This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Dehydration can be a very dangerous condition if left untreated. It is important to recognize dehydration as soon as possible and begin replenishing lost fluids. Things like thirst, changes in vision, and physical pain can indicate severe dehydration. If you are severely dehydrated, to the point you're experiencing things like a rapid heartbeat, see a doctor right away. In the future, change your habits to prevent dehydration.
Steps
Recognizing the Symptoms
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1Pay attention to thirst. Mild dehydration can be marked by feeling slightly thirsty. If dehydration is becoming a problem, you may experience extreme thirst. This can often cause related symptoms such as a dry mouth or a dry tongue.[1]
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2Monitor your urine color. Check the toilet bowl after you pee. Your urine color can be an indication of health. Urine should be pale, straw-colored, or light yellow. Darker urine may indicate dehydration.[2]
- Urine that's somewhat dark yellow indicates you're mildly dehydrated and should drink some water soon.
- When urine becomes amber-colored or brown, this can indicate severe dehydration. You need to start drinking water right away and contact a doctor if the problem persists.
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3Tune in to your emotions. Dehydration can cause changes in mood. You may feel confused, frustrated, or angry. If you notice that your mood seems off, then this could indicate dehydration if you also notice physical symptoms.[3]
- You may notice you're irritable and struggling to concentrate on daily tasks if you're dehydrated. You also may be quick to anger.
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4Note changes in vision. If your vision is becoming blurry, this can be a sign of dehydration. Your eyes will also begin to feel dry, which can lead to pain or irritation in the eyes.[4]
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5Check for loose skin turgor in elderly people. If you’re older, it can be harder to tell if you’re feeling dehydrated. Pinch the skin on your arm or back of your hand and hold it up for a few seconds. When you let go, your skin should go back to its original position. If it stays raised for a few seconds, then you should drink some water.[5]
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6Pay attention to any pain. Since your body requires water to function properly, dehydration can cause a variety of aches and pains. Headaches and muscle cramps are common symptoms of dehydration.[6]
- Headaches may also cause confusion and lightheadedness.
- Muscle cramps may occur before or after exercising if you did not drink enough water to prevent dehydration.
Seeking Medical Care
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1Go to the emergency room if you experience severe dehydration. Mild dehydration can be treated at home. However, if you notice symptoms of severe dehydration, this can be dangerous and you’ll need IV fluid to get rehydrated. Seek immediate help if you notice any of the following:[7]
- Lethargy or fatigue
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Not passing urine for eight hours
- A weak or rapid pulse
- Decreased skin turgor
- Bloody or black stool
- Diarrhea for more than 24 hours
- You are unable to keep fluids down
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2Undergo tests if necessary. Your doctor will want to run a few routine tests if your dehydration is severe. These tests can help identify potential underlying causes of dehydration. They can also help your doctor figure out the right treatment options for you.[8]
- Dehydration can be related to electrolyte imbalances, diabetes, or kidney problems. Your doctor may want to run a blood test to check for these conditions. Determining an underlying cause for your dehydration will influence treatment.
- Your doctor may want to determine the level of your dehydration to recommend the right treatment option. In this case, you may need to provide a urine sample for urinalysis.
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3Talk to your doctor about how to replenish lost fluids. The only way to treat dehydration is to replace lost fluids. For most healthy adults, this means drinking water. Children or infants may need special solutions made from water and salt to replace lost fluids.[9]
- Your doctor may recommend you not drink soft drinks or fruit juices if you're dehydrated. Depending on things like your electrolyte levels, they may recommend sports drinks containing electrolytes.
- Severe dehydration may be treated with intravenous fluids.
Preventing a Reoccurrence
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1Hydrate before and during exercise. Dehydration is often caused by excessive sweating during exercise. You should work on hydrating before you engage in a heavy workout. It's best to start hydrating the day before. Drink extra water if you know you'll be doing something like running a marathon the next day.[10]
- Drink water until your urine is clear or pale yellow.
- While you exercise, carry a water bottle. Make sure to take sips of water on occasion while you're working out to replenish the fluids lost through sweat.
- If you’re an active person, you should have 2–3 glasses of water a few hours leading up to your workout. While you’re exercising, have a glass of water every 10–15 minutes to help replenish your body. Afterward, have another 2–3 glasses.
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2Drink extra fluids when you're sick. Vomiting, diarrhea, and fever can lead to a loss of fluids. This can cause dehydration. Make an effort to drink extra fluids, especially water, when you're feeling ill.[11]
- If you have trouble keeping fluids down, you can also try eating a little Jello or sucking on a popsicle or crushed ice.
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3Up your fluid intake during hot or cold weather. When it's extremely hot or cold outside, this can cause dehydration. Make an effort to up your water intake when it's very cold or hot out. This can help prevent dehydration in the future.[12]
- Notice physical symptoms, such as dry skin or hands, during hot or cold weather. If you begin displaying symptoms of dehydration, start drinking water to replenish lost fluids.
Warnings
- Always seek urgent medical attention if severe dehydration is suspected. Take the person to a hospital without delay, or call an ambulance.⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/nutritional/dehydration/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/10/what-the-color-of-your-urine-says-about-you-infographic/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/
- ↑ https://www.nursingtimes.net/roles/older-people-nurses-roles/detecting-dehydration-in-older-people-useful-tests-03-08-2015/
- ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dehydration
- ↑ http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dehydration/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20261155
About This Article
To tell if you are dehydrated, see if you feel thirsty, which can be the first sign of mild dehydration. You can also monitor your urine color, which will be pale, straw colored, or light yellow if you're properly hydrated. If you notice darker urine, you may be dehydrated. Dehydration can also cause you to feel angry, irritable, or confused, so try drinking some water to see if it helps your mood. Other symptoms to watch for include headaches, muscle aches, or blurry vision. If you experience severe dehydration, which can cause dizziness, a weak or rapid pulse, black stool, or confusion, seek medical attention immediately. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to stay hydrated when you’re exercising, keep reading!
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Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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