Signs of Dehydration and How to Prevent It

Thirsty?  How do you know if you're just “normal thirsty” or if you're suffering from dehydration?

A simple definition of dehydration is your body doesn't have enough water in it to work properly.

There are many reasons for it besides not drinking enough water—severe diarrhea and/or vomiting, high fever, a side effect to a medication such as a diuretic, a complication of diabetes, or after consuming too much alcohol.

Anyone can become dehydrated, although infants, young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with long-term illnesses are at the highest risks.

Since severe dehydration can be serious—possibly leading to shock or death within a few hours—it's vital to be aware of the symptoms, and potential causes. Symptoms of dehydration may include:

• Thirst    
• Dry skin
• Headaches
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Cramps
• Low blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Mood changes or confusion
• Constipation
• Decrease in urine production or dark urine
• Fever

Staying hydrated is particularly important during the summer months, when we tend to be outside in the heat more often, and may be participating in strenuous activity.

The best way to keep from becoming dehydrated is to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

While the old adage “8 ounces 8 times per day” is merely an easy-to-remember guideline, and may not be necessary under normal conditions, it’s a handy rule when we're exercising outside during the summer.

Don't forget that water can be found in the food we eat, too—and a cool cucumber soup or a fresh fruit salad might be pretty refreshing on a hot day.