Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. The body is very dynamic and always changing. This is especially true with water in the body. We lose water routinely when we: breathe, as humidified air leaves the body, when we sweat to cool the body, and when we urinate or have a bowel movement to rid the body of waste products.
Health Tip: Warning Signs of Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body doesn't have enough fluids, either because it's lost too many fluids, a person hasn't drunk enough fluids, or both. The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists these common warning signs of significant dehydration: Not being able to urinate, or urinating very little. Urine that is very concentrated and dark yellow in color. Not being able to produce tears. Sunken eyes. In infants, the soft spot on the head is significantly sunken. Lethargy, dizziness or lightheadedness.
Symptoms: Mild to moderate dehydration is likely to cause: Dry, sticky mouth, Sleepiness or tiredness — children are likely to be less active than usual, Thirst, Decreased urine output — fewer than six wet diapers a day for infants and eight hours or more without urination for older children and teens, Few or no tears when crying, Muscle weakness, Headach, Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Dog dehydration is an excess loss of bodily fluids. It most often involves the loss of water and minerals such as sodium, chloride, and potassium; collectively called electrolytes. Dehydration in dogs can be caused by illness (especially if the dog has a fever), exposure to extreme heat, and a number of other factors. A dog's natural act of panting causes a loss of fluids and can result in dehydration if they are not replaced. Remember that dogs lack sweat glands to keep them cool. They pant in an effort to regulate their body temperature. A panting dog is a hot dog.
A physical examination may also show signs of: Low blood pressure, Blood pressure that drops when you go from lying down to standing, Rapid heart rate, Poor skin turgor -- the skin may lack its normal elasticity and sag back into position slowly when pinched up into a fold by the doctor; normally, skin springs right back into position, Delayed capillary refill , Shock.
Dehydration symptoms in the elderly can be different than in younger adults and children. Medications that the elderly take are much more likely to lead to dehydration in that population. One particular symptom of dehydration that is more pronounced in the elderly is poor skin elasticity. When the skin is pinched, it holds its form rather than returning to its normal shape.
Severe dehydration - is a decrease of more than 5% of body weight due to fluid loss. A 10% or greater reduction in body weight is extremely serious. If not treated immediately, this level of dehydration can be life threatening. Hospitalisation and an intravenous drip may be necessary to restore the substantial loss of fluids.
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