Dehydration by Training PCCR

Patient information: Dehydration (The Basics)

21/12/15 14:56

Patient information: Dehydration (The Basics) Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate What is dehydration? — Dehydration is the term doctors use when the body loses too much water. Losing too much water is a problem, because our bodies need a certain amount of water to work normally. Another word your doctor might use when you lose too much water is "hypovolemia." Dehydration can be mild or severe. Mild dehydration doesn't usually cause problems. But if mild dehydration isn't treated, it can get worse. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. What causes dehydration? — Dehydration happens when your body loses more water than you take in from drinking and eating. It's normal for people to lose some water from their bodies every day, for example, in their urine and bowel movements. But some things make people lose a lot of water, including: ● Vomiting ● Diarrhea ● Sweating a lot from heavy exercise ● A high fever ● Medicines called "diuretics" or "laxatives" – Diuretics make people urinate a lot. Laxatives can cause a lot of watery bowel movements. Some things keep people from taking in enough water. For example, people might not drink or eat if they have an upset stomach or sore throat. What are the symptoms of dehydration? — People with mild dehydration might not notice any symptoms. As dehydration gets worse, it can cause symptoms such as: ● Feeling thirsty ● Urinating less often, or having dark yellow or brown urine ● A dry mouth or cracked lips ● No tears when a child cries ● Feeling tired or confused ● Feeling dizzy or light-headed ● Eyes that look sunken in the face ● A "sunken fontanel" (in babies) – A fontanel is a gap between the bones in a baby's skull. When babies are dehydrated, the fontanel on the top of their head can look or feel caved in. Severe dehydration can make people stop breathing normally or go into a coma. Should I call a doctor or nurse? — Call the doctor or nurse if you or your child has any symptoms of dehydration. You should also call if you or your child: ● Has diarrhea that lasts more than a few days ● Has vomiting that lasts more than one day ● Can't keep any fluids down http://www.uptodate.com/contents/dehydration-the-basics?topicKe…dehydration&selectedTitle=1%7E150&view=print&displayedView=full

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Patient information: Dehydration (The Basics)

21/12/15 14:56

● Vomits blood or has bloody diarrhea ● Is urinating much more than usual ● Hasn't had anything to drink in many hours ● Hasn't needed to urinate in the past 6 to 8 hours (in adults and older children), or if your baby or young child hasn't had a wet diaper for 4 to 6 hours Is there a test for dehydration? — Yes. Doctors can do blood and urine tests to check for dehydration and see how severe it is. Your doctor might also do tests to look for the cause of the dehydration. How is dehydration treated? — Dehydration is treated with fluids. People with severe dehydration usually need to be treated in the hospital. Treatment involves getting fluids through an "IV," which is a thin tube that goes into the vein. People with mild dehydration can usually treat it on their own by drinking fluids. You'll know that the treatment is working when: ● You urinate more often and your urine looks pale yellow or clear. ● Your baby has more wet diapers. Some fluids help treat dehydration better than water, because they give the body the right amount of water and salts. People should use the following fluids to treat dehydration: ● Older children and adults can use sports drinks. ● You should give your baby or young child an "oral rehydration solution," such as Pedialyte. You can buy this in a store or pharmacy. Try to give your child a few teaspoons of fluid every few minutes. If your baby won't drink it from a bottle or cup, you can feed him or her with a spoon or syringe. ● Babies who breastfeed should continue to breastfeed. Can dehydration be prevented? — Yes. To help prevent dehydration, you can: ● Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you are sick and have a fever. ● Give your baby or young child an oral rehydration solution as soon as he or she starts vomiting or having diarrhea. ● Drink extra fluids when you exercise or when it's hot out. More on this topic Patient information: Viral gastroenteritis (The Basics) Patient information: Diarrhea in adults (The Basics) Patient information: Diarrhea in children (The Basics) Patient information: Nausea and vomiting in adults (The Basics) Patient information: Heat stroke (The Basics) Patient information: Rotavirus infection (The Basics) Patient information: Acute diarrhea in adults (Beyond the Basics) Patient information: Acute diarrhea in children (Beyond the Basics) Patient information: Nausea and vomiting in infants and children (Beyond the Basics) All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Dec 21, 2015. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/dehydration-the-basics?topicKe…dehydration&selectedTitle=1%7E150&view=print&displayedView=full

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Patient information: Dehydration (The Basics)

21/12/15 14:56

The content on the UpToDate website is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified health care professional regarding any medical questions or conditions. The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. ©2015 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. Topic 16940 Version 4.0

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