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ABOUT CAUSES DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT NEXT STEPS
Dehydration is when you don’t have enough water in your body. The human body normally contains a lot of water. It helps keep your body healthy and working well. Mild dehydration can cause problems with blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Severe dehydration can also cause weakness or confusion. In extreme cases, it can lead to brain damage and even death. Everyone loses body water daily through sweat, tears, breathing, urine, and stool. This water is replaced by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. Dehydration can have many causes. You may have lost water from diarrhea or vomiting. Or you may be sweating from exercise or hot weather. Loss of water often leads to an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Electrolytes are minerals and salts that the body needs to function. They include sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Dehydration can be caused by:
You are more at risk if you:
Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each person. They can include:
The symptoms of dehydration can look like other health conditions. See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and health history. The provider may also ask about recent illness or activity. You will also have a physical exam. Your blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate will be checked. You may have blood or urine tests.
Treatment will depend on your symptoms, your age, and your general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. You also may be treated for diarrhea, vomiting, or a high fever if illness caused your dehydration. For moderate to severe dehydration, you may need IV (intravenous) fluids. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency. It needs to be treated right away with IV fluids in a hospital. For mild dehydration, you can drink fluids. You may need to restore not just water, but also electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Sports drinks can replace water and electrolytes. You can also drink water, fruit juices, tea, and soda. Don't have drinks with caffeine. These include some energy drinks, teas, sodas, and coffee drinks. Don’t drink alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol may cause your body to lose more water. Talk with your healthcare providers about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all treatments.
Severe dehydration that is not treated can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and death.
Advice varies. On average, an adult should drink about 2 to 3 quarts of fluid per day. Drinking 12 8-ounce glasses of fluid every day would help reach this goal. Drink more if you are in hot weather or exercising. Drinks may include:
If you have been diagnosed with a kidney or heart disease, ask your healthcare provider how much and what types of fluids you should drink to prevent dehydration. When you have kidney or heart disease, fluid can build up in the body. This can be dangerous to your health.
Call the healthcare provider if you have:
Call 911 or go to the emergency room (ER) right away if you have:
Key points about dehydration
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Medical Reviewer: Eric Perez MD Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD Medical Reviewer: Maryann Foley RN BSN © 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. |