Dehydration

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KEY POINTS

• Dehydration is a loss of too much fluid from your body. The human body needs the water to work well. If your body loses much more fluid than you are getting from food and drinks, you get dehydrated.
• Early or mild dehydration can usually be treated at home. Severe dehydration requires immediate medical care. It is treated in the hospital with IV fluids. You will also be treated for whatever is causing the dehydration, such as diarrhea or vomiting.
• Drink enough liquid to replace the fluids and minerals you have lost. Try to drink extra fluids if you know your body is losing a lot of fluid.

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What is dehydration?

Dehydration is a loss of too much fluid from your body. The human body is about two-thirds water and needs the water to work well. If your body loses much more fluid than you are getting from food and drinks, you get dehydrated. In severe cases, you can get very sick and die.

You normally lose fluids through sweating, urination and breathing.

Along with the fluids, the body loses electrolytes, which are minerals such as sodium and potassium. The body needs these minerals to keep working normally.

What is the cause?

The most common causes of dehydration are:

• Urinating more than normal because of infection
• Vomiting or having diarrhea
• Sweating more than usual
• Breathing faster than usual
• Fever
• Having a disease, such as diabetes
• Being unable to eat or drink or not having access to drinking water
• Skin injuries, such as burns or skin disease
• Taking certain medicines, such as diuretics (medicines that help the body get rid of extra fluid)

Although anyone can become dehydrated, people most at risk are:

• Babies less than 1 year old
• Older adults
• Anyone who has a fever
• People in hot weather
• People doing strenuous work or activity, especially in the heat
• People with diabetes if they are urinating a lot because their blood sugar is too high

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of early or mild dehydration include:

• Thirst
• Flushed face
• Dry, warm skin
• A lack of energy, weak or dizzy
• Dark yellow urine

As dehydration gets worse, symptoms include:

• Dry mouth and tongue with thick saliva
• Dry skin that has lost its elasticity (stretchiness)
• Sunken eyes with few or no tears
• Small amounts of dark yellow urine or no urine
• Cramping or severe muscle spasms in the arms, legs, stomach, and back
• Headache, lightheadedness, and fainting
• Weakness and confusion
• Seizures
• Fast and deep breathing

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You may have blood and urine tests.

How is it treated?

Early or mild dehydration can usually be treated at home.

Severe dehydration requires immediate medical care. It is treated in the hospital with IV fluids. You will also be treated for whatever is causing the dehydration, such as diarrhea or vomiting.

How can I take care of myself?

Drink enough liquid to replace the fluids and minerals you have lost. Try to drink extra fluids if you know your body is losing a lot of fluid. One way to tell if you are drinking enough liquid is to look at the color of your urine. It should be clear to very light yellow.

• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
• Use an air conditioner or fan in hot weather.
• Drink water before, during, and after you exercise, especially in hot weather.
• If you have been vomiting and can't keep liquids down, suck on ice chips or flavored ice until you stop throwing up. Drink more liquids as your vomiting lessens.
• If you have diarrhea, try to keep drinking liquids. It will not make diarrhea worse.

You can replace fluids and electrolytes with an oral rehydration solutions (ORS). An ORS is a mixture of fluids, minerals, sugar, and salts that replaces fluid lost by vomiting or diarrhea. You can buy an ORS at drug and grocery stores. Follow package directions for mixing powders or giving frozen products. Drink small amounts over several hours if you have vomiting or diarrhea.

If you don’t have an ORS, you can drink clear broth or water mixed with fruit juice. These are easy for your body to absorb. Avoid concentrated fruit juices, sodas, milk, and milk products. They are not as easily absorbed and usually have too much sugar.