Dehydration

Key Points

Overview

Dehydration happens when your body loses more fluids than you consume. This imbalance can quickly become a serious problem if not addressed promptly, affecting various bodily functions and overall health. It can be caused by factors such as illness (vomiting or diarrhea), prolonged exposure to heat, intense physical activity, fever, or certain medications. People who rely on others for drinks, like young children or some older adults, are also at increased risk. Treating dehydration typically involves drinking fluids, often starting with small sips if you feel unwell. Oral rehydration solutions, available from a pharmacist, can help replace lost sugars, salts, and minerals, especially after vomiting or diarrhea. Severe cases require urgent medical attention.

Signs and Symptoms

• Feeling thirsty
• Headache and light-headedness
• Dark yellow, strong-smelling urine
• Peeing less often than usual
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Feeling tired
• Dry mouth, lips, and tongue
• Sunken eyes
• Sunken soft spot on a baby's head
• Few or no tears when a baby cries
• Fewer wet nappies than usual for a baby
• Drowsiness or irritability in a baby

Things That Increase the Risk

• Having diabetes
• Experiencing vomiting or diarrhea
• Prolonged exposure to sun or hot environments (heatstroke)
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Sweating heavily after exercise
• Having a high temperature (fever)
• Taking diuretic medications (increase urination)
• Relying on others to provide drinks

Diagnosis

• Assessment of reported symptoms
• Physical examination for signs like dry mouth or sunken eyes
• Review of medical history and recent activities

Treatment & Management

• Drink plenty of fluids, starting with small sips
• Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol
• Use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) to replace salts and minerals
• Continue breastfeeding or formula for babies, offering small amounts more often
• Give small sips of water to formula-fed or solid-fed babies (boiled and cooled if under 6 months)
• Maintain a child's usual diet
• Seek urgent GP advice or call NHS 111 for serious symptoms
• Call 999 or go to A&E for signs of shock (e.g., blue skin, confusion, difficulty breathing)

Prevention

• Drink fluids regularly throughout the day
• Aim for pale-colored urine as an indicator of adequate hydration
• Increase fluid intake during illness (vomiting, diarrhea)
• Drink more fluids in hot weather or during exercise
• Ensure children under 5 and older adults get plenty of fluids
• Offer drinks at mealtimes and make drinking a social activity for others
• Provide foods with high water content (soup, ice cream, melon)
• Ensure constant access to fluids for those who rely on assistance

Related Diseases

• Heatstroke
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Electrolyte Imbalance
• Acute Kidney Injury

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Dehydration: