Effects of Dehydration

The effects of dehydration begin with thirst and progress to more alarming effects as the need for water becomes more critical. The initial effects of mild dehydration in adults appear when the body has lost about 2% of it's total fluid.

Some of these mild dehydration effects are often, but not limited to:

If the dehydration is allowed to continue, when the body experiences fluid loss of 5% the following more severe dehydration effects are normally experienced:

Increased heart rate
Increased respiration
Decreased sweating
Decreased urination
Headaches
Nausea
Tingling of the limbs
Increased body temperature
Extreme fatigue
Muscle cramps

When the body reaches 10% fluid loss emergency help is needed IMMEDIATELY! This level of fluid loss is often fatal! The effects of severe dehydration include:

Muscle spasms
Vomiting
Painful urination
Confusion
Difficulty breathing
Racing pulse
Shriveled skin
Dim vision
Seizures
Chest and Abdominal pain
Unconciousness

Be aware that these are not the only effects caused by dehydration, these are simply the most common. Effects of dehydration will differ from person to person because the body is a complex network of systems and everyone is unique. When these systems are disturbed due to loss of fluids there will be several common effects shared by most bodies, but there may also be unusual or unexpected responses depending on the particular person in question. Age also plays a part in the type of effects experienced due to dehydration. Effects of dehydration in a child will not be the same as those experienced by a teenager, adult or in the elderly. Dehydration prevention is the best treatment for every age group.

Additional Effects of Dehydration Resources

There are many other resources on the web where you can find information about dehydration effects. Please visit as many as you can and expand you knowledge about the symptoms and effects of dehydration.

Disclaimer

The information provided is for entertainment on and should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all effects of dehydration. The site owner makes no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, currentness, or timeliness of the content, text or graphics. Links to other sites are provided for information only - they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites which may contain additional information about the effects of dehydration or dehydration effects pictures.