Dehydration is a symptom that occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, resulting in the body not having enough water to function normally.
Dehydration can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Mild dehydration might not always cause side effects or symptoms.
16 Symptoms and Signs of Dehydration
Side effects and symptoms of dehydration include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Tiredness
- Decreased urination
- Dark yellow-, amber-, or brown-colored urine
- Decreased skin elasticity
- Dry mouth and mucous membranes (lips, gums, nostrils)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Thirst
- Confusion
- Lack of tears when crying
- Eyes that look sunken in the face
- “Sunken fontanel” in babies
- Abnormal breathing (severe cases)
- Coma (severe cases)
What Causes Dehydration?
Dehydration can be a serious life-threatening emergency, and it has many different causes.
Causes of dehydration include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Excessive sweating
- Problems or medicines that cause a person to urinate more than usual
- Not taking in enough water (may occur especially in children such as when they have an upset stomach or sore throat)
How Is Dehydration Diagnosed?
- Dehydration is diagnosed with a patient history and physical examination along with blood and urine tests to check for dehydration and see how severe it is.
- Other tests may be needed to determine the cause of the dehydration.
What Is the Treatment for Dehydration?
The treatment for dehydration is fluids.
Mild dehydration can be treated at home by drinking fluids such as:
- Water (the best fluid choice)
- Oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte
- Sports drinks
- Decaffeinated tea
- Juices
- Milk
- Breast milk for babies
- Soups
- Jell-O and ice cream become liquid after eating, so they can count as well
Severe dehydration may need to be treated in a hospital where intravenous (IV) fluids may be given.
What Are Complications of Dehydration?
When dehydration is severe, it can cause other serious complications and even be life-threatening.
Complications of severe dehydration can include:
- Seizures
- Swelling of the brain
- Kidney failure
- Shock
- Coma
- Death
How Do You Prevent Dehydration?
About 80% of people's total water comes from drinking water and the other 20% comes from food. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends an adequate daily water intake from all beverages and foods of:
- 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water for women
- 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of total water for men
These amounts are just adequate intake levels, and people who are very physically active or who live in hot climates may need to consume more water.
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https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/emotional-physical-effects/dehydration.html
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/dehydration-in-children-the-basics?search=dehydration&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2004/02/report-sets-dietary-intake-levels-for-water-salt-and-potassium-to-maintain-health-and-reduce-chronic-disease-risk