Do you wait until you’re thirsty to drink water? Then chances are, you might already be dehydrated. Dehydration happens when your body doesn’t have enough water to carry out its normal functions. When it becomes frequent, it can raise the risk of infections and even put strain on your kidneys. While dehydration is harmful for anyone, it can be especially risky for children and older adults, often leading to serious complications if ignored.

So if you’ve been brushing off the dehydration symptoms like a dry mouth or a parched throat, this blog is for you. We’ll walk you through the key signs to watch out for, its common causes, and simple ways to stay hydrated.

Let’s dive in.

What Is Dehydration?

Dehydration occurs when water loss from your body exceeds the water intake. Dehydration commonly results from not drinking enough fluids, particularly during hot weather.

Dehydration usually happens in kids after vomiting or diarrhoea. In older adults, it can occur due to lower body water content and the use of certain medications, like diuretics (water pills).

When you get dehydrated, your body sends signals of feeling thirsty to your brain. You must notice this immediately and reach out for a glass of water. But tracing dehydration isn’t always easy. These signs can sometimes go missed, for example, in a baby who can’t speak up or an elderly person who’s ignorant or forgetful. So, besides drinking enough water, it’s also important to ensure that our near and dear ones are well hydrated.

While mild dehydration can be treated by drinking water, a more severe type of dehydration may require medical intervention. Let’s read more about it in the next section.

Levels Of Dehydration

Based on severity, dehydration may be classified as mild, moderate or severe.

Mild Dehydration (3–5% Water Loss)

If you have mild dehydration, simply drinking more fluids should do the job. If dehydration has happened due to severe vomiting, diarrhoea or sweating, you can also drink electrolytes. You’d likely feel better within 5–10 minutes.

Moderate Dehydration (6–9% Water Loss)

For moderate dehydration, you’ll need intravenous fluids to fulfil your hydration needs. You might have to visit a clinic or a hospital for the same.

Severe Dehydration (>10% Water Loss)

This is a medical emergency which needs immediate medical attention.

Common Dehydration Symptoms

The signs of dehydration may vary between children and adults. Common signs of dehydration in babies include :

• Dry mouth (lips, tongue)
• No tears when crying
• Fewer than six wet diapers per day (for infants), and no wet diapers or urination for eight hours (in toddlers).
• Sunken soft spot on your infant’s head.
• Sunken eyes
• Dry skin with wrinkles
• Breathing changes (deep, rapid)
• Cool, blotchy hands and feet.

Dehydration symptoms in adults may include:

• Headache, delirium and confusion
• Fatigue
• Dizziness, weakness and lightheadedness
• Dry mouth
• Dry cough
• High heart rate but low blood pressure.
• Loss of appetite, but possible sugar craving
• Flushed skin
• Swollen feet
• Muscle cramps
• Chills
• Heat intolerance
• Constipation
• Dark-colored urine

Causes Of Dehydration

There are several causes of dehydration, which include:

Insufficient Water Intake

Not drinking enough water can be one of the main reasons your body gets dehydrated. An average healthy person needs about 4–6 cups of water daily. However, this amount differs depending on their activity level, health status and the weather conditions in which they live.

Diarrhoea

Severe diarrhoea accompanied by vomiting causes excessive fluid loss from the body. This creates a water and electrolyte imbalance, which must be corrected immediately. Small children are especially prone to dehydration resulting from vomiting and diarrhoea. If this happens, they must be given water to drink along with an oral rehydration solution, which replenishes the lost minerals.

Fever

Fever causes an increase in body temperature, which results in dehydration. The higher the fever, the worse the dehydration. Even mild illnesses like a cold or flu can cause dehydration as they lower appetite and reduce interest in eating and drinking.

Sweating

Sweating is your body’s way to release heat and cool down. It usually happens during hot weather or intense exercise. During exercise, your muscles heat up. And this heat is released through sweating. While essential, excessive sweating can cause dehydration and water imbalance in your body.

Medication

Certain medications, such as diuretics or blood pressure medications, which make you pee more often, can also cause dehydration.

Diabetes

Uncontrolled or unmanaged diabetes can also lead to dehydration. When your blood sugar levels become elevated, the kidneys work extra hard to expel the extra sugar along with water. This causes frequent urination, which ultimately leads to dehydration.

Risks Associated With Dehydration

Infants and younger kids are more likely to be affected by diarrhoea and vomiting. This also increases their vulnerability to dehydration. They are also more likely to get a high fever, which dehydrates them. The worst part is: they are either too young to ask for water when thirsty or too ignorant to remember drinking enough water.

In older adults, the body’s ability to retain water decreases. And they don’t even feel as thirsty. This can cause dehydration. Often, they are not able to fetch water, which further reduces their water intake. Moreover, many of them take diabetes and other medications, which make dehydration worse.

How To Prevent Dehydration?

Here are a few simple ways to prevent dehydration :

Track Your Fluid Intake

Make it a habit to track how much water you drink daily. Using a water bottle with measurements or hydration apps can help. Aim for at least 8–10 glasses a day, adjusting for heat, activity level, and health conditions.

Avoid Soda, Alcohol And Caffeinated Drinks

These beverages can act as diuretics, increasing fluid loss from the body. So, try to prioritise water, herbal teas, and electrolyte-rich drinks to maintain proper hydration without the ill effects.

Monitor Your Pee

Your urine is a great hydration indicator. Pale yellow usually means you’re well-hydrated, while having dark yellow or amber coloured urine is a dehydration symptom. If you’re peeing infrequently or your urine is dark, it’s time to drink more fluids throughout the day.

Summing Up

Dehydration isn’t always easy to spot, especially in babies, children, and older adults. That’s why it’s so important to make sure everyone in the family is drinking enough water to stay healthy and avoid complications.

But staying hydrated is just one part of the picture. It’s also important to keep an eye on other key health markers like vitamin levels, electrolytes, and how well your kidneys and heart are functioning.

And a great way to do so is via Ayushman Wellness full body check-up panel that includes 88 blood and urine tests and gives accurate, reliable results within 48 hours.

FAQs

Which Is The Best Drink For Dehydration?

Plain water is the most effective drink for dehydration.

How To Check Dehydration?

You can check for dehydration by observing signs like dry mouth, dark yellow urine, dizziness, fatigue, or reduced urination. In babies, look for fewer wet diapers and sunken soft spots.

Can Dehydration Affect Kidneys?

Yes, dehydration can strain your kidneys and may lead to kidney stones or even long-term damage if dehydration is severe or frequent.

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