Dehydration Information, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Causes of Dehydration

Dehydration is caused by a variety of reasons. Some causes include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, excessive sweating, or overeating. However, the most common cause is simply lack of fluid intake. Because thirst is not always a symptom of dehydration, it's vital to drink plenty of fluids when out in the wilderness, whether you're thirsty or not.

Dehydration is most often caused by a viral infection that causes fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and a decreased ability to drink or eat.

Common viral infections causing vomiting and diarrhea include rotavirus, Norwalk virus, and adenovirus.

Sometimes sores in a child's mouth (caused by a virus) make it painful to eat or drink, which helps to cause or worsen dehydration.

Dehydration signs and symptoms include,

Headache or nausea

Decreased blood pressure

Dizziness or fainting

Loss of appetite, dry mouth and dry skin

Reduced amount of urine production that is usually dark yellow. In severe condition there may be no urine output at all.

The most important symptom of dehydration is increased thirst. Depending upon other symptoms, a person can have mild, moderate, or severe dehydration.

Mild dehydration: Symptoms of this type of dehydration are increased thirst, a dry mouth, alertness or restlessness, a normal urine output.

Moderate dehydration: Symptoms of this type of dehydration are increased thirst, a dry mouth, drowsy or irritable, with or without a reduced urine output. The pulse may beat fast and breathing may be deep.

An increase in thirst is one of the first symptoms of dehydration. When the body doesn't receive the amount of water it is losing, dehydration increases causing a decrease in urine production and perspiration. Water that is stored in cells begins to move into the bloodstream, and unless a sufficient amount of water is consumed, tissues, especially brain cells, lose moisture and breakdown. When this occurs, the person experiences severe confusion, which could lead to coma.

Treatment of Dehydration

Drinking fluids is usually sufficient for mild dehydration. It is better to have frequent, small amounts of fluid (using a teaspoon or syringe for an infant or child) rather than trying to force large amounts of fluid at one time. Drinking too much fluid at once can bring on more vomiting.

Electrolyte solutions or freezer pops are especially effective. These are available at pharmacies. Sport drinks contain a lot of sugar and can cause or worsen diarrhea. In infants and children, avoid using water as the primary replacement fluid.

For mild dehydration, drinking plain water may be all you need. However, if both water and electrolyte losses have occurred, electrolytes (especially sodium and potassium) should also be replaced. There are a number of flavoured commercial drinks that have been formulated to replace the salts (electrolytes) lost during vigorous exercise. These drinks can be used to prevent dehydration or to treat mild dehydration. Just drinking plenty of fluids and consuming a little additional salt during or after exercise will also work. If you have heart or kidney problems, consult your doctor about safely replacing fluids before exercising.