What Happens When You Become Dehydrated?

How Do You Become Dehydrated?

Your body becomes dehydrated when more fluids and water leave you body than enter it. Your body loses water through sweating, urination, and even breathing. Since your body is almost 75% water, is important to replenish the water we lose.

Besides not drinking enough water, dehydration can come from diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating. In each of these cases, water is being removed from the body more than normal.

Symptoms of Dehydration

Your body can experience several symptoms when it becomes dehydrated.

• Lethargy or Fatigue
• Headaches or Dizziness
• Constipation
• Darker Urine
• Feeling extreme thirst

For most cases of dehydration, all you need to do is increase your fluid intake. However, in severe cases, further medical attention is required.

Symptoms of severe dehydration include the following:

• Fever
• Rapid breathing or heartbeat
• Fainting
• Confusion or Shock

How to Treat Dehydration

To treat dehydration it is recommended to drink lots of water. Sports drinks with electrolytes may also be consumed if you also lost electrolytes. For severe dehydration, being treated with IV fluids with salt is needed.

The best way to deal with dehydration is to make sure you do not get it. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout your day to ensure you are properly hydrated!