Dehydration occurs when fluid levels within your body drop too low. All of your tissues need fluids to properly carry out their tasks. Your body temperature, bone and joint health, digestion, hormone balances, and other processes are all affected by fluid levels.
Dehydration can initially cause mild symptoms that can be treated by drinking more water. However, severe dehydration may lead to more serious health problems and require treatment by health care providers.
Dehydration may lead to:
Severe dehydration can also cause extreme confusion, a fast breathing rate, or fainting. Get emergency medical care if you notice someone with these symptoms.
New-borns and small children may experience different symptoms of dehydration. They may not produce any tears when they cry, seem more tired or irritable than usual, or have a dry diaper for at least three hours. In some cases, they can also develop a fever or a sunken spot on top of their head.
You may become dehydrated if you aren’t drinking enough water, especially when it’s hot out. Dehydration can also occur if you are losing liquids quickly because you have diarrhoea or are vomiting, sweating, or urinating more than usual.
Some medical conditions can increase how much you urinate or sweat, leading to low fluid levels. These include:
Certain medications or substances, including alcohol, caffeine, water pills (diuretics), blood pressure medications, and cancer treatments, can also make you urinate more often.
Some groups of people experience dehydration at higher rates. Babies and young children are more at risk of conditions that cause diarrhoea or vomiting. Additionally, older adults are less likely to feel thirsty, tend to not drink enough water, and have a higher chance of using medications that cause dehydration.
If you seem like you may be dehydrated, your doctor may run blood tests and urine tests to look for signs of low fluid levels or other potential problems. Your blood pressure levels and heart rate may also indicate whether you’re experiencing dehydration.
If dehydration goes untreated, it may cause problems like:
If you’re feeling dehydrated or are at risk of dehydration because of medications or health conditions, drink extra water. It may also help to drink oral rehydration solution (ORS). To make ORS at home, add 6 teaspoons of sugar and 0.5 teaspoons of salt to one litre of water and mix well. Products like Gatorade and Pedialyte also contain electrolytes that can help with rehydration.
When you’re dehydrated, avoid drinking other beverages such as soda, fruit juice, caffeine-containing drinks, and alcohol, as this can make the issue worse.
For cases of severe dehydration, or if you have an ongoing health problem that makes you lose a lot of fluid quickly, you may need emergency medical care. Doctors can deliver fluids directly into your veins through an IV to help treat dehydration more quickly.
To reduce your risk of dehydration, make sure to drink plenty of water. You may need extra water if you’re exercising, using certain medications, spending time in hot temperatures, or experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting. Older adults should also drink more water than usual when they have colds, the flu (influenza), bronchitis, or other infections. Ask your doctor how much water is recommended based on your needs.