Dehydration is a very serious health problem that can affect people of all ages. Although it can affect adults, it tends to be somewhat more difficult to recognize in children. There is a common misconception that dehydration can only be experienced during the months of summer. In reality, dehydration is a problem that can occur at any time of the year. Here are some of the signs of dehydration that you should be sure to watch out for at all times.
Thirst
The most obvious sign of dehydration is thirst. Dry mouth may accompany this thirst. If you feel even the slightest bit thirsty, it is likely that the reason is because you are not taking in enough fluids. When you begin to feel overwhelming thirsty, it is especially important to drink something. Overwhelming thirst is a sign of severe dehydration, whereas minor thirst is a sign of being mildly dehydrated. Pay attention to your body’s signals. If you feel thirsty, it’s probably because you are not hydrated enough.
Tiredness
One of the most common causes of dehydration is tiredness. Tiredness is often accompanied by a headache. When the weather is hot, many people say that they get “sun headaches.” Although there is such a thing, the problem is usually that people spend time outdoors and do not drink enough fluids to keep themselves hydrated. Tiredness is known to be a very common symptom among children who are experiencing dehydration. If your child seems overly sleepy or moody, a lack of fluids may be the reason.
Decrease in Urine
Many people do not pay attention to how much they urinate. It is important to keep in mind that a decrease in urine is one of the main symptoms associated with dehydration, however. Generally, urinating every eight hours or more is a definite sign of not being hydrated. Keep in mind that urinating less often than normal is a symptom in itself though. Also keep in mind that when you do urinate, it is likely that it will be in much smaller amounts. Due to not drinking enough fluids, urine will often be a shade of darker yellow. Babies will not wet their diapers as much as they normally would when they are dehydrated.
When Signs are Serious
Some of the more serious signs to watch out for include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sunken eyes, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and fever. In cases of dehydration which are very severe, unconsciousness and delirium are also known to be symptoms. If any of these serious signs last for more than eight hours or if other symptoms last for more than three days, the best thing that you can do is plan a visit to the doctor.
These are just a few of the most common signs of dehydration. best thing that you can do to prevent dehydration is drink enough water and other fluids. Drinking eight 8 oz glasses of water daily is something that you should do all year long, not just during the months of summer.
By the time you feel thirsty you’re already dehydrated. We should try to drink water throughout the day. It really makes a difference to your health.
Comment by Clara — September 5, 2009 @ 6:14 pm