Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 7/29/2022
Doctor's Notes on Dehydration in Adults
Dehydration is a state of fluid deficit, or loss, in the body that occurs whenever more fluid is lost than is taken in. Fluid can be lost from the body through bleeding, sweating, vomiting, urination, or diarrhea.
Dehydration can be caused by any illness that causes:
- diarrhea or vomiting,
- excessive sweating,
- fever, which can cause the body to lose more water than usual,
- injury that causes bleeding, or
- simply not taking in enough fluid to meet the body's demands.
Symptoms of dehydration may be mild or severe.
Symptoms associated with mild to moderate dehydration include:
- thirst,
- decreased urination,
- dry and cool skin,
- muscle cramps,
- dark urine, and
- headache.
Symptoms of severe dehydration include:
- rapid breathing,
- extremely dry skin,
- rapid heartbeat,
- sleepiness,
- confusion,
- dizziness,
- fainting,
- sunken eyes, and
- not urinating.
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency.
What Is the Treatment for Dehydration?
Treatment for dehydration involves restoring both lost fluid and electrolytes to the body. The exact treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the affected person. Treatment may include:
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Dehydration in Children
Dehydration in children can result from not drinking enough liquids, vomiting, diarrhea, or combination of these conditions. Causes of dehydration in children include viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, diabetes, and increased sweating, and others. Symptoms include sunken eyes, decrease in urination, no tears when crying, dry mouth, lethargy, and irritability. Treatment at home includes proper fluid replacement. Some cases of dehydration are so severe they may require hospitalization. -
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Diarrhea
Diarrhea is common and can be treated at home with natural remedies and over-the-counter medication. Learn about common causes, associated symptoms, and how to get rid of diarrhea. -
Electrolytes
Electrolytes (including sodium, potassium, and magnesium) are chemicals that help the cells and organs of the body function. Electrolyte imbalance can result from dehydration, kidney failure, tumors, and other causes. Some symptoms of sodium imbalance include lethargy, confusion, weakness, swelling, seizures, and coma. -
Fainting
Fainting or syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness. Causes of fainting include vasovagal, situational, postural, cardiac, neurologic, and psychogenic. Treatment of fainting depends on the cause. -
Fever in Adults
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment of fever in adults usually involves ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin. -
Fever in Children
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Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
Gastroenteritis or stomach flu is an infection of the GI tract caused by viruses (Norovirus), bacteria, and fungi. Learn about causes, symptoms, diet, and treatment. -
Giardiasis
Giardiasis is an infection of the small bowel caused by Giardia lamblia. It is the most common intestinal parasitic disease in the U.S. Causes of giardiasis include contaminated water and food supplies, and person to person contact. Symptoms of giardiasis include diarrhea, weight loss, bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, vomiting, rash, and fever. Treatment of giardiasis is generally with antibiotics. -
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are brief, painful muscle cramps that occur can occur when a person is working or exercising in a hot environment. Heat cramp signs and symptoms include involuntary muscle spasms of the large muscles of the body with profuse sweating, the cramping muscles are those that usually have been stressed. The cause of heat cramps is not well known, however, those at risk are infants and children, the elderly, those without proper air conditioning in hot environments, alcohol use, and certain medications. Heat cramps generally do not require medical attention, however, if heat exhaustion or heat stroke is suspected, seek medical care immediately. -
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a condition in which a person's body overheats due to fatigue, exercising or working in a hot environment, or dehydration. They elderly and young children under the age of 5 are at a greater risk for developing heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion in an adults and children include clammy skin, thirst, weak and rapid pulse, vomiting or nausea, headache, sweating heavily, muscle cramps, and weakness. Treatment is to place the affected person in a cool place, try to hydrate the individual, and cool their body with a cool mist of water, or cool (not cold) bath. Heat exhaustion can be prevented if precautions are taken. All cases of heat exhaustion should be evaluated by a medical professional. -
Heat Rash
Heat rash (prickly heat, miliaria) is thought to be due to plugged hair follicles and sweat ducts on the skin. Overexposure to a hot environment, for example, working or exercising in a hot environment, are causes heat rash. There are three types of heat rash, clear, red, and deep.Signs and symptoms of heat rash include itching (prickly heat), red bumps, blisters, or large welts on the face, neck back, stomach, buttocks, groin, or the fold under the breasts. Home remedies for heat rash include first aid, cool baths or showers, and avoiding skin-to-skin contact. OTC and prescription medications may be necessary for treatment. People at risk for heat rash include infants, children younger than four years of age, and people with congenital decreased sweating, are overweight or obese, are bedridden and unable to walk, and the elderly. -
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Heat stroke is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures while working, exercising, doing strenuous or non-strenuous activity, and certain medications. Symptoms of heat stroke include muscle cramps, profuse sweating, rapid pulse and breathing, dizziness, and headache. If heat stroke is not treated emergently, the prognosis is poor. -
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the normal body temperature of 95 F (35 C) or lower. Causes of hypothermia include exposure to a very cold or frigid environment (primary hypothermia), or when the body's temperature is altered by disease (secondary hypothermia). Treatment of hypothermia depends on the length of exposure. -
Mask Squeeze
Mask squeeze is a feeling that occurs when scuba diving as a result of failing to equalize the pressure inside the diving mask. Mask squeeze symptoms include facial bruising and redness, facial pressure, nosebleed, red eyes or face, and changes in vision (rare). -
Sunburn (Sun Poisoning)
Sunburn is a burn on the skin caused by UV radiation. Mild sunburn symptoms include skin redness and pain. Severe cases of sunburn (sun poisoning) are complicated by skin burning and blistering, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and possibly infection. A sun rash is caused by a condition referred to as polymorphous light eruption (PMLE). Home remedies for sunburn include over-the-counter pain medicine, aloe vera gels and lotions, and cool tepid baths. Severe sunburn may need medical treatment. Prevention of sunburn include staying out of the sun during the peak hours of the day, wearing sunscreen often and reapply often, and wear protective clothing shielding the exposed body from the sun. -
Traveler's Diarrhea
Causes of traveler's diarrhea include bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Traveler's diarrhea is contagious, with symptoms including loose or watery stools, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, and bloody stools. Treatment for traveler's diarrhea is generally with OTC medication. -
Vomiting and Nausea
The many causes of vomiting and nausea include food poisoning, viruses, vertigo, head injuries, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, migraine, brain tumors, and infections. Learn about home remedies and treatment. -
What Are the Side Effects of Dehydration?
Dehydration can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Mild dehydration might not always cause side effects or symptoms. Side effects and symptoms of dehydration include headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, decreased urination, dark yellow/amber/brown-colored urine, decreased skin elasticity, dry mouth and mucous membranes (lips, gums, nostrils), low blood pressure (hypotension), thirst, confusion, lack of tears when crying, eyes that look sunken in the face, “sunken fontanel” in babies, abnormal breathing (severe cases), and coma (severe cases). -
What Is the Best Way to Cure Dehydration?
The fastest way to cure dehydration is fluid intake. Mild dehydration can be treated at home by drinking fluids such as water (the best fluid choice), sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte, juices diluted with water, decaffeinated tea, milk, breast milk for babies, soups, Jell-O, and ice cream.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.