Dehydration in Adults |
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DESCRIPTION
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Dehydration (dee-hi-DRAY-shun)--excessive loss of water and salt from the body--can become very dangerous if you allow it to go uncorrected.
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CAUSES
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Prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, or high fever can deplete the body's fluids. Other causes include staying in the sun or heat for too long and sweating a lot. An overdose of medicines that cause you to lose water and salt, such as diuretics (di-u-RET-ics) or ""water pills,'' also can cause dehydration.
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SYMPTOMS
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Typical symptoms include a dry tongue and mouth, great thirst, and less urination. Other symptoms include sunken eyes, wrinkled skin, dizziness, confusion, and a fast heartbeat and breathing.
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CARE
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You may need to have your blood tested. You also may need a stay in the hospital, where you can be given IV fluids. If you think you are dehydrated, you should weigh yourself daily and write down the number. Also keep track of how much and how often you are vomiting and having diarrhea. Get lots of rest.
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COMPLICATIONS
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s Without treatment, your blood pressure could fall too low, leading to shock and even death.
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