Our bodies are 70 per cent water, and if you do not stay hydrated, it can have both short and long- term effects on your health. Sports drinks like Gatorade are okay occasionally, but the National Institute of Health warms that they are often high in sugar and may cause diarrhea, which could worsen dehydration. The best way to stay hydrated on a day-to-day basis is to drink plenty of pure water. Because of their smaller bodies, infants and children are at a higher risk for dehydration.
Headache
One common symptom of dehydration is headache. In fact, if you have a headache, a good first line of defense before taking over-the-counter medication would be to drink a glass or two of water. Moderate to severe dehydration may also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Lethargy
You may have heard people say that water is the original energy drink, and there's some truth to that. People who are dehydrated may become sleepy, tired or lethargic. If your child is less active than usual and seems run down but is not exhibiting any other symptoms of illness, he may be dehydrated. Call your doctor if your child is extremely lethargic and does not respond to your attempts to rehydrate him.
Decreased Fluid Output
Even mild dehydration can give you a dry, sticky or cottony mouth. Urine output will be decreased, according to the Mayo Clinic. Infants that are dehydrated may go three hours or more without a wet diaper, and dehydrated older children may go eight hours or more without urinating and urine will be dark yellow or amber in color. Dehydration can also cause constipation. People who are dehydrated will produce few to no tears when crying and may also have dry skin.
Severe Dehydration Symptoms
Mild to moderate dehydration can usually be corrected at home by drinking more water, but severe dehydration should be treated by a doctor. Some of the symptoms of severe dehydration include irritability or confusion that in extreme cases can turn into delirium, sunken eyes, shriveled skin, painfully dry mouth and mucous membranes, rapid heartbeat and fever. If left untreated, severe dehydration can cause seizures, permanent brain damage or even death, and you should call your doctor or go to the hospital immediately if you or your child experiences any of the symptoms of severe dehydration. Severe dehydration may occur during or after an illness with vomiting, diarrhea or fever, all of which will cause a person to lose more fluids than usual. Increasing fluid intake at the first sign of illness can help prevent dehydration from worsening.
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