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Dehydration cause and management

Dehydration happens when you lose or use more fluid than you consume via urine, sweat, and your breath. Your body is roughly 60% water and your brain is approximately 70% water by weigh and this is necessary for proper functioning. Failing to replace lost fluids and electrolytes can lead to dehydration.

 Dehydration is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly, whose bodies have a more difficult time adapting to physiological stress.

In young children, diarrhea and vomiting are the most common causes of dehydration. It is natural for older adults to have less water in their bodies, and some conditions and medications may increase the risk of dehydration.

Even minor illnesses, like infections of the lungs or bladder, can lead to dehydration in older adults.

Other factors, such as increased exercise, hot climate, flying, excessive salt intake, or dry climate can also lead to higher than normal water use and can increase the risk of dehydration.

Drinking more water usually reverses mild to moderate dehydration, but severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention.

Dehydration Symptoms

Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than it takes in. This can happen due to sweating, urinating, water loss from your lungs, or not drinking enough fluids. Dehydration can range from mild to severe and can cause a variety of symptoms. Here are some common signs and symptoms of dehydration:

  • Thirst: Feeling thirsty is often the first sign of dehydration. It is important to note that in adults the thirst feeling is often mistaken for hunger, especially in situations of chronic dehydration.
  • Dry mouth and throat: When you’re dehydrated, your body may not produce enough saliva, causing your mouth and throat to feel dry.
  • Dark yellow urine: Your urine becomes darker when you’re dehydrated, as your kidneys try to conserve fluids.
  • Fatigue: Dehydration can cause fatigue, as your body needs fluids to produce energy.
  • Headache: Dehydration can cause headaches due to decreased blood volume and oxygen flow to the brain.
  • Dizziness: Dehydration can cause lightheadedness and dizziness, as it affects blood pressure and circulation.
  • Muscle cramps: Dehydration can cause muscle cramps, as it affects the balance of electrolytes in your body.
  • Dry skin: Dehydration can make your skin dry and less elastic.
  • Rapid heartbeat: Dehydration can cause an increase in heart rate, as it affects blood volume.
  • Brain fog: Many people notice brain fog with dehydration, as circulation to the brain is diminished.To read our Brain Frog article click on this link Brain Fog and Learn How To Manage .
  • Confusion: Severe dehydration can cause confusion, irritability, and even seizures.

It’s important to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration and to seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms.

Dehydration Symptoms in Adults

Dehydration occurs when there is an imbalance between fluid intake and fluid loss, resulting in the body not having enough water to carry out its normal functions. While mild dehydration can be easily reversed by drinking fluids, severe dehydration can lead to serious complications such as organ failure and even death.

In adults, the symptoms of dehydration may vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some common signs and symptoms of dehydration in adults include:

  • Thirst: Thirst is the body’s natural response to dehydration, but it is often the last sign that a person is becoming dehydrated, because in many adults the thirst sense is lost or diminished because the body is trained that hunger is more effective.
  • Hunger: In situations in which mild dehydration has become chronic, hunger is often the first signal that dehydration is increasing, because fluids are more reliably consumed through food rather than through liquids.
  • Dry mouth and throat: Dehydration can cause the body to produce less saliva, resulting in a dry mouth and throat.
  • Reduced urine output: When the body is dehydrated, the kidneys try to conserve water by reducing the amount of urine produced. This can result in infrequent urination, and when urine is produced, it may be dark yellow or amber in color.
  • Dark yellow urine: As the kidneys try to conserve water, the urine becomes more concentrated and darker in color.
  • Fatigue and weakness: Dehydration can cause fatigue and weakness due to the body’s reduced ability to carry out normal functions.
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness: Dehydration can cause dizziness and lightheadedness due to reduced blood flow to the brain.
  • Brain fog: Mild to moderate dehydration is often associated with brain fog, or a feeling that your mind isn’t as sharp or as clear as it should be.
  • Confusion: Severe dehydration can cause confusion and disorientation, making it difficult for a person to think clearly or make decisions.
  • Rapid heartbeat and breathing: Dehydration can cause the heart to beat faster, and the breathing rate to increase as the body tries to compensate for the lack of fluids.
  • Dry skin and mucous membranes: Dehydration can cause the skin to become dry and the mucous membranes to dry out, making a person more susceptible to infections.
  • Muscle cramps: Dehydration can cause muscle cramps due to the lack of fluid and electrolyte imbalances in the body.

In conclusion, dehydration can cause a variety of symptoms in adults, ranging from mild to severe. It is important to drink enough fluids and seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms.

Dehydration Symptoms in Infants or Young Children

Dehydration is a serious condition that occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. In infants and young children, dehydration can be particularly dangerous as they have a smaller body size with more surface area relative to their mass and are more vulnerable to the effects of fluid loss. Understanding the symptoms of dehydration in infants and young children is crucial for prompt treatment and prevention of complications.

Common symptoms of dehydration in infants and young children include:

  • Dry mouth and tongue: A dry mouth and tongue are common signs of dehydration in infants and young children. This is because when the body is dehydrated, it conserves fluids by reducing the production of saliva.
  • No tears when crying: Infants and young children who are dehydrated may not produce tears when crying.
  • Decreased urine output: Infants and young children who are dehydrated may produce less urine than usual or have no urine output at all.
  • Sunken eyes: Dehydration can cause the eyes to appear sunken in infants and young children due to a lack of fluid in the body.
  • Sunken fontanelle: The fontanelle is the soft spot on the top of an infant’s head. If the fontanelle appears sunken, it can be a sign of dehydration.
  • Irritability and fussiness: Dehydration can cause irritability and fussiness in infants and young children.
  • Dry skin: Dehydration can cause the skin to appear dry and less elastic in infants and young children.
  • Fatigue and lethargy: Dehydration can cause fatigue and weakness in infants and young children, as the body is not getting enough fluids to carry out normal functions.
  • Rapid breathing and heartbeat: Dehydration can cause rapid breathing and heartbeat in infants and young children as the body tries to compensate for the lack of fluids.
  • Cool extremities: Dehydration can cause the extremities, such as the hands and feet, to feel cool to the touch in infants and young children.

In conclusion, dehydration in infants and young children can be a serious condition that requires prompt attention. Understanding the symptoms of dehydration in infants and young children can help parents and caregivers recognize the condition early and seek medical attention if necessary.

When to see a doctor if you have Dehydration Symptoms

Dehydration is a serious condition that can lead to significant health problems if left untreated. While mild dehydration can usually be reversed by drinking fluids with a small amount of electrolytes like a pinch of sea salt, a squeeze of lemon, or an electrolyte powder, severe dehydration can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Knowing when to seek medical help for dehydration is essential for preventing complications.

The following are some signs and symptoms that indicate it may be time to seek medical attention for dehydration:

  • Severe or persistent diarrhea: Diarrhea can lead to significant fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances, making it crucial to seek medical attention if diarrhea persists for more than 24-48 hours.
  • Vomiting: Vomiting can cause significant fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances, making it important to seek medical attention if vomiting persists or is severe.
  • Fever: High fever can cause dehydration as the body tries to regulate its temperature, making it important to seek medical attention if a fever persists or is high.
  • Blood in urine or stool: Blood in urine or stool can be a sign of a serious condition that requires medical attention.
  • Rapid heartbeat: Dehydration can cause the heart to beat faster as the body tries to compensate for the lack of fluids, making it important to seek medical attention if the heartbeat is rapid or irregular.
  • Confusion or lethargy: Severe dehydration can cause confusion, lethargy, and disorientation, making it important to seek medical attention if these symptoms are present.
  • Inability to keep fluids down: If you are unable to keep fluids down, it may be necessary to seek medical attention to prevent further dehydration.
  • Dry mouth or throat, with little or no urination: If you are experiencing severe dehydration and have a dry mouth or throat and little or no urination, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
  • Uncontrollable cramping or spams: Severe dehydration causes cramping, especially in the small muscles of hands and feet but even in the larger leg or arm muscles.  Cramping that is uncontrollable is a sign of dehydration requiring medical attention.

Severe dehydration is a serious condition that requires prompt attention, especially if severe symptoms are present. In this situation, fluids taken by mouth may not be enough to relieve dehydration and IV fluid replacement could be necessary. If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

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Amy Neuzil
Amy Neuzil

Dr. Amy Neuzil, N.D. is a leading expert in MTHFR and epigenetics, and she is passionate about helping people achieve optimal health and wellness for their genetic picture. She has helped thousands of people overcome health challenges using a simple, step-by-step approach that starts with where they are today. Dr. Neuzil's unique approach to wellness has helped countless people improve their energy levels, lose weight, and feel better mentally and emotionally. If you're looking for a way to feel your best, Dr. Amy Neuzil can help. Contact her today to learn more about how she can help you achieve optimal health and wellness.

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