How Can You Tell If You Are Getting Dehydrated?

[SleeveShelly 75]

Are there signs?

[PdxMan 4,292]

Everyone symptoms are going to be different to some degree. I assume at this point you have done the obvious and Googled it, so it is time to call your Dr. You don't want to mess with this, do just call them and go in.

[JMarshall 352]

i know that i am dehydrated when my legs start to get stiff and of course when my urine gets dark or has a strong smell. Be carefull with dehydration it can set your back especially if you just had surgery. I was severely dehydrated 1 week after surgery and had to be hospitalized for 3 days. Call your doc and ask them if they want you to come in.

[gmanbat 5,889]

Serious stuff:

Symptoms of Dehydration in Adults

The signs and symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include:

• Increased thirst
  
• Dry mouth and swollen tongue
  
• Weakness
  
• Dizziness
  
• Palpitations (feeling that the heart is jumping or pounding)
  
• Confusion
  
• Sluggishness fainting
  
• Fainting
  
• Inability to sweat
  
• Decreased urine output
  

Urine color may indicate dehydration. If urine is concentrated and deeply yellow or amber, you may be dehydrated.

When to Seek Medical Care

Call your doctor if the dehydrated person experiences any of the following:

• Increased or constant vomiting for more than a day
  
• Fever over 101°F
  
• Diarrhea for more than 2 days
  
• Weight loss
  
• Decreased urine production
  
• Confusion
  
• Weakness
  

Take the person to the hospital's emergency department if these situations occur:

• Fever higher than 103°F
  
• Confusion
  
• Sluggishness (lethargy)
  
• Headache
  
• Seizures
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Chest or abdominal pains
  
• Fainting
  
• No urine in the last 12 hours
  

From Web MD

[fluffylibra30 323]

It's kinda gross but I do pay attention to my pee. If its not clear or close to it I know I need more Water. I have been hospitalized twice for dehydration and its serious business! Usually they just hook you up to an IV for a few hours then send you home.

[Sannah 258]

My doctor told me to pull to grab the skin on top of my hand. A hydrated persons skin will retract quickly. A dehydrated persons skin will move slow. Watch your urination as well. Concentrated color is not a good sign!!!

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[It's all new 453]

I would watch for your urine color and output. Are you needing to go every few hours and is it pretty much clear? That's a good sign. Concentrated, dark urine and long periods of time in between needing to go - not good.

I wouldn't use the skin on the back of the hand - I tried this with my mom and ended up with her in kidney failure for two weeks from dehydration. Turns out it really wasn't that easy to tell the difference in how her skin reacted!

And, better safe than sorry. As I said, earlier this year my mom went into two weeks of kidney failure from dehydration. It was terrifying. We were very lucky that her kidneys improved after a few weeks in the hospital.

Take care!

[Pookeyism 1,143]

The list above is a very comprehensive list, but you really want t avoid getting to that point. Urine is a very key indication to dehydration, among other things. Also - if you are not edematous (sp?) and you are releasing more than you are consuming, that is going to catch up to you.

If you have no conditions that consuming some extra Fluid is harmful to you, then I recommend the "pee drink" - it sounds gross but my aunt called it that and I have stuck with it for years and years. (Except on long car rides)

Anytime I would go to the bathroom I would drink about 4-6 oz of Water afterwards...from the tap, that is!

I have modified it now but it still helps me get in enough Water. It did not work as well the first few months, but now I can get in 2-3 oz of water quickly enough to not turn a bathroom break into a 1/2 hour.

[gmanbat 5,889]

If you have no conditions that consuming some extra Fluid is harmful to you, then I recommend the "pee drink" - it sounds gross but my aunt called it that and I have stuck with it for years and years. (Except on long car rides)

Anytime I would go to the bathroom I would drink about 4-6 oz of Water afterwards...from the tap, that is!

You scared me there for a minute! I had visions of the episode of Survivorman where he was trying to get through the outback and showing you how to "recycle".

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Are there signs?

Yes and here's what we discussed in my Nutrition class exactly last night:

Body Weight Lost: 1-2%, Symptoms: Thirst, Fatigue, Weakness, Vague Discomfort, Loss of Appetite.

3-4 %; Impaired physical performance, dry mouth, reduction in urine, flushed skin, impatience, apathy.

5-6 %; Difficulty in concentration, headache, irritability, sleepiness, impaired temperature regulation, increased respiratory rate.

7-10 %; Dizziness, spastic muscles, loss of balance, delirium, exhaustion, collapse.

This information comes from a slide show from our class last night and was taken from the book materials.

*** If you are thirsty, you are already slightly dehydrated. Drink up!!! If you experience any of the symptoms from the 5-6 % range, seek medical attention. You will most likely need an IV. DON'T LET IT GET OUT OF HAND: Dehydration is very dangerous and can lead to death.

[doxieville 799]

You scared me there for a minute! I had visions of the episode of Survivorman where he was trying to get through the outback and showing you how to "recycle". <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Me too!!! Whew!!

And as for the skin test? Yeah, doesn't work on older peoples skin who might be puffy for other reasons.

[gmanbat 5,889]

My pre-surgery trainers made it clear to me that I was losing a part of one organ but gaining a new one: a bottle of Water. Small sips taken regularly and often seems to be the gold standard.