Dehydration is easier to prevent than treat. Your body, under normal conditions, has a certain balance of fluids and electrolytes. When this balance is disturbed other systems are affected and illnesses occur. Dehydration is a drop in fluid levels and can usually be treated easily with no lasting effects. Prevent dehydration by keeping your body hydrated. If you are doing something active outside such as hiking or a sport, you’ll sweat and breathe a lot harder, losing more fluid than normal. Some medications also cause fluid loss. In situations like these, it’s important to drink water or sports drinks (which replace electrolytes as well) whether you feel thirsty or not. If you feel thirsty, you’re already showing signs of dehydration. It’s good to know the symptoms of dehydration in case you are ever in a situation where you may be at risk. Below are some of the more common symptoms:

Early or mild dehydration:

Extreme thirst

Flushed face

Dry, warm skin

Weakness

Headache

Dry mouth with thick saliva

Decreased coordination

Fatigue

Smaller appetite

Impaired judgment

Dizziness that worsens as you stand and move

Small amounts of dark yellow urine

Arm and leg cramps

Very few tears (when crying)

Moderate to severe dehydration:

Fainting

Convulsions

Low blood pressure

Less sweating (internal cooling mechanism becomes ineffective)

Severe arm, leg, stomach, and back cramps

Bloated stomach

Sunken ‘dry’ eyes

Lack of skin elasticity (a bit of lifted skin takes longer to ‘spring’ back into place)

Dehydration can be treated by:

Giving the victim more liquids than usual, but in small doses, too much at once could cause vomiting which would lead to even greater fluid loss. Water, sports drinks, and oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are best. Sports drinks and ORS replace both fluids and electrolytes. ORS’s can be bought or made. The drinks should be sipped slowly, in small amounts for about an hour. Even if you vomit while doing this, your body is retaining some of the fluids. Chilling the liquids can help, as it can prevent internal body temps from becoming to high and progressing to heat stroke.

Nonprescription medicines that will help replenish fluid and electrolyte levels are available. Salt tabs however should be avoided, as they will lead to further dehydration.

The person affected should be resting in the shade and should not resume activities until urination becomes normal (pale yellow and clear), and the other symptoms of dehydration disappear.

Those suffering from dehydration have less of an appetite. If you fear you are becoming dehydrated (or want to avoid it altogether), make sure you eat and drink small amounts of food 5-7 times a day.

In cases of severe dehydration, get the person to an emergency room, as untreated dehydration can lead to death.

If a person who is severely dehydrated can drink, they should still be given the ORS and water.

*** Before administering any first aid to anyone outside your family, be aware of your rights and responsibilities: The Good Samaritan Law. ***