kuivaduse

Kuivaduse is the Estonian term for the state of being dry. It refers to a deficiency of moisture in a substance, material, or environment, and can also denote dehydration in living organisms. The word derives from kuiv 'dry' with the suffix -adus, forming a noun that means "the condition of dryness." Common contexts include meteorology, where it denotes low atmospheric moisture and aridity, including drought; soil science, where desiccation occurs when soil moisture falls below plant-available levels; and materials and food processing, where desiccation refers to the removal of water by drying methods such as air drying, thermal drying, or freeze-drying, often aided by desiccants. In health and medicine, dehydration describes insufficient body water, with symptoms from thirst and dry mouth to dizziness and impaired function; treatment involves fluids and electrolyte balance. In dermatology, kuivadus describes dry skin (xerosis), linked to environmental conditions or skin barrier dysfunction, and managed with emollients and humectants. Measurement and monitoring vary by field: relative humidity is used for air, gravimetric moisture content for materials, soil moisture sensors for soils, and clinical skin moisture measurements for skin. Prevention and management emphasize maintaining adequate moisture levels through hydration, humidity control, and proper skin care.