In this Article

• What is dehydration?
• What causes dehydration?
• What are the signs and symptoms of dehydration?
• How is dehydration diagnosed?
• How is dehydration treated?
• Can I treat dehydration at home?
• What are the complications of dehydration?
• How can dehydration be prevented?
• Dehydration At A Glance
• Dehydration Glossary
• Dehydration Index

What causes dehydration?

Dehydration occurs because there is too much water lost, not enough water taken in, or most often a combination of the two.

• Diarrhea: Diarrhea is the most common reason a person loses excess water. A significant amount of water can be lost with each bowel movement. Worldwide, more than four million children die each year because of dehydration from diarrhea.
  
  
• Vomiting: Vomiting can also be a cause of fluid loss; as well, it makes it difficult to replace water by drinking it.
  
  
• Sweat: The body can lose significant amounts of water when it tries to cool itself by sweating. Whether the body is hot because of the environment (for example, working in a warm environment), intense exercising in a hot environment, or because a fever is present due to an infection, the body uses a significant amount of water in the form of sweat to cool itself. Depending upon weather conditions, a brisk walk will generate up to 16 ounces of sweat (a pound of water).
  
  
• Diabetes: In people with diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels cause sugar to spill into the urine and water then follows. Significant dehydration can occur. For this reason, frequent urination and excessive thirst are among the symptoms of diabetes.
  
  
• Burns: Burn victims become dehydrated because water seeps into the damaged skin. Other inflammatory diseases of the skin are also associated with fluid loss.
  
  
• Inability to drink fluids: The inability to drink adequately is the other potential cause of dehydration. Whether it is the lack of availability of water or the lack of strength to drink adequate amounts, this, coupled with routine or extraordinary water losses, can compound the degree of dehydration.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Electrolytes - Electrolytes in the body need to be maintained for bodily fluid function. Electrolytes are lost through bodily secretions such as sweat, diarrhea, vomiting. Source:MedicineNet Urinalysis - Learn about the urinalysis test. Diseases and conditions such as urinary tract or kidney infection, kidney stones, kidney failure, diabetes, or high blood pressure can be diagnosed or monitored. Source:MedicineNet Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause. Source:MedicineNet Read 188 more Dehydration related articles ... Iced Teas Pose High Risk of Kidney Stones C. diff Epidemic: What You Must Know Activity-Linked Heat Illness Needs Prompt Attention Extreme Heat a Deadly Risk for Older Adults Heat Exposure a Dangerous Summer Threat Olympics in Beijing: Air Quality Woes Global Warming Linked to Heightened Kidney Stone Risk Cool Air Blown Under Pads May Protect Footballers From Illness How to Stay Out of the ER This Summer Health Tip: Dealing With Diarrhea