Dehydration occurs when your body loses too much water. When you stop
drinking water or lose large amounts of fluids because of diarrhea, vomiting,
or sweating, your body reabsorbs fluid from the blood and body tissues.
When you have a sore throat it may be difficult to drink enough
fluids, which can lead to dehydration. Babies and older adults are more likely
than older children and young adults to become dehydrated.
Signs of mild dehydration include:
- Increased thirst.
- Dry mouth and
sticky saliva.
- Reduced urination and dark yellow urine.
Signs of moderate dehydration include:
- Extreme thirst.
- Dry appearance inside
the mouth and eyes don't tear.
- Decreased urination, or half the
normal number in 24 hours (usually, urinating 3 or fewer times). Urine is dark
amber or brown.
- Lightheadedness that is relieved by lying
down.
Severe dehydration is life-threatening.
Symptoms that require emergency care (even if only one of them is present)
include:
- Altered behavior, such as severe anxiety,
confusion, or not being able to stay awake.
- Faintness that is not
relieved by lying down, or lightheadedness that continues after standing for 2
minutes.
- Weak, rapid pulse.
- Cold, clammy skin or hot,
dry skin.
- Little or no urination.
- Loss of
consciousness.
If you have mild to moderate dehydration and are unable to drink
enough to replace lost fluids, your health professional may recommend another
method for replacement of fluids. It is important to prevent severe
dehydration, which can be a life-threatening condition.
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