Dehydration is a condition that can occur when the loss of body fluids, mostly water, exceeds the amount that is taken in. With dehydration, more water is moving out of individual cells and then out of the body than the amount of water that is taken in through drinking. Medically, dehydration usually means a person has lost enough fluid so that the body begins to lose its ability to function normally and then begins to produce symptoms related to the fluid loss. Although infants and children are at highest risk for dehydration, many adults and especially the elderly have significant risk factors.
Please drink lots of water!
Signs and symptoms of Dehydration: Dehydration is a very serious event! It is summertime in our area and it is very dry, the fastest way to tell if you are getting dehydrated is to note your urine output, is it dark in color? You need to drink more water! Many medications and illnesses can complicate dehydration and affect your urine output. Most people should urinate between six and eight times a day. But if you’re drinking plenty, it’s not abnormal to go as many as 10 times a day. You may also urinate more often if you’re taking certain medications, like diuretics for high blood pressure. Many medications can increase dehydration so drinking more water is very important.
Other signs that you may be dehydrated:
- Headache
- Increased thirst.
- Dry mouth, chapped/cracked lips.
- Tired, sleepy, low energy, fatigue, loss of strength.
- Decreased urine output.
- Urine is low in volume and more yellowish or darker than normal.
- Hot and or dry skin.
- Muscle cramps, weakness.
- Dizziness
