Dehydration

A healthcare professional often can diagnose dehydration from symptoms. For a child, a change in weight might be used in the diagnosis.

To help confirm the diagnosis and to find out how dehydrated you are, you may have other tests. These might include:

• Blood tests. Blood samples check for several things. These include the levels of electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium, and how well the kidneys are working.
• Urinalysis. Tests done on your urine can help show whether you're dehydrated and how much. They also can check for a bladder infection.

The only way to treat dehydration is to replace lost fluids and lost electrolytes. The best way to replace lost fluids depends on age, how bad the dehydration is and its cause.

For infants and children who are dehydrated from diarrhea, vomiting or fever, use water with electrolytes such as Pedialyte or Smart Water.

Start with about a teaspoon (5 milliliters) every 1 to 5 minutes and increase as your child is able to take it. It might be easier to use a syringe for very young children. Older children can drink watered-down sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade. Use 1 part sports drink to 1 part water.

Most adults with mild to moderate dehydration from diarrhea, vomiting or fever can get better by drinking more water or other liquids. For children and adults, drinking full-strength fruit juice and soft drinks might make diarrhea worse.

If you work or exercise outdoors during hot or humid weather, drink cool water. Sports drinks that have electrolytes and a carbohydrate solution also may be helpful.

Severe dehydration should be treated right away, either by emergency workers who come in an ambulance or in a hospital emergency room. Salts and fluids given through a vein, called intravenously, are absorbed quickly and speed recovery.

You're likely to start by seeing your or your child's family healthcare professional. If you or your child shows signs of serious dehydration, such as having no energy or not responding to others, seek immediate care at a hospital right away.

If you have time to prepare for your appointment, here's some information to help you get ready.

What you can do

Make a list of:

• Symptoms and when they began. If there's been vomiting or diarrhea, write down when it began and how long it lasted.
• Key personal information, including recent travel or foods eaten that might have caused illness.
• Key medical information, including other conditions. List all medicines, vitamins and supplements, as well as doses.
• Questions to ask at your appointment.

For dehydration, questions might include:

• What's causing these symptoms?
• What tests are needed?
• What treatment do you recommend?
• How long will it take to get better?
• What can prevent dehydration from happening again?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional is likely to ask questions, such as:

• What were you doing when the symptoms began?
• Can you keep down food or drink?
• When did you last urinate? Do you have pain with urination or feel like you have to urinate right away?
• Are there other symptoms, such as belly cramping, fever, headache or muscle aches? How bad are these symptoms?
• Has there been blood in the stools?