiting

* Headache

* Confusion and disorientation

* Muscle weakness and cramps

* Seizures

* Coma or death in severe cases

Let’s talk about some ways to treat dehydration in characters that hopefully will not lead to death. In modern times, mild dehydration will likely be solved by drinking electrolyte drinks. I won’t name them for copyright and trademark reasons, but if you do a web search, you’ll quickly see the most popular ones. 

If your character is severely dehydrated, they will be given IV fluids at the hospital. This is something I dealt with, with one of my in-laws. What sticks out to me was that he asked to go to the ER because he felt so bad and was afraid he might be having a heart attack. While that doesn’t sound like a big deal, this man has been a farmer all his life, and had an extreme distrust of doctors. Now if you don’t know, as a group, farmers rarely call for medical help, and when they do, they usually lost a limb. I’m not even joking. I hope that gives you an idea of how badly it can make your characters feel. 

Non IV ways to rehydrate that were done in history, and will likely be done after the Apocalypse is ORS. ORS stands for Oral Rehydration Solution. These typically consist of a precise mixture of water, salt, and sugar to replenish fluids and restore the body’s electrolyte balance. This combination helps the body absorb fluids more efficiently. I have searched all kinds of doctor resources and international suggestions on how-to do this in villages where IVs are not an option. I will give you a list of recipes. All the recipes instructions are the same. They say to sip every 5 minutes day and night until the patient is urinating normally again. 

Recipes for Homemade ORS: 

1) Mix 1 liter (about 4.25 cups) of clean water with 6 teaspoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

2) 8 oz. orange, apple, or fruit juice rich in potassium, 1/2 teaspoon honey or corn syrup, 1 pinch of salt. (A pinch is roughly 1/16 teaspoon) 

3) 8 oz. water (carbonated or boiled), and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate). If you listened to my wood ash episodes, you will know historically, and even today wood ash has been a substitute for baking soda. If you want the science behind that, check out my episodes on alternative wood ash uses. 

4) In 1 liter of water (2 for children), use 6 levels of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of salt substitute (Potassium chloride), and a pinch (1/16th teaspoon) of baking soda. Something to make it taste better can be added if needed. Now, the ‘levels’ shown in the pictures are just a normal spoon you eat with. 

5) Another shared for children and adults is one liter of clean water, half a level of salt (Again the picture is a spoon), and 8 levels of sugar. Make sure that the character tastes the drink before adding sugar. It should be less salty than tears. This is mixed with fruit juice, coconut water, or a mashed ripe banana to add potassium to it. This can be adapted to local forms and measurement. Sip every 5 minutes day and night until urinating normally again. 

6) Next is for children, but could be used for adults if needed. One liter of clean water, half a teaspoon of salt, and 8 heaping teaspoons or 2 handfuls of powdered cereal. Boil for 5 to 7 minutes until it is a liquid gruel, and cool quickly to start giving the child. It is important to keep an eye on it for spoiling. In hot climates, it can spoil in a few hours. This can be adapted to local measurements. 

7) Last is the gross one, sorry guys, it’s rectal rehydration. This is one that should only be done in extreme circumstances. Simply put, they take a bag of saline, like at the hospitals, and use tubing to go 15 inches, up the poor character’s bottom, and let the fluids drip in at 250 cc per hour, or more. It says use a clamp to control this, but I must say I don’t know how, and assume someone with training is needed. One super important note about this is that it used to be used as a torture technique. So use this as a last resort, or torture, if that’s your story. 

There are several other ways dehydration was treated throughout history. These include, but are not limited to:

* Coconut water (used in tropical regions. I dislike this idea as coconut water is known to cause diarrhea.)

* Herbal teas and broths (Could work well for mild cases)

* Saltwater solutions (an early version to ORS)

* Bloodletting (doesn’t work and holds the potential to kill your character)

* Alcohol-based remedies (Alcohol is dehydrating and counterproductive at the least, and likely to make it worse.) 

* Milk or dairy-based drinks (sometimes helpful)

* Emetics to induce vomiting (Are counterproductive, and could be dangerous)

* Sugar and salt mixtures (early ORS development)

* Leech therapy (Not helpful, and on a personal note… EW! Get it off, get it off!)

Fun fact: It is estimated that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated from not drinking enough water each day. This can lead to conditions such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, kidney damage, constipation, and makes them extremely susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. I have a full episode about heat-related illnesses if you would like to check that out. 

One quick reminder before we get to all the ways things could go wrong in your story. To help others find this content, pop on over to Apple podcasts and leave me a review. Or if you are watching on YouTube, drop me a comment and say hello, or ask a question. This is the best way to help others find my content. 

Now, for everyone’s favorite part, what could possibly go wrong in your story? 

Likely to go wrong: Your character feels extra thirsty and drinks a lot of water to help stay hydrated. They spend the next few hours going to the bathroom repeatedly. 

Likely to go wrong: Your character has not been drinking as much water as they should and feels exhausted even after sleeping.

Possible to go wrong: Your character stays up all night with a sick little one, to make sure they get a sip of oral rehydration every five minutes durring the night. The next day they try to stay awake to keep the fluids going, but all alone, it is hard to do what needs done, without sleep. 

Possible to go wrong: Your character thinks drinking alcohol will help rehydrate them. However, they only make things worse. 

Unlikely to go wrong: Your character spends the day in the village, only for them to be repeatedly told their breath stinks. They have no idea why. 

Unlikely to go wrong: Your character is on a deserted tropical island. There is no fresh water, but there are many coconuts. They drink the coconut water, not realizing that in large amounts, it causes diarrhea. 

Improbable but still technically in the realm of possibilities: A young bride feels unwell on her wedding day. Everyone chalks it up to nerves until she faints, and they can’t quickly wake her. 

Improbable but still technically in the realm of possibilities: In an effort to keep hydrated on a hot day while working, your character drinks a lot of water. Too much water. They are struck with water toxicity. If they do not get immediate medical help, this will be fatal. 

Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy wordsmithing.