DEHYDRATION

DEHYDRATION





What is dehydration?

It’s a warm summer day, and you’re feeling parched. Make sure you reach for a tall glass of water. You’re already beginning to feel the signs of dehydration.

Dehydration is a condition in which you lose so much body fluid that your body can’t function normally. It occurs when you lose more fluids than you take in. Dehydration may happen on a particularly hot day if you sweat a lot, or if you’re sick with fever, diarrhea or vomiting. It can also occur if don’t drink enough water, or if you’re taking a medication that increases your pee (urine) output.

When you aren’t properly hydrated, your body’s natural response is thirst. You should respond to thirst right away by drinking fluids — preferably water. You can usually treat mild dehydration by drinking more fluids. But dehydration isn’t always easy to spot. It can be found in the aging parent who forgets to drink water or the fussy baby who can’t tell you they’re thirsty. Make sure to keep your loved ones hydrated. If you or a loved one has a moderate to severe case of dehydration, you may need to go to the hospital to get IV fluids. Left untreated, severe dehydration can be fatal.

Dehydration symptoms in adults may include:


Headache, delirium and confusion.
Tiredness (fatigue).
Dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness.
Dry mouth and/or a dry cough.
High heart rate but low blood pressure.
Loss of appetite but maybe craving sugar.
Flushed (red) skin.
Swollen feet.