Overview

Dehydration occurs when your body loses too much fluid. This can happen when you stop drinking water or lose large amounts of fluid through diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, or exercise. Not drinking enough fluids can cause muscle cramps. You may feel faint. Usually your body can reabsorb fluid from your blood and other body tissues. But by the time you become severely dehydrated, you no longer have enough fluid in your body to get blood to your organs. You may go into shock, which is a life-threatening condition.

Dehydration can occur in anyone of any age. But it's most dangerous for babies, small children, and older adults.

Dehydration in babies and small children

Babies and small children have a greater chance of becoming dehydrated. That's because:

• A greater portion of their bodies is made of water.
• Children have a high metabolic rate, so their bodies use more water.
• A child's kidneys don't conserve water as well as an adult's kidneys.
• A child's natural defense system that helps fight infection (immune system) isn't fully developed. This makes them more likely to get an illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea.
• Children often won't drink or eat when they aren't feeling well.
• They depend on their caregivers to provide them with food and fluids.

Dehydration in older adults

Older adults have a greater chance of becoming dehydrated because they may:

• Not drink because they don't feel thirsty.
• Have kidneys that don't work well.
• Choose not to drink because they can't control their bladders (incontinence).
• Have physical problems or a disease that makes it:
  • Hard to drink or hold a glass.
  • Painful to get up from a chair.
  • Painful or exhausting to go to the bathroom.
  • Hard to talk or communicate to someone about their symptoms.
• Take medicines, such as antihistamines or blood pressure medicines, that increase urine output.
• Find it harder to eat a healthy diet.

Early symptoms of dehydration

Watch babies, small children, and older adults closely for the early symptoms of dehydration anytime they have an illness that causes high fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. These are the early symptoms of dehydration:

• The mouth and eyes may be drier than usual.
• The person may pass less urine than usual.
• The person may feel cranky, tired, or dizzy.

Self-Care

In the early stages, you may be able to correct mild dehydration with home treatment. It's important to take action to prevent dehydration. Here are some things you can do.

• Stop your activity.
• Get out of direct sunlight.

  Lie down in a cool spot, such as in the shade or an air-conditioned area.

• Prop up your feet.
• Take off any extra clothes.
• Drink plenty of fluids.

  Use an electrolyte replacement drink or sports drink to replace fluids and minerals.

• Rest.

  Take it easy for 24 hours. Keep drinking a lot of fluids. You'll probably start feeling better within just a few hours. But it may take as long as a day and a half to completely replace the fluid that you lost.

Caring for a child

It's important to take action to prevent dehydration in children, ages 1 to 11 years. Use these tips if your child is dehydrated.

• Give your child more fluids.

  Make sure that your child is drinking often. Frequent, small amounts work best.

• Give your child cereal or flavored ice pops.

  Fluids can be replaced with cereal mixed with milk or water. Don't give your child fruit juice or soda pop. They contain too much sugar and not enough of the essential minerals (electrolytes) that are being lost. Diet soda pop lacks calories that your child needs.

• Give your child an oral rehydration solution (ORS).

  If your child still isn't drinking enough fluids, you can try an ORS, such as Pedialyte. The amount of ORS your child needs depends on your child's age and size.

Caring for a baby

Don't wait until you see signs of dehydration in your newborn or baby younger than 1 year of age. These signs include your baby having fewer or no wet diapers and dry mouth and dry eyes (fewer tears than usual). Here are some things you can do help prevent your baby from getting dehydrated.

• Give your baby more fluids.

  Breastfeed your baby more often. Offer each breast to your baby for 1 to 2 minutes every 10 minutes. If you use a bottle to feed your baby, increase the number of feedings to make up for lost fluids. The amount of extra fluid your baby needs depends on your baby's age and size. For example, a newborn may need as little as 1 fl oz (30 mL) at each extra feeding. A 12-month-old baby may need as much as 3 fl oz (90 mL) at each extra feeding.

• Check with your doctor about using an oral rehydration solution (ORS).

  If your baby still isn't getting enough fluids from formula or the breast, you can try an ORS, such as Pedialyte. The amount of ORS your baby needs depends on your baby's age and size. You can give the ORS in a dropper, a spoon, or a bottle.

• Give your baby more cereal.

  If your baby has started eating cereal, you may replace lost fluids with cereal. You also may feed your baby strained bananas and mashed potatoes if your child has had these foods before.

When to call for help during self-care

Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:

• More severe dehydration.
• Decreased alertness.
• New or worse dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Decreased urination.
• Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.

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