What is dehydration?
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. If you don't replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated.
Anyone may become dehydrated, but the condition is especially dangerous for young children and older adults.
The most common cause of dehydration in young children is severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Older adults naturally have a lower volume of water in their bodies, and may have conditions or take medications that increase the risk of dehydration. This means that even minor illnesses, such as infections affecting the lungs or bladder, can result in dehydration in older adults.
Dehydration also can occur in any age group if you don't drink enough water during hot weather — especially if you are exercising vigorously.
You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of dehydration also may differ by age.
Infant or young child
- Dry mouth and tongue
- No tears when crying
- No wet diapers for three hours
- Sunken eyes, cheeks
- Sunken soft spot on top of skull
- Listlessness or irritability
Adult
- Extreme thirst
- Less frequent urination
- Dark-colored urine
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Confusion
When to see a doctor
Call your family doctor if you or someone:
- Has had diarrhea for 24 hours or more
- Is irritable or disoriented and much sleepier or less active than usual
- Can't keep down fluids
- Has bloody or black stool
Causes
Sometimes dehydration occurs for simple reasons: You don't drink enough water!
Other dehydration causes include: diarrhea, vomiting; fever; excessive sweating; increased urination.
Anyone can become dehydrated, but certain people are at greater risk: Infants and children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people who work or exercise outside at high temperature.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
