Dehydration: Care Instructions

Your Care Instructions

Dehydration happens when your body loses too much fluid. This might happen when you do not drink enough water or you lose large amounts of fluids from your body because of diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening.

Water and minerals called electrolytes help put your body fluids back in balance. Learn the early signs of fluid loss, and drink more fluids to prevent dehydration.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Drink plenty of fluids. Choose water and other clear liquids until you feel better. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
• If you do not feel like eating or drinking, try taking small sips of water, sports drinks, or other rehydration drinks.
• Get plenty of rest.

To prevent dehydration

• Add more fluids to your diet and daily routine, unless your doctor has told you not to.
• During hot weather, drink more fluids. Drink even more fluids if you exercise a lot. Stay away from drinks with alcohol.
• Watch for the symptoms of dehydration. These include:
  • A dry, sticky mouth.
  • Not much urine.
  • Dry and sunken eyes.
  • Feeling very tired.
• Learn what problems can lead to dehydration. These include:
  • Diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
  • Any illness with a fever, such as pneumonia or the flu.
  • Activities that cause heavy sweating, such as endurance races and heavy outdoor work in hot or humid weather.
  • Certain medicines, such as cold and allergy pills (antihistamines), pills that remove water from the body (diuretics), and laxatives.
  • Certain diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart or kidney disease.