Dehydration occurs when your body does not have enough fluids to perform its normal functions. Your body loses more water and other fluids than it takes in, leading to a potentially serious medical condition. Excessive sweating, the use of diuretics, excessive alcohol use, serious diarrhea, fever and vomiting can cause dehydration. Failure to drink fluids during exercise or in hot weather also can cause dehydration. While dehydration can happen to anyone, children, the elderly and people with serious illnesses are at special risk for dehydration. Fluids should be replaced in the body before dehydration occurs. Your body provides several warning signs when it becomes dehydrated.
Moderate Dehydration Symptoms
Moderate dehydration symptoms include a dry, sticky mouth; thirst, sunken eyes and the inability to produce tears. You might feel tired, lethargic and sleepy and have no urine output or low output of dark yellow urine. Your symptoms could include headache, muscle weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness.
Symptoms in Infants and Children
Dehydration in infants may cause sunken fontanels, which are the soft spots on top of a baby's head. Infants and children with dehydration are likely to be less active or lethargic. Your child might not produce tears when crying and checks of her diapers might reveal lowered urine output, specifically, fewer than six wet diapers for an entire day. Your older child or teen might go for eight or more hours without urinating. The Mayo Clinic website recommends using the color of urine to check for dehydration.
Severe Dehydration Symptoms
The Mayo Clinic site cautions that severe dehydration should be treated as a medical emergency. Symptoms include extreme thirst and lack of perspiration. You might be unable to produce tears or urine and your skin may appear dry, shriveled and lacking in elasticity. Your symptoms might include rapid heartbeat or low blood pressure. Fever may be present and, in very serious cases, you could experience delirium or become unconscious or comatose. Untreated severe dehydration can lead to seizures, permanent brain damage and death, according to MedlinePlus.
