What is dehydration & what are its causes?

Dehydration occurs when there is too much water lost, failing to intake enough water as it requires or a combination of both. Without getting enough water, your body can’t function suitably. You may face mild, moderate, or severe dehydration depending on how much fluid is missing from your body.

Causes of dehydration

The immediate causes of dehydration include not getting enough water, too much water loss from the body, or sometimes a combination of both.

Many a time it becomes impossible to drink enough water since we are too busy, lack the facilities or strength to drink, or are in an area without access to drinking water (hiking or camping). Other causes of dehydration are:

•    Diarrhea – It is the most common cause of dehydration-related deaths. The large intestine absorbs water from the food matter, and diarrhea stops this function, this leads to dehydration.

•    Vomiting – It also leads to loss of fluids in the body and makes it impossible to restore water by drinking it.

•    Sweating – The process of body cooling brings out a significant amount of water. Hot and humid weather and vigorous physical activity can further lead to the fluid loss in the form of sweat.

•    Diabetes - High blood sugar levels cause urination, i.e. fluid loss.

•    Uncontrolled diabetes causes frequent urination; other causes includes alcohol and medications such as blood pressure medications, diuretics, anti-psychotics, and. Antihistamines.

•    Burns – The water seeps into the damaged skin, and the body fluid is lost.

Sign & Symptoms of dehydration in adults and young children

Mild or moderate symptoms of dehydration include:

•        Thirst

•        Dry or sticky mouth

•        Not peeing very much

•        Dark yellow pee

•        Dry, cool skin

•        Headache

•        Muscle cramps

Other severe symptoms of dehydration include:

•        Not peeing or having very dark yellow pee

•        Very dry skin

•        Feeling dizzy

•        Rapid heartbeat

•        Rapid breathing

•        Sunken eyes

•        Sleepiness, lack of energy, confusion or irritability

•        Fainting

Symptoms of dehydration in babies and young children

•        No tears when crying

•        Dry mouth and tongue

•        Dry diapers for 3 hours

•        Sunken eyes, cheeks, soft spot on the top of the skull

•        Sleepiness, lack of energy, or irritability

The cause of severe dehydration may require medical emergency and needs to be treated immediately to avoid any serious complications.