How to avoid extreme dehydration
Dehydration is most common on hot days, especially after exercise, but it can affect anyone at any age. Infants and older adults face the highest risk. Fortunately, your body will show signs of mild dehydration before it reaches a dangerous level. Knowing what to watch for can help you respond early and stay safe.
Know the early warning signs of dehydration
The most common cause of dehydration is not drinking enough water. Feeling thirsty is your body’s first alert. While that may seem obvious, it’s easy to ignore or misread, especially if you reach for fluids that worsen dehydration, like alcohol or caffeine.
If water isn’t available, opt for a sports drink that’s high in electrolytes and low in sugar, or snack on hydrating fruits and vegetables like oranges or cucumbers.
Another helpful indicator is the color of your urine. Clear or pale-yellow urine means you’re well hydrated.
Other early warning signs of dehydration include:
- Changes in your skin, like not bouncing back when pinched
- Constipation
- Decreased urine output
- Difficulty focusing
- Dry or sticky mouth
- Fatigue or lightheaded, especially when standing
Paying attention to these early warning signs can help you recover from mild or moderate dehydration before it becomes a medical emergency.
Recognize when dehydration is an emergency
Moderate dehydration can escalate quickly. Watch for physical, circulatory, and mental changes that signal severe dehydration.
You may be severely dehydrated if you experience:
- Sudden confusion, irritability, or disorientation
- Loss of consciousness
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat and breathing
- Seizures
- Severe and sudden headache
- Shock symptoms like cold, clammy skin
- Sunken eyes or cheeks
- Very dark or strong-smelling urine and/or no urine output
In some cases, extreme dehydration can even cause chest pain. Without enough fluids, your body faces lower blood volume, which puts extra strain on your heart and lungs. The result can be a faster heart rate, which you may feel as a dull or aching pain in your chest.
If you have — or witness anyone else with — these symptoms, get medical help right away. Emergency dehydration treatment typically involves an intravenous (IV) solution to rapidly restore fluids and nutrients. Your heart rate, blood pressure and kidney function will also need to be monitored.
Understand the signs and risks at every stage of life
Dehydration in older adults
Older adults are especially vulnerable. Over time, the body’s thirst signals weaken, and kidney function declines. Symptoms of dehydration in elderly people may include:
- Lack of sweating
- Muscle cramps
- Inability to produce tears
Dehydration in infants and children
Dehydration can be serious for infants, especially during the first six months of life. Your baby should have at least six wet diapers every 24 hours (after 5 days old). If you notice fewer, call the pediatrician.
Warning signs of infant dehydration can also include having trouble waking your baby, an absence of tears when your baby is crying or a sunken soft spot on the head.
It’s also important to remember that diarrhea and dehydration often go together since the body quickly loses fluid during bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. If your child has these symptoms for more than 24 hours, it’s time to see the pediatrician or seek emergency dehydration treatment.
For toddlers and older children, watch for:
- Irritability
- Lethargy or reduced activity
- Pale, cool, or clammy skin
- Decreased fluid intake
- Weight loss
Offer fluids regularly, especially during active play or warm weather. If your child won’t drink or symptoms worsen, seek medical help.
Dehydration in pregnant women
Hydration is especially important during pregnancy. Without enough fluid, your body can’t produce enough amniotic fluid. Chronic dehydration in pregnancy can cause problems for your baby, such as:
- Low birth weight
- Preterm contractions
- Problems with brain and spine development
- Small head or chest size
Dehydration can also reduce milk supply. If you experience symptoms, contact your provider promptly.
We’re here for you
Extreme dehydration is considered a medical emergency. From heat stroke and seizures to brain damage and kidney failure, the long-term health issues can be quite serious.
But when caught early, IV fluids and electrolyte replacement can prevent long-term harm.
Urgent care centers, hospitals, and many doctors’ offices offer IV fluids for dehydration and monitor your vital signs.
If you or a loved one shows signs of dehydration, don’t wait. At HCA Florida Healthcare, we have pediatricians, primary care providers, emergency physicians and others ready to help when you need us.