How to Get an IV Infusion for Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when your body doesn't have enough fluid to properly function. In most cases, dehydration occurs from excessive sweating and exertion without drinking the proper amount of fluids. Some chronic illness will also make you more susceptible to dehydration. Other causes include diarrhea, vomiting and fever. For most cases of dehydration, drinking fluids is enough to resolve it. In severe situations, dehydration will require immediate medical attention. In these severe cases, your doctor will likely rehydrate you via on IV infusion rather than taking in fluids orally.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn about symptoms of dehydration. Recognize that symptoms of mild dehydration include dizziness, fatigue, thirst and headache. Symptoms of severe dehydration include these symptoms as well as lack of sweat, little urine output, rapid heartbeat, labored breathing and low blood pressure. Look at your urine, dark yellow or amber urine could be signs of dehydration.

• 2

  Go immediately to the hospital or your doctor's office if you or someone you know are exhibiting symptoms of extreme dehydration. If left untreated, severe dehydration can lead to brain swelling, seizures, kidney failure and even death.

• 3

  Talk to you doctor about your symptoms. He will also take your blood pressure and ask you about your medical history.

• 4

  Allow your doctor to set up on IV drip if he deems your dehydration as serious enough. The drip will be a combination of salts and fluids and it will help rehydrate you. Allow your doctor to insert a needle into a vein in your hand or the crook of your arm to administer the fluids.