You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment. The safest approach is preventing dehydration in the first place. Keep an eye on how much fluid you lose during hot weather, illness or exercise, and drink enough liquids to replace what you've lost. Read about symptoms , causes , treatments and more.
This is because vomiting and diarrhea can cause too much water to be expelled from your body. Important electrolytes are also lost through these processes. Electrolytes are minerals used by the body to control the muscles, blood chemistry, and organ processes. These electrolytes are found in blood, urine, and other fluids in the body. Vomiting or diarrhea can impair these functions and cause severe complications, such as stroke and coma. Some conditions can cause chemical imbalances, which can increase your urine output.
The symptoms of dehydration differ depending on whether the condition is mild or severe. Symptoms of dehydration may begin to appear before total dehydration takes place. In addition to the symptoms of mild dehydration, severe dehydration is likely to cause the following:. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency. Before beginning any tests, your doctor will go over any symptoms you have to rule out other conditions. After taking your medical history, your doctor will check your vital signs , including your heart rate and blood pressure.
Low blood pressure and rapid heart rate can indicate dehydration. Your doctor may use a blood test to check your level of electrolytes, which can help indicate fluid loss.
This helps your doctor determine how well your kidneys are functioning, an indicator of the degree of dehydration. A urinalysis is an exam that uses a sample of urine to check for the presence of bacteria and electrolyte loss. The color of your urine can also indicate dehydration when combined with other symptoms. Treatments for dehydration include rehydrating methods, electrolyte replacement, and treating diarrhea or vomiting, if needed.
Rehydration by drinking may not be possible for all people, like those who have severe diarrhea or vomiting. In this case, fluids can be given intravenously. To do this, a small IV tube is inserted in a vein in the arm or hand. For those able to drink, drinking water along with an electrolyte-containing rehydration drink, such as a low-sugar sports or electrolyte drink, may be recommended.
Children with dehydration are often directed to drink Pedialyte. Using too much salt or sugar can be dangerous. Avoid soda, alcohol , overly sweet drinks, or caffeine.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Marx JA, et al.
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