SurvivalMedicineBlog

Dehydration: signs and when to get help

Not medical advice. This is an archive article for general information when professional care is hard to reach. It is not a diagnosis, treatment, or cure. Read the disclaimer. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

Dehydration means the body is losing more fluid than it is taking in. Heat, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and simply not drinking enough are common reasons. Infants and older adults get into trouble faster than healthy adults.

Signs

• Thirst, dry mouth, and less urine, or urine that is darker than usual
• Dizziness, headache, or unusual tiredness
• In infants: fewer wet diapers, a dry mouth, no tears, or a sunken soft spot on the head
• Later, more serious signs: confusion, a fast or weak pulse, cold clammy skin, or almost no urine

If the person can still drink

Offer small, frequent sips. Water is fine when fluid loss is mild. With repeated vomiting or diarrhea, a commercial oral rehydration solution is made for this situation. Follow the instructions on the packet. Do not invent a stronger or weaker mix. Drinks that are very sugary can make diarrhea worse.

Keep notes of how much the person drinks and how often they pass urine. That record helps anyone who takes over care.

Get help now if

• The person cannot keep fluids down
• An infant has fewer wet diapers, or any infant under three months is ill
• There is confusion, fainting, a seizure, or you cannot wake the person
• Urine has stopped for many hours, or the person looks shocky (cold, clammy, very weak)
• There is blood in vomit or stool, severe abdominal pain, or a stiff neck with fever

Those situations need emergency care, not more time at home. This page does not give a recipe for a homemade solution. See the home page for a wider list of emergency signs.