An electrolyte imbalance and dry mouth are symptoms of dehydration. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals in your blood that help keep bodily fluids in balance. Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate and other minerals function as electrolytes. Your dry mouth may be an early warning sign that you're becoming dehydrated, but it may also mean you're already dehydrated, as the symptom can persist until successful treatment.
Accompanying Symptoms
If you have an electrolyte imbalance and dry mouth, expect other symptoms of dehydration as well. Early on, these usually include decreased urine output or constipation, and urine that is darkly colored and that smells particularly potent because it's more concentrated. You may have a headache or feel slightly dizzy. Your energy decreases as your electrolytes become more imbalanced and your fluids further deplete, as well. As your dehydration worsens, your mouth can become drier and sticky and your thirst extreme. Irritability and confusion sometimes occur, and you may eventually become disoriented or delirious. Your skin can lose its elasticity and you might notice accelerated breathing or heart rate.
Causes
Your electrolyte imbalance and dry mouth result from lost fluids that aren't replaced quickly enough. Sweating is a key cause, especially during prolonged or strenuous physical activity. Hot or humid weather that leads to heavy perspiration may cause dehydration, too. If you have a fever accompanied by excessive sweating, this too sometimes causes an electrolyte imbalance and dry mouth. Illness also contributes when fluids are lost via diarrhea or vomiting. Excessive urination can also cause dehydration. Uncontrolled diabetes, alcohol consumption and some medications sometimes trigger excessive urine output.
Treatment/Prevention
Replacing lost fluids and electrolytes is essential to preventing and treating dehydration and its electrolyte imbalance and dry mouth. While drinking water effectively replenishes lost fluids, sports drinks, fruit juices and electrolyte replacement beverages are best, because they also replenish electrolytes. Even an ice pop made with real fruit juice helps. Drink fluids before, during and after exercise or sports. Treat a high fever with an over-the-counter fever reducer, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Dress lightly if you have a fever, even when experiencing chills; cover yourself with a light blanket made from a breathable material. If an upset stomach makes it difficult to keep fluids down, try taking periodic small sips.
Warnings
Infants and children are particularly susceptible to developing an electrolyte imbalance and dry mouth from dehydration. In addition, they can go from mildly to severely dehydrated rapidly. Monitor them closely during hot weather and illness. Talk to your pediatrician if you suspect dehydration. Never treat a child's fever with aspirin to avoid a serious complication called Reye syndrome. Extreme dehydration is potentially life-threatening, and can have other serious effects, including seizures, low blood volume, swelling of the brain, kidney failure and coma. Go to the emergency room if you notice signs of extreme dehydration in children or adults, because intravenous fluids may be necessary.
