Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst and dry mouth or skin. However, headache, increased heart rate, and confusion can also be signs of dehydration. Water is vital to human survival. At its worst, dehydration can be fatal if not addressed and treated promptly.

Since water is lost through various bodily processes like sweating or urinating, dehydration is more likely to occur with increased physical activity, in warmer temperatures, or when someone is sick (e.g., vomiting).

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of dehydration, as well as how to treat and prevent it.

What Are the Warning Signs of Dehydration?

Dehydration is often mild and usually does not cause any symptoms. As it progresses, more symptoms and warning signs may occur, such as:

• Feeling thirsty
• Dry mouth and nose
• Cracked lips
• Fatigue and muscle weakness or pain
• Wrinkled skin
• Headache
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Weakness or unusual fatigue
• Urinating less or having dark urine (may have a strong odor)
• Increased heart rate and breathing
• Confusion

Untreated and in extreme cases, dehydration can lead to serious effects including kidney failure, seizures, heat exhaustion, stroke, and death.

Children (because their bodies are smaller and they may not be able to communicate they need something to drink) and the elderly are more prone to dehydration than others.

Some notable symptoms of dehydration in infants and children may include:

• No tears when crying
• No wet diapers for four hours or more
• Sunken abdomen, eyes, cheeks, or fontanel (the gap between the bones of an infant's skull)
• High fever
• Listlessness or irritability

One particular symptom of dehydration that may be pronounced in the elderly is poor skin elasticity. When the skin is pinched, it holds its form rather than returning to its normal shape.

What Causes Dehydration?

If more water leaves the body than enters it, dehydration may occur. This might, for example, occur with vigorous exercising or when someone has vomiting or diarrhea.

Excessive urination can also lead to dehydration very quickly. Some of the most common triggers of excessive urination are taking diuretic medications ("water pills"), drinking alcohol, and having certain health conditions, such as high blood sugar (hyperglycemia, a condition seen in untreated diabetes).

Dehydration is also more likely to occur in warmer climates, at higher altitudes, and when someone has a fever.

Diagnosing Dehydration

There is no single test to diagnose dehydration, but healthcare providers will perform a physical examination and look for signs, such as dry mouth and skin.

Other tools can be helpful, such as measuring vital signs (e.g., blood pressure and heart rate) and examining various urine and blood tests.

What Is the Fastest Way to Cure Dehydration?

Most cases of dehydration can be treated by simply drinking fluids. Sometimes though, with more severe dehydration, fluids will need to be given intravenously (through the vein).

In addition to water, oral rehydration solutions (e.g., Pedialyte) are good options for mild to moderate dehydration because they provide electrolytes and carbohydrates, which help your body absorb water better.

To avoid nausea and to get the best results, all fluids should be sipped slowly. Drinking too quickly could lead to discomfort or vomiting. In addition, be sure to stay in a cool environment and rest to allow your body to rehydrate without sweating.

With children, be sure to call their healthcare provider if they are experiencing vomiting that lasts for more than one day or diarrhea that lasts more than a few days.

Other reasons to call their healthcare provider include:

• Your child cannot keep any fluids down or has not been drinking for many hours.
• Your older child has not urinated in the last six to eight hours, or your baby or toddler hasn't had a wet diaper in four to six hours.
• There is blood in your child's vomit or stool.

How to Prevent Dehydration

It is difficult to make precise recommendations as to exactly how much daily water intake any one particular individual needs to avoid dehydration. There are so many factors at play, such as activity level and climate.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM), while not making a recommendation specifically about water intake, recommends that adult men drink approximately 125 ounces (more than 15 cups) of fluids a day; adult women, approximately 90 ounces (over 11 cups). While this may seem like a lot, keep in mind, this is total water intake, so it includes fluid from foods as well as beverages.

Of course, if you are engaging in physical activity or have a health condition that requires fluid control, your ideal amount will be different.

Besides drinking fluids, here are some additional tips for preventing dehydration:

• Seek out shade and avoid prolonged periods in the sun.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine when possible, but especially when exercising or flying.
• Be sure to drink fluids several hours before exercise.
• Consume more fruits and vegetables, like cantaloupe and watermelon, to increase your water intake. Of course, this should not be a supplement for drinking water.

Summary

Dehydration is a serious yet preventable condition. Keep yourself and your children well-hydrated, and remain extra diligent if you (or they) are playing sports, are in the heat, or are sick. If symptoms are severe, go to the emergency room promptly.