Dehydration Symptoms

Dehydration is the lose of fluid balance in body; it is a physical condition when our body lacks the minimum fluid for normal function, or the hydration level of body goes below the normal level. Unless the lost fluid is replenished in the health system, dehydration may cause dangerous consequences.

There are different reasons behind setting dehydration in body, for example, intense diarrhea, fever, extensive vomiting, inadequate intake of water or excessive exercise may result in dehydration. Dehydration is equally devastating for all if left untreated, but adults and children are at more risk of developing dehydration in body and in their cases, negligence may cause fatal.

The sign and symptoms for dehydration are almost same for all its victims; however, depending on the severity of attack the intensity of the symptoms may vary from one person to another. Initially excessive thirst and decreased output of urine become two significant symptoms for dehydration.

In case the replenishment of lost fluid is not done properly some more symptoms for dehydration starts being apparently visible. Other signs and symptom of dehydration are dry mouth, dry eye, lack of sweating on skin in presence of palpitation, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, etc.

In case dehydration reaches at 5% fluid loss level, the general symptoms for dehydration are increased heart rate, reduces rate of urination, reduces sweating, increased rate of respiration, raise in body temperature, excessive fatigue, moderate to severe headache, nausea, and certain tingling sensation of limbs.

In case the fluid loss reaches at 10% level, it is to be accounted as severe state of dehydration. General symptoms for severe dehydration are muscle cramps, racing pulse, vomiting, wrinkled skin, blurred vision, feeling pain while urinating, acute difficulty in breathing, chest pain, abdominal pain, lower back pain, and severe confusion. The patients gradually tend to get drowsy and unconscious.

However, in severe cases, weakness and confusion recurs in a person suffering from dehydration because of inadequate blood supply in brain and other organs. In this severe condition, if this problem of dehydration remains untreated, the victim falls in grasp of coma with fatal consequence.

The symptoms of dehydration differ from one patient to other and also the severity of dehydration depends on individual’s immunity power and age. Leaving children apart, senior members of family and chronic patients are at more risk of dehydration crisis.