GotoAID - Dehydration

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Dehydration – Adults

Dehydration is a condition that occurs when someone loses more fluids than they take in. Losing large amounts of water can sometimes make a person feel quite sick. A dehydrated person may not always be thirsty. This can also be brought about after severe vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Symptoms

Mild Thirst	Sunken Eyes
Tiredness	Lack of Sweat
Light Headedness	Inability to Produce Urine
Muscle Cramping	Low Blood Pressure
Restlessness	Seizure
Dry Sticky Feeling in Mouth	Rapid Pulse
Loss of Elasticity/Doughy Skin

Steps

Take the person to a cool and shady area or an air conditioned room

Remove any excess clothing and loosen other clothing

Use a fan or a spray bottle to spray cool water on exposed skin surfaces.

Take slow sips of tepid water as rapid consumption can increase nausea.

Try and use a straw if possible, you may also suck on a popsicle, or suck on ice chips.

For mild dehydration, replace fluids as needed until symptoms resolve.

For moderate dehydration, replace fluids with a rehydration solution such as dilute sports drink (1:1 with water).

For severe dehydration, or if a fever higher than 101 F, confusion seizure, fainting is witnessed, seek medical attention, or call emergency services.

Fluids can be replaced in the form of tepid water, non-carbonated beverages, sports drink like Gatorade, popsicles, ice chips, light soup, jello or fruits with high water content like watermelon.