Event Date : 13 Apr 2008
Province : Western Province
Venue : Bellville Stadium (Adjacent to Velodrome)
Online entry Start Date : 26 Feb 2008
Online entry End Date : 30 Mar 2008
Contact : Western Province Athletics
Contact Number : 079 781 4723 or 079 781 4724




Get your FREE Vivatap sample in the Spar womens day 10km race.

The SPAR Women's 10 km Challenge Series started with a single race in Durban twelve years ago and now enjoys national participation.

Click here to read more!

Protect your child against dehydration

Dehydration can occur because of poor fluid intake or excessive loss of fluids through vomiting, diarrhea, sweating and urination. Young children are at greater risk of dehydration than adults their bodies have a higher percentage of water, their metabolic rates are higher and they are at greater risk of infections that cause vomiting and diarrhea. They are also dependent on others to feed them and give them fluid.

essential bodily processes such as circulation of blood, excretion by the kidneys and sweating, need to be maintained and this is not possible if there is a drastic loss of fluid. Children can become dehydrated very quickly. During early stages of dehydration, a child my complain of extreme thirst and young children my become very irritable.

Suspect dehydration if you notice any of the following:

Chapped lips,
Dry mouth
Dry eyes

What are the signs?

Signs of advance dehydration in infants include a weak pulse, shallow breathing and a blue tinge to the skin, which also feels cold to the touch. With severe dehydration there is increasing weakness and lethargy and the urge to drink my be last.

A valuable method of assessing dehydration in children is by gently pinching up the skin on the side of the abdomen. On releasing, it should immediately return to normal. When dehydration is present the skin fold takes much longer to return.

When to call a doctor?

Dehydration can lead to serious medical complications, including damage to the internal organs such as the liver, kidneys and brain. Consult a doctor immediately if a child's skin feels cold to the touch, he/she appears dizzy or disorientated, has chapped lips or dry mouth. If the child is unconscious or unable to drink, fluids can be administered via a tube inserted into the stomach.

If vomiting is constant and the situation more serious, intravenous rehydration may be necessary. Electrolytes ( sodium and potassium) are also lost when a person becomes dehydrated and acid-base balance is disturbed.