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Dehydration

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Definition:

Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. Vomiting and diarrhea are common causes.

Infants and children are more susceptible to dehydration than adults because of their smaller body weights and higher turnover of water and electrolytes. The elderly and those with illnesses are also at higher risk.

Dehydration is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on how much of the body's fluid is lost or not replenished. When severe, dehydration is a life-threatening emergency.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Your body may lose too much fluids from:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Excessive urine output , such as with uncontrolled diabetes or diuretic use
• Excessive sweating (for example, from exercise)
• Fever

You might not drink enough fluids because of:

• Nausea
• Loss of appetite due to illness
• Sore throat or mouth sores

Dehydration in sick children is often a combination of both -- refusing to eat or drink anything while also losing fluid from vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.

References:

Porter SC. The value of parental report for diagnosis and management of dehydration in the emergency department. Ann Emerg Med . 2003; 41(2): 196-205.

Guerrant RL. Practice guidelines for the management of infectious diarrhea. Clin Infec Dis . 2001; 32(3): 331-351.

Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness. American Academy of Pediatrics. Climatic heat stress and the exercising child and adolescent. Pediatrics . 2000; 106(1 Pt 1): 158-159.

• Review Date: 6/13/2006
• Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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