Dehydration

What Are the Symptoms of Dehydration

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: March 23, 2022
What Are the Symptoms of Dehydration

Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the body loses more liquid than what is ingested and therefore can not optimally perform its normal functions. The risk of dehydration increases exponentially in summer due to high temperatures but also when you sweat excessively during exercise, so you should be alert and always keep well hydrated by consuming enough water and healthy fluids. Pay attention to the following OneHowTo article and find out what the symptoms of dehydration are, as well as when to see a doctor to treat it.

You may also be interested in: How to Know if I Am Dehydrated?
Steps to follow:
1

Dehydration, as we have explained, occurs when there is excessive loss of body fluids, which in turn hinders or prevents the body from carrying out its vital functions properly. There are several factors that can cause this excessive loss of fluid, among the most common are excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased urination (polyuria) and fever.

2

It is important to know that depending on the amount of body fluid loss the dehydration can be mild or severe and that the latter should be treated by a physician urgently otherwise it could potentially cause death or significant brain damage and / or seizures. Next we detail both the symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration as well as those of severe dehydration so you know how to differentiate these and act accordingly.

3

Mild or moderate dehydration is that when fluid loss accounts for a loss in patient body weight of between 5 to 10%; their symptoms are:

  • Thirst.
  • Dry mouth and lack of moisture in the lips.
  • Fatigue, tiredness, dizziness and light-headedness.
  • Dry skin.
  • To not urinate a lot and when doing so having a dark urine with stronger and more intense smell.
  • Muscle cramps.
What Are the Symptoms of Dehydration - Step 3
4

When the amount of fluid loss represents more than 10% of the patient body weight this is considered to be a severe dehydration; in this case symptoms of dehydration can be:

  • Feeling extreme thirst
  • Very dry mouth, skin and and mucous membranes.
  • Extreme irritability or confusion.
  • Dizziness or light-headedness.
  • Lack of urination or very dark urine of an amber colour.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Tachycardia.
  • Quick and rapid breathing.
  • Fever
  • Unconsciousness or delirium in the most serious cases.
What Are the Symptoms of Dehydration - Step 4
5

Dehydration requires immediate treatment, when mild it will be necessary that the patient be hydrated by drinking water or oral re-hydration solutions available in pharmacies, especially in cases of diarrhea and vomiting. In addition, it is also necessary to counter fluid loss by consuming foods with a high water content such as vegetables and fruits.

However, if the patient loses consciousness, has a high fever or has suffered sunstroke, can not keep liquids down, has severe diarrhea and any of the symptoms of severe dehydration listed above he or she will require urgent intervention by a doctor or emergency services professional.

What Are the Symptoms of Dehydration - Step 5

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to What Are the Symptoms of Dehydration, we recommend you visit our Family health category.

Write a comment

What did you think of this article?
1 of 4
What Are the Symptoms of Dehydration