Dehydration Summary When you’re dehydrated, your body doesn’t have enough fluid to work properly. An average person on an average day needs about 3 quarts of water. But if you’re out in the hot sun, you’ll need a lot more than that. Most healthy bodies are very good at regulating water. Elderly people, young children and some special cases – like people taking certain medications – need to be a little more careful. Signs of dehydration in adults include Being thirsty Urinating less often than usual Dark-colored urine Dry skin Feeling tired Dizziness and fainting Signs of dehydration in babies and young children include a dry mouth and tongue, crying without tears, no wet diapers for 3 hours or more, a high fever and being unusually sleepy or drowsy. If you think you’re dehydrated, drink small amounts of water over a period of time. Taking too much all at once can overload your stomach and make you throw up. For people exercising in the heat and losing a lot of minerals in sweat, sports drinks can be helpful. Avoid any drinks that have caffeine. Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Dehydration National Institutes of Health Array Dehydration Start Here Dehydration Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Dehydration (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Dehydration Comes on Fast and Can Be Fatal American College of Emergency Physicians Teenagers Dehydration (For Teens) Nemours Foundation Prevention and Risk Factors Don’t Dry Out: Make Sure You Drink Enough Water National Institutes of Health Selecting and Effectively Using Hydration for Fitness American College of Sports Medicine Selecting and Effectively Using Sports Drinks, Carbohydrate Gels and Energy Bars American College of Sports Medicine Seniors Drinking Enough Fluids National Institute on Aging Water National Institute on Aging Children Drinks to Prevent Dehydration in a Vomiting Child American Academy of Pediatrics Parents’ and Coaches’ Guide to Dehydration and Other Heat Illnesses in Children National Athletic Trainers’ Association Sports Dehydration Safety Tips Safe Kids Worldwide Straight Poop on Kids and Diarrhea Food and Drug Administration What’s the Big Sweat about Dehydration? (For Kids) Nemours Foundation Health Check Tools Excessive Thirst DSHI Systems Treatments and Therapies First Aid: Dehydration Nemours Foundation Find an Expert National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Journal Articles Dehydration Encyclopedia Thirst – absent Thirst – excessive
