Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration - (Mild, Moderate and Severe)

Dehydration occurs when water or fluids out of the body more than the incoming fluid, so that the body can not perform its functions properly. If the fluid needs are not immediately met, then the body will become dehydrated.

Dehydration is generally caused due to lack of drinking water, or when the body fluid that comes out is not immediately replaced. The weather, the level and frequency of physical activity and poor diet can also cause dehydration.

A person also can become dehydrated as a result of the disease being suffered, such as vomiting and diarrhea, sweating out while fever, and when doing activity in hot weather.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

Early signs of dehydration include:

• Feel thirsty.
• Dizziness.
• Dark yellow urine.
• Frequency of urination is reduced than usual.

To know clearly the body hydrated is to look at the color of urine: if the color is bright and clear, the body well hydrated, and if yellow - dark red then it is almost certainly a sign of dehydration.

Dehydration (mild - moderate) can cause effects and symptoms as follows:

• Dry mouth and sticky.
• Tired and sleepy.
• Thirst.
• The quantity of urine is reduced.
• Dry skin.
• Constipation.
• Headache.

In children, they usually become less active than usual when dehydrated.


Severe dehydration

If left unchecked, the body fluid deficiency, can lead to severe dehydration. Severe dehydration is an emergency medical condition, and must be given treatment.

Symptoms of severe dehydration can include:

• Very thirsty.
• Mouth, skin, and mucous membranes are very dry.
• Confusion and irritability.
• Not urinating more than 8 hours.
• Very dark-colored urine, and few in number.
• The eyes look sunken, heavy, dry and sore.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Low blood pressure.
• Low levels of awareness to a fever.

The best way to treat the dehydration is quickly replacing lost body fluids, ie with plenty of water, white water, milk, or fruit juice.

Sweet drinks can be used to replace the shortage of sugar in the body, and a snack or light meal can be used to replace body salts.

To prevent dehydration, it is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. And drinking more than usual when the activity in hot weather, after exercising or sweating, and before going to bed and after waking.