The Signs of Dehydration
Signs of dehydration usually begin with thirst and progress to more alarming
manifestations as the need for water becomes more dire. The initial signs and
symptoms of mild dehydration in adults appear when the body has lost about
2% of it's total fluid. These mild dehydration symptoms are often (but not
limited to):
If the dehydration is allowed to continue unabated, when the total fluid loss
reaches 5% the following effects of dehydration are normally experienced:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased respiration
- Decreased sweating
- Decreased urination
- Increased body temperature
- Extreme fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Tingling of the limbs
When the body reaches 10% fluid loss emergency help is needed IMMEDIATELY!
10% fluid loss and above is often fatal! signs of severe dehydration
include:
- Muscle spasms
- Vomiting
- Racing pulse
- Shriveled skin
- Dim vision
- Painful urination
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Chest and Abdominal pain
- Unconciousness
Be aware that these are not the only signs of severe dehydration that may manifest in response to dehydration, these are simply the most common. Signs of dehydration will
differ from person to person because the body is a complex network of systems
and everyone's body is different. When these systems are disturbed
due to loss of fluids there will be several common symptoms 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 manifestation
of symptoms. Signs 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. heatstroke is always around the corner. |