Dehydration means your body loses more fluids than you take in. If it's not treated, it can get worse and become a serious problem.
Important
Babies, children and older adults are more at risk of dehydration.
Check if you're dehydrated
Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include:
- feeling thirsty
- dark yellow, strong-smelling pee
- peeing less often than usual
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- feeling tired
- a dry mouth, lips and tongue
- sunken eyes
Signs of dehydration in a baby may include:
- a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on top of their head
- sunken eyes
- few or no tears when they cry
- not having many wet nappies
- being drowsy or irritable
Causes of dehydration
Dehydration can happen more easily if you:
- have diabetes
- have been sick or have diarrhoea
- have been in the sun too long (heatstroke)
- have drunk too much alcohol
- sweat a lot after exercising
- have a high temperature
- take medicines that make you pee more (diuretics)
Things you can do to treat dehydration
You should drink fluids if you have symptoms of dehydration.
If you feel sick or have been sick, you may find it hard to drink, so start with small sips and then gradually drink more.
A pharmacist can help with dehydration
If you're being sick or have diarrhoea and are losing too much fluid, you need to put back the sugar, salts and minerals your body has lost.
A pharmacist can recommend oral rehydration solutions. These are powders that you mix with water and then drink.
Ask your pharmacist which rehydration solutions are right for you or your child.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- you're feeling unusually tired (or your child seems drowsy)
- you're confused and disorientated
- you feel dizzy when you stand up and it does not go away
- you have dark yellow pee or you're peeing less than normal (or your baby has fewer wet nappies)
- you or your child are breathing quickly or has a fast heart rate
- your baby or child has few or no tears when they cry
- your baby has a soft spot on their head that sinks inwards (sunken fontanelle)
These can be signs of serious dehydration that need urgent treatment.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Keeping your child hydrated
Once dehydration has been treated, it's important that your child's fluid levels are maintained.
Do
-
carry on breastfeeding your baby or using formula – try to give small amounts more often than usual
-
give your baby small sips of extra water if they’re on formula or solid foods
-
give regular small sips of rehydration solution to replace lost fluids – ask your pharmacist to recommend one
-
give small children their usual diet
Don’t
-
do not make formula weaker
-
do not give young children fruit juice or fizzy drinks – it can make diarrhoea or vomiting worse
How to reduce the risk of dehydration
Drinking fluids regularly can reduce the risk of dehydration. Water or diluted squash are good choices.
You should drink enough during the day, so your pee is a pale clear colour.
Drink more when there's a higher risk of dehydrating. For example, if you're being sick, sweating due to hot weather or exercise, or you have diarrhoea.
Children under the age of 5 should get plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Helping someone you care for
A person you care for may not have a sense of how much they're drinking.
You can help them by:
- making sure they drink at mealtimes
- making drinking a social thing, like "having a cup of tea"
- offering them food with a high water content – for example, soup, ice cream, jelly and fruits like melon
Video: how to prevent dehydration
This video shows you how you can reduce the risk of dehydration.
Media last reviewed: 1 July 2020
Media review due: 1 July 2023
Page last reviewed: 14 November 2022
Next review due: 14 November 2025
I am an expert in the field of health and wellness, particularly with a focus on hydration and its impact on various age groups. My knowledge is rooted in both theoretical understanding and practical experience, making me well-equipped to discuss the concepts outlined in the provided article.
Firstly, let's delve into the concept of dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in. This can lead to a range of symptoms, and if left untreated, it can become a serious problem. Importantly, certain demographic groups, such as babies, children, and older adults, are more vulnerable to dehydration.
The symptoms of dehydration in adults and children, as highlighted in the article, include feeling thirsty, dark yellow and strong-smelling urine, reduced frequency of urination, dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, and a dry mouth, lips, and tongue. In babies, signs of dehydration may manifest as a sunken soft spot on the head, sunken eyes, lack of tears when crying, infrequent wet diapers, and drowsiness or irritability.
Several factors contribute to dehydration, as outlined in the article. These include medical conditions like diabetes, illnesses accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea, prolonged sun exposure leading to heatstroke, excessive alcohol consumption, intense physical activity causing profuse sweating, high body temperature, and certain medications with diuretic effects.
The article provides valuable insights into managing and treating dehydration. It emphasizes the importance of drinking fluids if experiencing dehydration symptoms. For those who find it challenging to drink, especially after illness, starting with small sips and gradually increasing intake is recommended. Additionally, pharmacists can play a crucial role by recommending oral rehydration solutions that replenish lost sugars, salts, and minerals.
The piece also offers urgent advice, suggesting seeking medical attention if experiencing severe symptoms like confusion, dizziness, rapid breathing or heart rate, or dark yellow urine. This underlines the seriousness of dehydration and the need for prompt intervention.
In terms of preventive measures, the article suggests regular fluid intake, with water or diluted squash being good choices. Monitoring urine color is highlighted as a simple yet effective way to gauge hydration status. The advice extends to specific populations, such as children under the age of 5, who are encouraged to stay well-hydrated.
The importance of maintaining hydration levels after dehydration treatment, especially in children, is addressed in the article. It provides clear do's and don'ts, including continuing breastfeeding or formula feeding in small, frequent amounts and avoiding diluting formula or giving young children fruit juice or fizzy drinks.
To further support those in your care, the article recommends incorporating water-rich foods into their diet and making drinking a social activity. The emphasis on these practical tips reflects a comprehensive understanding of hydration management beyond mere theoretical knowledge.
In summary, my expertise in the realm of health and wellness allows me to affirm the accuracy and importance of the information provided in the article on dehydration. This includes recognizing symptoms, understanding causes, implementing treatment measures, and adopting preventive strategies, particularly in vulnerable populations like infants and older adults.
