When you hear the word “dehydration,” it’s easy to picture a cartoon character crawling across hot desert sand with an empty canteen and no hope in vision.
You might not think about the confused older adult, the fussy toddler who’s not shedding tears even though they’re crying or those times when you were tired, headachy and very thirsty. This is what dehydration looks like in the real world.
But you can beat dehydration before it gets worse. Emergency medicine physician Baruch Fertel, the warning signs of dehydration and some tips for staying safe when temperature arises
What is dehydration and what causes it?
Dehydration occurs when your body loses more liquids than it takes in. When you’re dehydrated, your body can’t function as intended. While you might associate dehydration with extreme temperatures, there are quite a few things that can contribute to it.
Dehydration can be caused by a many of factors, including:
Who’s more at risk for dehydration?
As dehydration can be caused by illness or being in severe heat, any of us can be susceptible to it. But there are a few populations that are at a slightly higher risk: If you start the work day dehydrated, it’s harder to replace what your body has lost.
Older adults are at higher risk for dehydration because our body’s fluid reserves decrease as we age. Your body also gets to the point where it might not constantly communicate thirst. Dehydration can also develop when they’re sick.
If you have a chronic and svere condition, you might be more susceptible to dehydration, especially if you’re living with a digestive condition that causes frequent diarrhea. Medications can also cause dehydration if they have diuretics in them.
If you’re an athlete, it doesn’t matter if you’re outside, indoors or even in water — you can become dehydrated in any setting. When you’re engaged in intense physical activity, your body temperature rises. Sweat cools your body down, but you lose liquid and electrolytes in the process. You can become dehydrated if both aren’t replenished.
Signs of dehydration
Whether it’s the start of summer vacation or you’re gearing up for an upcoming trip, many of us are excited to get outside and have fun in the sun — even in higher temperatures. But to prevent dehydration and heat stroke, it’s important to stay hydrated.
Signs of dehydration in older children and adults
“When someone is dehydrated, they’ll experience intense thirst,” he says. “They also might not urinate frequently. Those are signs that you’re not getting enough fluids and progressing to dehydration.
Here’s a rundown of the many signs dehydration can take in both older children and adults:
Thirst.
Less urination.
Warm-to-the-touch skin.
Not sweating.
Being anxious.
Headache, delirium, confusion.
Fatigue.
Dizziness.
Dry mouth and/or a dry cough.
High heart rate with low blood pressure.
Not being hungry but possibly craving sugar.
Flushed skin.
Swelling in the feet.
Muscle cramping.
Heat intolerance, or chills.
Constipation.
Urine that’s darker in color (not light or clear).
Once you recognize that someone is dehydrated, Dr. Fertel recommends getting them out of the heat and giving them plenty of fluids. Water is best, or a sports drink or electrolyte packet. But definitely stay away from drinking any alcohol. As you’re out in the heat more, you may feel warm to the touch and stop sweating. What you’re experiencing can progress to heat stroke.
How to tell if a baby or toddler is dehydrated
Identifying dehydration with kids, especially babies and toddlers, requires a little more investigation. While small children can’t show that they’re thirsty with words, their behaviors can reveal how they’re feeling. Be on the lookout for these signs:
They’re less playful and sleepier.
They can be more irritable than usual.
There’s a decrease in wet diapers.
The soft spot on their head is sunken in.
Fewer or no tears when crying.
“With infants, the clues to dehydration may be subtle. However, if you notice any of the signs, contact your child’s healthcare provider right away,” says Dr. Sabella.
With kids of all ages, she adds that urination changes are also a major red flag. A child’s urine should normally be clear or a light yellow color.
According to Dr. Sabella, infants 0 to 6 months of age may be given additional breast milk or formula for hydration. But they shouldn’t be given plain water at this age.
How to prevent dehydration in adults
Here are some ways to precent dehydration:
Drink enough water
This is an obvious one, yes. But as we all know, life can get busy and sometimes, before you know it, the day is half over and you realize you haven’t drunk enough water.
“The most important thing someone can do to avoid themselves from experiencing a heat-related illness is to stay hydrated,” It’s really important, especially when it’s extremely hot outside.” On average, you should drink about 125 ounces a day if you’re male and 91 ounces if you’re female. If it’s helpful, try setting reminders
Drink more water when being active outside
It’s best to be proactive about staying hydrated if you work outside or if you’re doing an outdoor workout. But you don’t want to just guzzle water once you start your workout or job. Instead, drink water before you start getting active and before you even feel thirsty.
Once you’re in the heat, drink one cup of water (8 fluid ounces) every 15 to 20 minutes. Avoid drinking more than 48 ounces of water or sports drinks in an hour because doing so might cause the amount of salt in your blood to drop too low. And hydrate afterward to replace what you might have lost from sweating.
Eat hydrating foods
There are other ways to make sure you’re staying hydrated as well. And luckily, a lot of these snacks are perfect picnic and beach-day foods.
Go for foods with high water content, like:
Be mindful of medications
Some medications, such as diuretics,can increase urine production and contribute to dehydration. Your doctor may have you on these medications to help with things like high blood pressure, diabetes or cardiomyopathy. If you’re taking such medications, consult your healthcare provider for guidance on how to maintain the right level of hydration.
Limit alcohol, sugar and caffeine
A couple things that aren’t good for dehydration — sugar, caffeine and alcohol. Be mindful of how much you’re consuming, especially on hot days. Stay away from energy drinks and caffeinated drinks as well.
“When we talk about hydration, it’s really important to drink water or other nonalcoholic liquids, as alcohol can actually exacerbate dehydration. It can be a diuretic and cause you to urinate more,” warns Dr. Fertel.
The bottom line
Dehydration is no joke. Water intake can be something we overlook, especially when we’re outside having fun. But it’s critical to stay hydrated. It’s also important to know the signs of dehydration so you can recognize them in yourself and others.
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When you hear the word “dehydration,” it’s easy to picture a cartoon character crawling across hot desert sand with an empty canteen and no hope in vision.
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