Your body is comprised of about 55%-60% water. It is important to consume a large amount of water in order for your body to complete routine daily functions. The average adult requires about three quarts of water each day. When you do not take in enough water due to an illness or because of other reasons, you may begin to experience mild signs of dehydration.
Common causes of dehydration in healthy adults include the following:
- Sweating in response to activity or extreme heat
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Signs and symptoms of dehydration are dependent on your age and how severe your dehydration is. Signs of dehydration in babies and young children can include:
- Dry mouth or tongue
- Crying without the production of tears
- Not having a wet diaper for 3 or more hours
- High fever
- Sunken eyes or cheeks
- Drowsiness, being lethargic or sleepy
Signs of mild to moderate dehydration in adults include:
- Feeling thirsty
- Dry and sticky mouth
- Dry skin
- Infrequent urination
- Dark yellow urine
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
Severe dehydration is defined by the loss of 10-15% of the water in the body. Signs and symptoms of severe dehydration include the following:
- Not urinating at all or having extremely dark yellow pee
- Dry skin
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat or breathing
- Sunken eyes
- Feeling lethargic
- Tiredness, confusion or irritable
- Fainting
Mild to moderate dehydration can usually be treated at home.
Below are the recommendations to reverse the effects of dehydration.
- Slowly drink water
- Eat ice cubes or popsicles
- Slowly drink a beverage which contains electrolytes
- Avoid driving caffeinated beverages which includes coffee, tea, or soda. Caffeine may cause more frequent urination.
Moderate to severe dehydration needs medical attention. Go to an emergency room or call 911. Untreated severe dehydration can cause seizures, permanent brain damage, and even death.
Call your family doctor if you’re not sure if your symptoms are serious enough to go to the hospital.