Fact Checked
Overview Of Dehydration
- Dehydration is the unnecessary loss of fluids from the body. If the body loses more fluids than it actually replaces, this will cause dehydration.
- Usually, the depletion of fluids is indicated by thirstiness and is replaced by drinking.
- If the fluid loss is not substituted, dehydration occurs, and can result in kidney failure and might even be deadly.
- This serious form of dehydration is a medical crisis.
What Are The Causes Of Dehydration
Some causes of dehydration consist of:
- Extreme sweating as a result of energetic workouts (particularly in warm weather) or not drinking sufficient liquids in warm weather;
- Nausea;
- Fever;
- Consuming large amounts of alcohol;
- Diabetic complications; and
- Certain medications.
Dehydration is the unnecessary loss of fluids from the body. If the body loses more fluids than it actually replaces, this will cause dehydration.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dehydration
The symptoms of dehydration differ depending on the severity of the dehydration.
Slight to reasonable dehydration symptoms consist of:
- Thirstiness;
- Mouth becomes dry;
- A decrease in weight;
- A drop in the volume of urine passed, and the urine might seem murkier than normal;
- Faintness or unsteadiness (mainly when standing).
Serious dehydration symptoms consist of:
- Extreme thirstiness;
- Blood pressure is low;
- Fast heart rate;
- Irritability, sleepiness or misunderstanding.
Problems Expected From Dehydration
Problems of severe dehydration can consist of:
- Damage to the kidney;
- Fits or seizures; and
- Shock as a result of low blood pressure.
Treatment Of Severe Dehydration
- You should visit the emergency department of your local hospital if there are symptoms of dehydration.
- Your GP can discover the reason for the dehydration and treat it, and might administer arterial fluids (fluids provided through a drip inserted into a vein) if the dehydration is serious.
- Kids with serious dehydration are observed in hospital for rehydration and careful nursing is needed to monitor their condition.
How To Prevent Dehydration
- Dehydration can be avoided by consuming plenty of liquids, particularly if you are in a warm environment, partaking in an active exercise or if you have diarrhea.