Symptoms:
• Darker-than-usual urine
• Not urinating despite steadily drinking water
• Muscle cramps
• Bad breath
• Fatigue
• Fever or chills
• Craving sweets
• Dry mouth/skin
• Fast heartbeat
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
Our region is dry year-round and hot sun can do a number on anyone, especially youngsters or those working up a sweat — you can lose 40 percent of your body’s water during exercise.
“Fluids are essential to keeping the vital organs active,” says Dolly Doctor, MD, an internal medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Encinitas. “Dehydration can be mild, moderate or severe, based on how much of your body’s fluid is lost or not replaced. Severe cases can lead to a hospital trip for IV fluids and could sometimes result in kidney damage or nervous system problems.”
The elderly are also at a higher risk for dehydration.
“Older people may forget to drink water or not recognize their thirst,” says Stacie Ly, MD, internal medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Carlsbad. “They might also neglect to prevent dehydration the same way a younger person would. Be cognizant about that if you have a parent or older person around.”
Courtesy: scripps.org
