Dehydration happens when your body doesn't have as much water as it needs.

Without enough, your body can't function properly.

Mild Moderate Severe

Depending on how much fluid is missing from your body.

Signs of mild or moderate Signs of severe dehydration
dehydration include: include:
 Thirst  Not peeing or having very dark yellow
 Dry or sticky mouth pee
 Not peeing very much  Very dry skin
 Dark yellow pee  Feeling dizzy
 Dry, cool skin  Rapid heartbeat
 Headache  Rapid breathing
 Muscle cramps  Sunken eyes
 Sleepiness, lack of energy, confusion
or irritability
 Fainting
It’s normal to lose water from your
body every day by sweating,
breathing, peeing, and pooping,
and through tears and saliva(spit).

Usually you replace the lost liquid

by drinking fluids and eating foods
that contain water. If you lose too
much water or don’t drink and eat
enough, you can get dehydrated.
You can lose more water
than usual with:
 A fever
 Diarrhea
 Vomiting
 Excessive sweating
 Peeing a lot (Diabetes and
some medications like water
pills -- also called diuretics -- can
make you pee more often.)
You may not replace the
water you lose because:
 You’re busy and forget to drink
enough.
 You don’t realize you’re thirsty.
 You don’t feel like drinking because
you have a sore
throat or mouth sores, or you’re
sick to your stomach.
 There is no standard recommendation for daily
fluid intake because fluid requirements are different
for different people and vary with age, climate, and
level of physical activity. Passing urine that is light-
yellow coloured is a good sign of adequate hydration.

Also, thirst is not always a reliable early indicator of

dehydration. In some people, particularly older adults,
dehydration precedes feeling thirsty. It is important,
therefore, to increase water intake during hot weather
or when ill.
Dehydration can be prevented by:
 Drinking plenty of fluids every day, especially when the weather is hot or
when exercising
 Eating foods with high water content, eg: fruits and vegetables
 Drinking plenty of fluids, including rehydration solutions if fever,
vomiting, or diarrhoea is present. Do not wait for signs of dehydration.
 Drinking extra fluids when feeling unwell due to a short-term illness, eg:
cold, influenza, bronchitis.
 People with kidney stones should drink plenty of fluid every day to lower
the chances of developing another stone.
The only effective treatment for
dehydration is to replace lost fluids
and lost electrolytes. The best
approach to dehydration treatment
depends on age, the severity of
dehydration and its cause.

For infants and children who have

become dehydrated from diarrhea,
vomiting or fever, use an over-the-
counter oral rehydration solution.
These solutions contain water and
salts in specific proportions to
replenish both fluids and electrolytes.
Start with about a teaspoon (5
milliliters) every one to five minutes
and increase as tolerated. It may be
easier to use a syringe for very young
children. Older children can be
given diluted sports drinks. Use 1
part sports drink to 1 part water. Most adults with mild to moderate
dehydration from diarrhea, vomiting
or fever can improve their condition
by drinking more water or other
liquids. Diarrhea may be worsened
by full-strength fruit juice and soft
drinks.
If you work or exercise outdoors during hot
or humid weather, cool water is your best
bet. Sports drinks containing electrolytes
and a carbohydrate solution also may be
helpful.

Children and adults who are severely

dehydrated should be treated by
emergency personnel arriving in an
ambulance or in a hospital emergency
room. Salts and fluids delivered
through a vein (intravenously) are
absorbed quickly and speed recovery.