Dehydration: what is it, how to prevent it, and what to do about it?

What is dehydration?

• Dehydration occurs when your body absorbs less water than it loses. A water shortage develops in your body.
• Dehydration prevents your body from functioning optimally, which can cause mild to severe symptoms.

What are the consequences of dehydration?

• A common initial symptom of dehydration is feeling (very) thirsty and having a dry mouth. Dark yellow urine, muscle cramps, and fatigue can also be signs of dehydration, possibly followed later by a headache.
• Less elastic skin can also be a sign of dehydration. If you pull on your skin, it doesn't spring back into place immediately, but only after almost a second. 
• More serious symptoms include loss of consciousness, fainting, cold or clammy limbs, confusion, and rapid, irregular breathing or heartbeat.
• Severe dehydration can lead to a coma.

What increases the risk of dehydration?

• Drinking too little in hot or warm weather
• Sweating a lot in hot weather
• Diarrhea accompanied by fever, nausea, or vomiting can significantly increase the risk of dehydration. You lose fluid through stool, sweat, and vomit simultaneously.
• Vomiting or fever
• Urinating frequently

What should you do if you're dehydrated?

• Dehydration occurs when you lack fluids, essential sugars, and salts.
• It's important to drink plenty of fluids, such as water, tea, and fruit juice.
• It's also important to drink something salty, such as broth or ORS. This can also be useful if you are just worried that you are going to get diarrhea.

What should you do to prevent dehydration?

• Drink water, coffee, and tea without sugar.
• Continue drinking, even when you're sick (even if it's just a small amount).
• Reduce sweating, by becoming less active
• Check your urine color (not too dark).
• Stay out of the sun as much as possible after experiencing symptoms.
• Don't drink alcohol.