<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Contents</strong></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Causes</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Symptoms</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Exams and Tests</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Treatment</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Outlook (Prognosis)</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Possible Complications</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">When to Contact a Medical Professional</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Prevention</span></span></em></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe based on how much of the body&#39;s fluid is lost or not replenished. When it is severe, dehydration is a life-threatening emergency.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="1" name="1">Causes</a></span></span></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Your body may lose too much fluids from:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Excessive sweating (for example, from exercise)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Excessive urine output, such as with uncontrolled diabetes or diuretic use</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Fever</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Vomiting&nbsp;or&nbsp;diarrhea</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">You might not drink enough fluids because of:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Loss of appetite due to illness</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Nausea</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Sore throat&nbsp;or&nbsp;mouth sores</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Dehydration in sick children is often a combination of refusing to eat or drink anything and losing fluid from vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Infants and children are more likely to become dehydrated than adults because they weigh less and their bodies turn over water and&nbsp;electrolytes&nbsp;more quickly. The elderly and people with illnesses are also at higher risk.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="2" name="2">Symptoms</a></span></span></h2>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Dry or sticky mouth</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Lethargy&nbsp;or coma (with severe dehydration)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Low or no urine output; urine looks dark yellow</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">No tears</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Sunken eyes</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Sunken fontanelles&nbsp;(the soft spot on the top of the head) in an infant</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">You may also have vomiting, diarrhea, or the feeling that you &quot;can&#39;t keep anything down.&quot; All of these can be causing the dehydration.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><img alt="" src="https://www.zdrav.kz/images/refs2/35De.jpg" /></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A decrease in skin turgor is indicated when the skin (on the back of the hand for an adult or on the abdomen for a child) is pulled up for a few seconds and does not return to its original state. A decrease in skin turgor is a late sign of dehydration.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="3" name="3">Exams and Tests</a></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A physical examination may also show signs of:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Blood pressure that drops when you go from lying down to standing</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Delayed capillary refill</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Low blood pressure</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Poor skin turgor&nbsp;-- the skin may not be as elastic as normal and sag back into position slowly when the health care provider pinches it up into a fold (normally, skin springs right back into place)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Rapid heart rate</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Shock</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Tests include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Blood chemistries&nbsp;(to check&nbsp;electrolytes, especially sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate levels)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Blood urea nitrogen&nbsp;(BUN)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Complete blood count&nbsp;(CBC)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Creatinine</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Urine specific gravity</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Other tests may be done to determine the cause of the dehydration (for example, blood sugar level to check fordiabetes).</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="4" name="4">Treatment</a></span></span></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Drinking fluids is usually enough for mild dehydration. It is better to drink small amounts of fluid often (using a teaspoon or syringe for an infant or child), instead of trying to force large amounts of fluid at one time. Drinking too much fluid at once can bring on more vomiting.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Electrolyte solutions or freezer pops are very effective. These are available at pharmacies. Sports drinks contain a lot of sugar and can cause or worsen diarrhea. In infants and children, avoid using water as the primary replacement fluid.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002383.htm">Intravenous</a>&nbsp;fluids and a hospital stay may be needed for moderate to severe dehydration. The health care provider will try to identify and then treat the cause of the dehydration.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Most cases of stomach viruses (also called&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000252.htm">v</a>iral gastroenteritis) tend to get better on their own after a few days. See also:&nbsp;Diarrhea</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">See also:&nbsp;Heat emergencies</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="5" name="5">Outlook (Prognosis)</a></span></span></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">When dehydration is found and treated quickly, the outcome is usually good.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="6" name="6">Possible Complications</a></span></span></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Untreated severe dehydration may lead to:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Death</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Permanent brain damage</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Seizures</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="7" name="7">When to Contact a Medical Professional</a></span></span></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Call 112 if you or your child have the following symptoms:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Confusion</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Dizziness</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Lethargy</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Light-headedness</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Call your health care provider right away if you or your child has any of the following symptoms:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Blood in the stool or vomit</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Diarrhea or vomiting (in infants less than 2 months old)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Dry mouth or dry eyes</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Dry skin that sags back into position slowly when pinched up into a fold</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Fast-beating heart</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Listlessness and inactiveness</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Little or no urine output for 8 hours</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">No tears</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Sunken eyes</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Sunken soft spot on the top of your infant&#39;s head</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Call your health care provider if you are not sure whether you are giving your child enough fluids.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Also call your health care provider if:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">You or your child cannot keep down fluids during an illness</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Vomiting has been going on for longer than 24 hours in an adult or longer than 12 hours in a child</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Diarrhea has lasted longer than 5 days in an adult or child</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Your infant or child is much less active than usual or is irritable</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">You or your child is urinating much more than normal, especially if there is a family history of diabetes or you are taking diuretics</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a id="8" name="8">Prevention</a></span></span></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Even when you are healthy, drink plenty of fluids every day. Drink more when the weather is hot or you are exercising.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Carefully monitor someone who is ill, especially an infant, child, or older adult. If you believe that the person is getting dehydrated, call your health care provider before the person becomes dehydrated. Begin fluid replacement as soon as vomiting and diarrhea start -- DO NOT wait for signs of dehydration.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Always encourage a person who is sick to drink fluids. Remember that fluid needs are greater with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. The easiest signs to monitor are urine output (there should be frequent wet diapers or trips to the bathroom), saliva in the mouth, and tears when crying.</span></span></p>
