RA
1
1
Mild severity
· MD Medicine
Dehydration
Low body water · Heat and diarrhea
Body loses more water than it takes in — from heat, diarrhea or illness. Mild cases are easily treated; severe ones need IV fluids urgently.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Common in Indian summers
- Typical age
- Any age, elderly + kids worst
- Outlook
- Easily reversible
- System
- Lungs
Reviewed by a verified MD Medicine doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Heat exposure
- Diarrhea, vomiting
- Fever
- Diabetes (osmotic diuresis)
- Reduced fluid intake (elderly)
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Thirst, dry mouth
- Dark concentrated urine
- Headache, dizziness
- Reduced urine output
- Lethargy, confusion in severe
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Oral rehydration solution
- Plain water, lemon-salt-sugar
- IV fluids in severe
- Treat underlying cause
- Hospitalize the very young / old if severe
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Drink 2–3 L water/day
- Increase intake in summer
- Carry ORS during travel
- Treat diarrhea promptly
Do’s
- Sip ORS regularly
- Drink to maintain pale-yellow urine
- Avoid heavy alcohol in heat
- Cover head outdoors
Don’ts
- Drink only sugary drinks
- Skip ORS in diarrhea
- Drink ice-cold water in big gulps
- Ignore confusion in the elderly
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.