Guide To The Symptoms Of Dehydration

Headache

Individuals can get headaches for countless reasons, so having a headache lone is not enough to determine dehydration is the cause. However, drinking water when dealing with a headache cannot hurt, so it is a good idea to do so anyway. Individuals have headaches when they are dehydrated because as the body loses water, the blood loses volume and the brain begins to shrink. The shrinking brain begins pulling back from the skull, which triggers the headache.

Since the volume of an individual's blood drops when dehydrated, there is less blood, and therefore less oxygen, getting to their brain, this also causes the tell-tale headaches. Aside from the headaches, dehydration can also cause dizziness, foggy thoughts, and a lack of focus as the brain begins to scale back functions to save what water it has.

Dry Skin

Patients with mild to moderate dehydration may notice their skin is drier than usual. If dehydration progresses to a severe stage, the skin could become extremely dry, and it may feel cool or clammy. Dry skin may appear wrinkled, and dehydration often causes a noticeable decrease in skin turgor. Turgor refers to the skin's ability to return to its normal position after it has been gently pinched. Dry skin and changes in skin turgor could develop with a five percent fluid loss, and they are particularly likely to occur in cases of a ten to fifteen percent fluid loss. Patients who notice dry skin should consider increasing their fluid intake. If dry skin occurs in conjunction with other symptoms of dehydration such as rapid breathing, an increased heart rate, or sunken eyes, patients should seek urgent medical attention.