Reasons and Symptoms of Dehydration

According to the Mayo Clinic, dehydration sets in when you lose more fluids than you are taking in. Dehydration can occur gradually, and most times you may not be aware of the potential danger until you are very ill. A mildly dehydrated person can replenish fluids at home before severe symptoms set in. But if you wait too long, a trip to the hospital will be essential.

Symptoms

• Mild dehydration will make itself known through headaches, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth and thirst. Many people believe that if they are not thirsty, they are not dehydrated. This is a false and dangerous assumption because dehydration will begin to set in long before thirst does.

  Severe dehydration, which the Mayo Clinic categorizes as a medical emergency, will cause extreme fatigue and dry mouth, little or no urination, lack of sweating, irritability, shriveled skin, low blood pressure, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and in the most severe cases, hallucinations or unconsciousness. If a patient exhibits any of these symptoms, they must be given immediate medical treatment.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Dehydration has several causes, many of which are also symptoms. For example, if you become sick, run a fever and begin vomiting or having diarrhea, you will lose more fluids than you are gaining and will become dehydrated. You will then continue to run a fever and begin vomiting on account of the dehydration.

  Anytime you are sick or you are exercising or sweating more than usual, you are at a greater risk for dehydration. This is because the more you sweat and eliminate from your body, the less fluid there is left over. By not staying well-hydrated when you are at risk, you could be in severe danger.

  Children and the elderly are at a very high risk for dehydration as well simply because they are not aware or are not able to replenish their bodies themselves. An attentive nurse or parent is essential when staving off dehydration in these individuals.

Further Complications

• Dehydration can cause severe illness and possible death if not treated adequately and quickly. Shock, heatstroke, seizures, kidney failure, swelling of the brain and comas are all results of dehydration left too long. They can all result in brain damage or death if not treated.

Treatment

• In a mild case, dehydration can be treated at home by resting and replenishing lost fluids until the urine is clear and consistent. However, if a person is severely dehydrated, they will need medical attention. For most individuals, especially children, doctors may use an oral rehydration solution. These solutions are a mix of salt and water to help replace lost electrolytes and fluids. They will usually contain glucose or other carbohydrate to assist absorption into the digestive tract. Drinking sports drinks can help replace lost electrolytes, something plain water does not do.

  In the most severe cases, salts and fluids may have to be administered intravenously. This is the fastest way to replenish the body with essential elements and is only used in a worst-case scenario.

Prevention

• The best way to prevent dehydration is to stay well-hydrated. It can be difficult to gauge how hydrated a person is; even though they are not thirsty, dehydration could still be gradually setting in. The best way to determine dehydration is to monitor the urinary output. A well-hydrated person will have clear or pale yellow urine. The person will also be urinating consistently throughout the day. Dark yellow or brown urine and urinating only once or twice a day is a sign that the person needs to take in more fluids.

  Simply drinking 8 to 10 glasses of fluids a day can help prevent dehydration. Also, be aware of your body. Drink extra water before and after exercise and drink a sports drink if you will be exercising for more than an hour. Avoid high-protein diets and do not drink excessive alcohol or caffeine.