What makes someone dehydrated

Your body needs water for every function it performs. Chronic dehydration is a condition when dehydration recurs for longer periods, sometimes regardless of how much fluid you take in on a particular day. Most people are prone to acute dehydration under certain circumstances, such as extreme heat exposure or prolonged physical activity.

Cases of typical dehydration can be resolved by resting and drinking water. But chronic dehydration passes the point of simply using more fluid than you take in. Chronic dehydration, when significant, requires prompt medical attention. When left untreated, chronic dehydration has been linked to other health conditions like high blood pressure and kidney stones. Chronic dehydration presents a bit differently. You may experience some of the above symptoms.

Other signs of chronic dehydration include:. Signs of chronic dehydration that a doctor will look for include a concentrated blood volume, abnormal electrolyte levels, and reduced kidney function over time. The causes of chronic dehydration can vary. Risk factors for developing chronic dehydration include:. Heatstroke and living in a hotter climate are often linked. Frequent diarrhea can leave you dehydrated. Certain digestive tract conditions can make you more prone to diarrhea, including:. Dehydration can occur in children.

Childhood illnesses accompanied by a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting also leave children vulnerable to dehydration. Be familiar with the warning signs of dehydration in toddlers. Both pregnancy and breastfeeding can also put you at a higher risk for dehydration. Hyperemesis gravidarum , a condition caused by pregnancy, can make it especially difficult to maintain proper hydration levels.

If your doctor suspects you have chronic dehydration, they may run several tests. A simple physical exam test to check for any kind of dehydration is called a skin turgor test.

Other testing for chronic dehydration requires lab work. These tests will indicate the extent of your dehydration. Also, having a baseline to compare subsequent labs over time can help your doctor differentiate between acute and chronic dehydration.

The body can also move water around to areas where it is needed most if dehydration begins to occur. Most occurrences of dehydration can be easily reversed by increasing fluid intake, but severe cases of dehydration require immediate medical attention.

Dehydration is easy to remedy but can be serious if left unchecked. The first symptoms of dehydration include thirst, darker urine, and decreased urine production.

However, it is important to note that, particularly in older adults, dehydration can occur without thirst.

This is why it is important to drink more water when ill, or during hotter weather. The basic causes of dehydration are not taking in enough water, losing too much water, or a combination of both. Sometimes, it is not possible to consume enough fluids because we are too busy, lack the facilities or strength to drink, or are in an area without potable water while hiking or camping, for example.

Additional causes of dehydration include:. Diarrhea — the most common cause of dehydration and related deaths. The large intestine absorbs water from food matter, and diarrhea prevents this from happening.

The body excretes too much water, leading to dehydration. Vomiting — leads to a loss of fluids and makes it difficult to replace water by drinking it. Hot and humid weather and vigorous physical activity can further increase fluid loss from sweating. Similarly, a fever can cause an increase in sweating and may dehydrate the patient, especially if there is also diarrhea and vomiting.

Diabetes — high blood sugar levels cause increased urination and fluid loss. Tips for handling summer heat for people with diabetes. Frequent urination — usually caused by uncontrolled diabetes , but also can be due to alcohol and medications such as diuretics, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antipsychotics.

Burns — blood vessels can become damaged, causing fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues. Although dehydration can happen to anyone, some people are at a greater risk. Those at most risk include:. Older adults commonly become dehydrated. Dehydration in older adults is also common; sometimes this occurs because they drink less water so that they do not need to get up for the toilet as often.

There are also changes in the brain meaning that thirst does not always occur. Low blood volume — less blood produces a drop in blood pressure and a reduction in the amount of oxygen reaching tissues; this can be life threatening. These are powders that you mix with water and then drink. It's quite common for young children to become dehydrated. It can be serious if it's not dealt with quickly.

Once the dehydration has been treated, your child will need to maintain their fluid levels. Page last reviewed: 09 August Next review due: 09 August Important Babies, children and the elderly are more at risk of dehydration.

Video: how to prevent dehydration This video shows you how you can reduce the risk of dehydration.