Everyone knows that to stay healthy and feel good, you need to keep your body properly hydrated. When your body is not provided with enough fluids it will not work properly. Dehydration occurs when you are losing more fluids than you are taking in. A common cause of dehydration occurs when it is hot outside and you sweat a lot. Another frequent cause is when you have an illness with symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting.
Take These Signs of Dehydration Seriously
Typically, you can treat mild dehydration at home simply by drinking more fluids. However, if you have a moderate case, you may need to receive IV fluids at a hospital. A severe case of dehydration is considered a medical emergency, and can be fatal if not treated as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Dehydration
There are several common causes of dehydration. Some of these include:
- Sweating too much
- Not drinking enough
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Alcohol poisoning
Common Symptoms of Dehydration
Dehydration can be dangerous. Because this can happen quickly, it is important to know the symptoms and signs of dehydration. An individual’s age and the severity of fluid loss can also impact the symptoms they experience.
In young children, some of the signs of dehydration include:
- Crying and not producing tears
- Dry mouth
- Dry diaper for more than three hours
- Sunken eyes
- High fever
- Being unusually sleepy or drowsy
In adults, some signs of mild or moderate dehydration include:
- Being thirsty
- Dry mouth
- Dry skin
- Urine that is dark yellow in color
- Not urinating very much
- Muscle cramps
- Headache
Signs of moderate or severe dehydration should not be ignored. Above all, medical attention should be sought if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Listlessness
- Delirium
- Fainting
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of dehydration, here are a few things that you can do at home to help alleviate them.
- Slowly drink water or suck on ice cubes or popsicles.
- Drink a sports drink (like Gatorade) that contains electrolytes.
- Do not drink any type of caffeinated drinks.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of moderate or severe dehydration, make sure that you seek medical attention right away. Severe dehydration, if left untreated, can cause permanent brain damage, seizures, and possibly death.
Our Urgent Care Walk-In Clinics in Omaha, Bennington, West Omaha, Rockbrook, Crossroads & Bellevue, NE
Our staff works to provide prompt, personal, and professional care for all of our patients. We strive to provide the attention patients need in as quick a time as possible. Urgent Care Clinics in Omaha & Bellevue, Nebraska has three locations in the Omaha metropolitan area. Our three walk-in clinics are:
- Rockbrook Urgent Care
- Crossroads Urgent Care
- Bellevue Urgent Care
- West Omaha Urgent Care
- Bennington Urgent Care
Disclaimer
The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes as well as to provide general information and general understanding of the pertinent medical issue only, not to provide a specific diagnosis. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. By using this blog/web site you understand there is no doctor patient relationship between you and the blog/web site publisher. The information included on this site should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional in your state. Neither Urgent Care Network, its subsidiaries, affiliates, assignees or successors in interest, nor any other party assume liability for loss or damage due to reliance on content of this blog/web site. If you are experiencing a severe medical issue, you should seek emergency assistance immediately.
