Having proper hydration is key to overall health and well-being, but it's easy to forget to drink enough fluids during the day. Dehydration can occur when your body doesn't have enough water or other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If left untreated, dehydration can be dangerous.

AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst can help treat early signs of dehydration. If you find yourself sweating a lot this summer, or spending more time outdoors in a heat wave, visit our center for treatment. Be sure to be aware of any severe signs of dehydration, as this may require a trip to the emergency room.

5 Common Symptoms of Dehydration

1. Feeling thirsty

One of the earliest signs of dehydration is feeling thirsty. Thirst is your body's way of telling you that it needs more fluids. If you're not drinking enough fluids during the day, you may feel thirsty all the time.

2. Dry mouth

Another early symptom of dehydration is dry mouth. When your body doesn't have enough fluids, it can't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. This can lead to a feeling of sticky or tacky mouth, as well as bad breath.

3. Headache

Dehydration can also cause headaches. When your body doesn't have enough fluids, your blood volume decreases. This can lead to low blood pressure and reduced blood flow to your brain, which can trigger a headache.

4. Dizziness

Dizziness is another common symptom of dehydration. When your blood volume decreases, it can cause your blood pressure to drop. This can lead to lightheadedness and dizziness.

5. Dark yellow urine

One of the best ways to tell if you're dehydrated is to check the color of your urine. If it's dark yellow, it's a sign that you need to drink more fluids. If it's brown or orange, it's a sign of severe dehydration, and you should seek medical help immediately. 

Severe Dehydration Symptoms

If you find that you have one or more of these symptoms and continue to ignore them, you may be at risk for more serious problems. Severe dehydration can lead to:

• Confusion
• Coma
• Seizures
• Kidney failure

If you have any of the above symptoms of dehydration, it's important to seek medical attention right away. Dehydration can be dangerous and even life-threatening if it's not treated properly. 

Dehydration in Children

It is especially important to watch for dehydration in children. They are more likely to become dehydrated because they have a higher metabolism and lose fluids more quickly. They also have a smaller body size, so they can become dehydrated more easily.

Symptoms of dehydration in children include:

• Lethargy
• Irritability
• Dry mouth
• Sunken eyes

They may not be able to tell you that they're thirsty, so it's important to watch for these signs. If your child is showing any of these symptoms, give them fluids right away and seek medical attention if the symptoms don't improve.

If you or your child are experiencing any of these dehydration symptoms, it is important to drink fluids right away. Dehydration can be dangerous, so don't wait until you feel thirsty – by that point, you may already be dehydrated. Make sure to keep a water bottle with you at all times and take regular breaks throughout the day to sip on some fluids. Here at AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst, we want to help you stay hydrated and healthy.