Dehydration — Signs and What to Do

What dehydration is

Dehydration is a condition caused by the loss of too much fluid from the body.

It happens when you are losing more fluids than you are taking in. Your body does not have enough fluids to work properly.

What causes it

Dehydration can be caused by:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Sweating too much
• Urinating too much, which can happen because of certain medicines and illnesses
• Fever
• Not drinking enough water or other fluids

Who is more likely to develop it

Some people are more likely to develop dehydration:

• Older adults. Some people lose their sense of thirst as they age, so they don’t drink enough fluids.
• Infants and young children, who are more likely to have diarrhea or vomiting.
• People with chronic illnesses that cause them to urinate or sweat more often, such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or kidney problems.
• People who take medicines that cause them to urinate or sweat more.
• People who exercise or work outdoors during hot weather.

Signs in adults

Signs in adults can include:

• Feeling very thirsty
• Dry mouth
• Urinating and sweating less than usual
• Dark-colored urine
• Dry skin
• Feeling tired
• Dizziness

Signs in infants and young children

Signs in infants and young children can include:

• Dry mouth and tongue
• Crying without tears
• No wet diapers for 3 hours or more
• A high fever
• Being unusually sleepy or drowsy
• Irritability
• Eyes that look sunken

What to do for mild cases

The treatment for dehydration is to replace the fluids and electrolytes that you have lost.

For mild cases, you may just need to drink lots of water.

If you lost electrolytes, sports drinks may help.

There are also oral rehydration solutions for children. You can buy those without a prescription.

If someone is having trouble keeping liquids down, try taking small sips of water or sucking on ice chips.

How severe cases are treated

Severe cases may be treated with intravenous (IV) fluids with salt in a hospital.

Prevention

• Drink enough water every day. Each person’s needs can be different, so ask your health care provider how much you should be drinking each day.
• Avoid drinks that have sugar and caffeine.
• Drink extra fluids when the weather is hot, especially if exercising or working outside.
• Get extra fluids when you are sick.