• Nutrition

Am I Dehydrated? The Signs and Symptoms You Need to Know About

Medically reviewed and edited by Dina Whiteaker, APRN

If you’re feeling extra thirsty, urinating less often, and getting headaches, you may be dehydrated.

While mild to moderate dehydration can be treated at home by increasing fluid intake and resting more, severe dehydration can cause serious complications. These complications include kidney problems, seizures, and even coma.

If you suspect that you are dehydrated, it’s important to take action to treat this condition right away and avoid more serious side effects. 

In this article, we will discuss the symptoms of mild, moderate, and severe dehydration so you know what to look out for. We’ll also share different treatments for dehydration.

What Causes Dehydration?

Before we cover the symptoms of dehydration, let’s look at what causes this health problem:

• Inadequate fluid intake: Not drinking enough water or other fluids throughout the day can lead to dehydration. Women should drink at least eight cups and men should drink around 10 cups of water a day to stay hydrated.

• Excessive sweating: Intense physical activity, especially in hot conditions, can lead to fluid loss through sweat. This is especially true if you’re not consuming fluids during prolonged physical activity.

• Illness: Conditions like fever, severe diarrhea, and vomiting may cause rapid fluid loss. Even having a cold or sore throat can lead to dehydration, as you may not feel like eating or drinking when you’re sick.

• Chronic conditions: Diseases such as diabetes can lead to dehydration, particularly if your blood sugar levels are not well controlled.

• Heat exposure: Extended exposure to heat or sun without adequate fluid intake can cause dehydration due to excessive sweating.

• Alcohol consumption: Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine output. This can contribute to dehydration.

Mild to Moderate Dehydration Symptoms

Mild to moderate dehydration doesn’t typically require urgent medical treatment. However, you should understand the symptoms to prevent severe dehydration. 

The symptoms of mild dehydration include: 

Dry mouth and throat

Saliva is produced by glands in the mouth. When the body is properly hydrated, these glands produce saliva continuously to keep your mouth moist.

When you don’t have enough fluids in your body, it prioritizes the distribution of available water to vital organs and systems, including the brain and the heart.

Nonessential functions, like saliva production, are reduced to conserve the amount of water in the body.

Increased thirst

There are special receptors in the brain called osmoreceptors that detect changes in the concentration of solutes like sodium in the blood. 

When the body is dehydrated, the concentration of these solutes increases, and the brain triggers the sensation of thirst.

This is a signal to the body that it needs to consume more fluids to dilute the solutes and restore balance. 

When fluids are consumed, they’re absorbed into the bloodstream, which dilutes the solutes and rehydrates the body’s cells. This helps restore the imbalance detected by the brain, reducing the feeling of thirst.

Reduced urination

When the osmoreceptors in the brain detect increased solute concentration, they trigger the release of an antidiuretic hormone (ADH) — known as vasopressin.

With increased levels of ADH, your kidneys reabsorb more water, which leads to a decrease in the volume of urine produced. This is done to help conserve water in the body when it is dehydrated.

Dry or cold skin

Skin cells require water to function properly and maintain their structure. Without adequate hydration, they become less elastic, causing dry skin. 

Sweat also helps moisten the skin. With reduced sweat production due to dehydration, the skin may become drier.

Dehydration can cause decreased blood volume, leading to lower blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the skin. This reduced circulation can make the skin feel cooler.

Headache

As mentioned above, dehydration reduces the overall volume of blood in the body, which can decrease blood flow in the brain. This can lead to the brain receiving less oxygen and nutrients, contributing to headaches.

Often, dehydration leads to electrolyte imbalances in the body, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. 

These electrolytes are essential for proper nerve function. Imbalances in electrolytes may disrupt normal nerve function and cause headaches.

Dizziness or lightheadedness

A reduced blood volume can lead to a drop in blood pressure, which can result in dizziness. 

With lower blood pressure and volume, the brain receives less oxygen and essential nutrients. This can affect brain function and can make you feel lightheaded.

Your body temperature increases when you are dehydrated, which can also cause feelings of dizziness and fatigue.

Decreased sweating

When the body is dehydrated, it prioritizes the use of available water for vital organs and functions. 

Sweating is a mechanism for regulating body temperature, but it requires a significant amount of water. To conserve water during dehydration, the body reduces sweat production.

Muscle cramps

Electrolytes are essential for normal muscle function. Dehydration often leads to an imbalance of these electrolytes, which can disrupt muscle functioning and lead to cramps. This can happen even if you’re not engaging in physical activity.

The decrease in blood volume in the body means that there is less blood flow to the muscles, reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients. This may cause muscle fatigue and cramps.

Constipation

One way that the body prioritizes water conservation during dehydration is to increase the reabsorption of water in the colon.

When your body is hydrated, the colon absorbs enough water to form stools that are soft and easy to pass. When you’re dehydrated, the body signals the colon to absorb more water from the stool than usual, resulting in drier stools that are harder to pass.

No wet diapers

In children and babies, a sign of dehydration includes not having any wet diapers for more than three hours. 

As mentioned earlier, decreased urine production is a symptom of dehydration. 

When children don’t produce urine regularly and have dry diapers, this is an indication that they may be dehydrated.

How to Treat Dehydration

To treat mild dehydration, follow these steps:

• Increase fluid intake: You can drink oral rehydration solutions or water to replenish lost fluids. You should drink eight ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes to rehydrate your body.

• Eat hydrating foods: You can consume more fluids by eating fruits and vegetables with a high water content, such as watermelon, cucumbers, oranges, and strawberries. 

• Drink electrolyte solutions: If your dehydration is due to physical exertion or illness, drinking solutions that contain electrolytes, like sports drinks, can help restore your body’s essential minerals.

• Avoid dehydrating substances: Limit alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks, as these can contribute to further dehydration.

• Take frequent sips: If consuming a large amount of fluid at once is difficult, take small sips throughout the day.

• Rest: Ensure that you rest in a cool environment to reduce the body’s need for fluids and allow for better absorption of what you consume.

• Monitor your symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms, like frequency of urination and feelings of thirst. If your symptoms don’t improve, seek medical attention. 

Symptoms of Severe Dehydration

Severe dehydration occurs when you’ve lost more than 8% of your body water compared to how much you’re consuming. The symptoms of severe dehydration include:

• Extreme thirst

• Very dry mouth and mucous membranes

• Sunken eyes

• Rapid heart rate

• Rapid breathing

• Low blood pressure

• Fever

• Confusion

• No urination

• Unconsciousness

The Complications of Severe Dehydration

Severe dehydration can cause several health complications, including:

Urinary and kidney problems

Prolonged dehydration for more than 24 hours can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, kidney disease, and even kidney failure.

Seizures

The electrolyte imbalances caused by dehydration can lead to involuntary muscle contractions that can result in seizures and even loss of consciousness. 

Hypovolemic shock

This is a severe drop in blood volume that can lead to a decrease in blood pressure and a reduction in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues. This condition can be fatal and requires emergency medical attention.

Cardiovascular problems

Severe dehydration can place strain on the heart, leading to an irregular heartbeat and an increased risk of cardiovascular issues.

Organ damage

The reduced blood volume and blood flow to the organs can impair their function and potentially damage them permanently.

Coma

In extreme cases of dehydration that lasts for more than 24 hours, the body may shut down, leading to a coma if not promptly treated.

Medical Treatment for Dehydration

Severe dehydration often requires hospitalization. Some treatments for dehydration include:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids: In cases where oral intake of fluids isn’t sufficient, you may receive IV fluids to restore your fluid and electrolyte balance rapidly. 

• Medications: You may receive prescription medications to address any underlying causes of dehydration, like antidiarrheals for severe diarrhea.

• Monitoring and supportive care: Continuous monitoring of your vital signs, urine output, and electrolyte levels may be necessary. Supportive care may include treating any underlying conditions and symptoms associated with dehydration.

Where Can I Learn More About Dehydration?

At LifeMD, you can consult a team of board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners online from the comfort of your own home.

Licensed healthcare professionals can provide you with guidance and advice on how to avoid dehydration and maintain your overall health.

Book your online consultation, today.

Dina Whiteaker, APRN

Dina earned her MSN from the University of Nebraska Medical Center before becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has 10ᐩ years of telemedicine experience. Dina is board certified and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Talk To A Doctor

How does LifeMD work?

LifeMD makes it easy to stay on top of your health because talking to a doctor, filling your prescriptions, getting your labs done—and more—are all easy and cost-effective. Come discover a healthcare solution built around you and your life.

Connect with a doctor now!

Join Now

Text

Call