Symptoms Of Dehydration

Mild to moderate dehydration can cause:

Dry, sticky mouth

Sleepiness or tiredness - children tend to be less active than usual

Thirst

Decreased urine output - no wet diapers for three hours for infants and eight hours or more without urination for older children and adolescents

Tears when crying little or no

Dry skin

Headaches

Constipation

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Severe dehydration, emergency, can cause:

Extreme thirst

Extreme irritability or sleepiness in infants and children, irritability and confusion in adults

Very dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes

Lack of sweat

Little or no urination - urine that is produced is a dark yellow or orange

Sunken eyes

Dry wrinkled skin and loss of elasticity and not to "bounce back" when pinched into a fold

In infants, sunken fontanelles - the weak spots in the top of the head of a baby

Low blood pressure

Palpitation

Rapid breathing

No tears when crying

Fever

In severe cases, delirium or unconsciousness

Unfortunately, thirst is not always a reliable measure of the body's need for water, particularly children and the elderly. A better indicator is the color of your urine: clear or light-colored urine means you are well hydrated, while yellow or dark red color usually signals dehydration.

When to see a doctor

If you are a healthy adult, you can usually treat mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more liquids, like water or sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.).

Get immediate medical attention if you develop severe signs and symptoms such as thirst, no urine, wrinkled skin, dizziness and confusion.

Care of children and the elderly more caution. Call your family doctor immediately if your loved one:

Severe diarrhea, with or without vomiting or fever

He has bloody stools

It 'was a mild diarrhea three days or more

Impossible to reduce fluid

It is very irritable or disoriented and sleepier or less active than usual

There are no signs or symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration

Go to the nearest hospital emergency room or emergency medical attention if you think that adults of one or more children is severely dehydrated. You can help prevent dehydration from becoming severe by carefully monitoring someone who is sick and giving fluids, such as oral rehydration solution (Pedialyte and others) at the first sign of diarrhea, vomiting or fever, and encourage children to drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.