What is Dehydration? What Causes It?

Dehydration occurs when there is not enough water in your body. Without enough, your body will not be able to function properly. Depending on how much fluid is missing from your body, you may have mild, moderate or severe dehydration.

The reasons

It is normal to lose water from your body every day through sweating, breath, urination, and defecation, and tears and saliva (spitting). Often you will replace lost fluids by drinking fluids and eating watery foods. If you lose too much water or drink and do not eat enough, you can run out of water.

You may lose more water than usual:

1. fever
2. Diarrhea
3. Vomiting
4. excessive sweating

Lots of constipation (some medications, such as diabetes and water pills - also known as diuretics - can often happen to you.)

Because you cannot replace lost water:

If you are busy, forget to drink enough.

You do not know that you are thirsty.

You do not want to drink because you have a sore throat or mouth ulcers, or you have a stomach ache.

What is Dehydration? What Causes It?

Symptoms

Symptoms of mild or moderate dehydration include:

1. Thirst
2. Dry or sticky mouth
3. Do not pee too much
4. Dark yellow ***
5. Dry, cold skin
6. headache
7. muscle cramps

Symptoms of severe dehydration include:

1. No pee or very dark yellow ***
2. Very dry skin
3. I am feeling dizzy
4. fast heartbeat
5. Fast breathing
6. Eyes drowned
7. Dizziness, impotence, confusion or irritability. What is Dehydration? What Causes It?

Symptoms in infants and young children may differ from those in adults:

Dry mouth and tongue

No tears while crying

Dry diaper for 3 hours

Submerged eyes, cheeks, soft area above the skull

Dizziness, impotence or irritability

Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.