Dehydration – Causes & Symptoms

Dehydration happens when our bodies lose more fluids than we take in. This occurs as a result of exercise, sweating, vomiting or diarrhea and can be a serious and/or life threatening situation. Not drinking enough fluids will eventually lead to muscle cramps, and feeling light-headed or fainting.  In cases of severe dehydration, you no longer have enough fluid to get blood to your organs, which can lead to shock, which is a life threatening condition. Recent studies have revealed that 75-80% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.

There are many reasons for this:

• Not drinking because you don’t feel thirsty.
• Kidneys that do not work well.
• Choosing not to drink because of inability to control bladder (incontinence).
• Painful urination.
• Taking medicines that increase urine output (diuretics).

The symptoms of dehydration are:

• Mouth and eyes are dry
• You pass little urine or urine is much darker than usual.
• You are more thirsty than usual.
• Not feeling alert or thinking clearly.
• Too weak or dizzy to stand.

Mild to moderate dehydration can be treated at home by drinking more fluids. Severe dehydration requires immediate emergency medical treatment. Call 911 immediately.