Causes and Prevention of Dehydration.

Dehydration is the absence of enough water in your body. The best way to beat it is to drink before you get thirsty. If you’re thirsty, you’re already mildly dehydrated, and that can cause signs of dehydration like headache, fatigue, dizziness and more. Dehydration can contribute to life-threatening illnesses like heatstroke. It’s a warm summer day, and you’re feeling parched. Make sure you reach for a tall glass of water. You’re already beginning to feel the signs of dehydration.

Dehydration is a condition in which you lose so much body fluid that your body can’t function normally. It occurs when you lose more fluids than you take in. Dehydration may happen on a particularly hot day if you sweat a lot, or if you’re sick with fever, diarrhea or vomiting. It can also occur if don’t drink enough water, or if you’re taking a medication that increases your pee (urine) output.

When you aren’t properly hydrated, your body’s natural response is thirst. You should respond to thirst right away by drinking fluids — preferably water. You can usually treat mild dehydration by drinking more fluids. But dehydration isn’t always easy to spot. It can be found in the aging parent who forgets to drink water or the fussy baby who can’t tell you they’re thirsty. Make sure to keep your loved ones hydrated. If you or a loved one has a moderate to severe case of dehydration, you may need to go to the hospital to get IV fluids. Left untreated, severe dehydration can be fatal.

What does water do for your body? Up to 78% of your body is made of water. Your brain is made up of 73% water, and so is your heart. Your bones are 31% water, your muscles and kidneys are 79%, and your skin is 64%. A whopping 83% of water makes up your lungs.

Water helps: Aid digestion and get rid of waste. Your joints work. Water lubricates them. Make saliva (which you need to eat). Balance your body’s chemicals. Your brain needs it to create hormones and neurotransmitters. Deliver oxygen all over your body. Cushion your bones. Regulate your body temperature. Act as a shock absorber for your brain, your spinal cord and, if you’re pregnant, the fetus.

Water is important to your body, especially in warm weather. It keeps your body from overheating. When you exercise, your muscles generate heat. To keep from burning up, your body needs to get rid of that heat. The main way your body discards heat in warm weather is through sweat. As sweat evaporates, it cools the tissues beneath. Lots of sweating reduces your body’s water level, and this loss of fluid affects normal bodily functions.

What are the symptoms of dehydration? If you suspect that you or your child is severely dehydrated, seek immediate medical attention. Signs of dehydration in kids include: Dry tongue and dry lips. No tears when crying. Fewer than six wet diapers per day (for infants), and no wet diapers or urination for eight hours (in toddlers). Sunken soft spot on your infant’s head. Sunken eyes. Dry, wrinkled skin. Deep, rapid breathing. Cool, blotchy hands and feet.

Dehydration symptoms in adults may include: Headache, delirium and confusion. Tiredness (fatigue). Dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness. Dry mouth and/or a dry cough. High heart rate but low blood pressure. Loss of appetite but maybe craving sugar.

Flushed (red) skin. Swollen feet. Muscle cramps. Heat intolerance or chills. Constipation. Dark-colored pee (urine). Your pee should be a pale, clear color.

Can dehydration cause fever? No, dehydration doesn’t typically lead to fever. But many diseases and disorders that cause fever can also cause dehydration. Does dehydration cause high blood pressure? Dehydration can actually make your blood pressure drop to dangerously low levels. When this happens, your body goes to work to try to correct it. But in doing so, your body can overcorrect and make your blood pressure skyrocket. Can dehydration cause diarrhea?

No, but diarrhea can cause dehydration. Severe diarrhea causes a loss of fluids in your body. Can dehydration cause nausea? Yes, dehydration can lead to disorientation and dehydration headaches. One of the symptoms of these headaches is nausea and vomiting.

What causes dehydration? Dehydration happens when you don’t drink enough water, or when you lose water quickly through, for example, sweating, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Certain medications like diuretics (water pills) can result in increased urination and dehydration.

What are the risk factors for dehydration? Anyone can become dehydrated if they don’t drink enough water. But infants and children are at a higher risk because they may be unable to communicate that they’re thirsty. This is especially important when they’re sick. So, make sure to monitor the amount of fluids your child takes in.

Adults ages 65 and older are also at a higher risk. They don’t carry as much water in their bodies and they can’t tell as easily when they’re thirsty. If you’re a caregiver, especially for someone with memory problems, offer them drinks frequently. Even if they’re enduring an uncomfortable infection like a UTI (urinary tract infection), they still need to consume liquids.

What are the complications of dehydration? If you or your child has symptoms of severe dehydration, get medical care right away. Severe dehydration can lead to serious complications, including: Electrolyte imbalances. Heat-related illnesses like heatstroke. Kidney issues including kidney stones and kidney failure. Shock, coma and even death.

Diagnosis and Tests: How is dehydration diagnosed? If you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. That’s the easiest way to tell that you need more fluids. If you see your healthcare provider for possible dehydration, they may diagnose the condition based on your symptoms and a physical exam. Laboratory tests can also diagnose dehydration. These tests may include: Blood tests to check your electrolyte levels and kidney function. Urine tests to check for possible causes of dehydration.

What are the levels of dehydration? Healthcare providers categorize dehydration as: Mild: You just have to take in more fluids orally (by mouth). Drink water, but replace fluids with a drink that contains electrolytes if you experience significant sweating or fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea. You should feel better after five or 10 minutes. Moderate: Moderate dehydration requires an IV (hydration through your vein). You’ll get this in an urgent care, emergency room or hospital. Severe: See a healthcare provider if your symptoms of dehydration are severe. Call 911, your local emergency services number or go to an emergency room. If you’re seeing a healthcare provider, they’ll figure out what level you’re at to assign you treatment.

Prevention: Can dehydration be prevented? Yes, you can prevent dehydration by keeping track of how much fluid you drink. Drink water throughout the day, including at meals. Avoid soda, alcohol and caffeinated drinks. One way to make sure you’re properly hydrated is to check your pee. If it’s clear, pale or straw-colored, it’s OK. If it’s darker than that, keep drinking. To avoid dehydration, active people — people playing a sport or exercising — should drink at least 16 to 20 ounces (oz.) of fluids one to two hours before an outdoor activity. After that, you should consume six to 12 ounces of fluid every 10 to 15 minutes when you’re outside. When you’re finished with the activity, you should drink more. To replace what you’ve lost, drink at least another 16 to 24 ounces.

Culled from Cleveland Clinic.