Dehydration treatment involves replenishing lost fluids. For mild cases, you can manage it at home by drinking water or an oral rehydration solution. But if dehydration is severe, drinking water might not be enough—medical attention is needed right away. Every organ in your body relies on water to work properly, and dehydration can quickly affect organ function.
Image: Dehydration treatment – an unrecognizable patient in bed with an IV drip
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Causes and Symptoms of Dehydration
Causes
Common reasons for dehydration include:
- Not being able to drink enough water
- Certain medications
- Diarrhea
- Exercise
- Fever
- Heat and heavy sweating
- Frequent urination
- Some acute or chronic health conditions
- Vomiting
Infants and older adults face a higher risk of dehydration.
Babies’ underdeveloped systems may struggle to take in enough fluids or handle certain ingredients. Older adults might have trouble swallowing, chronic health issues that make staying hydrated difficult, or take medications that raise dehydration risk.
Symptoms
Mild dehydration can cause:
- Dark or less urine
- Dry or cracked lips
- Dry skin
- Feeling thirstier
As dehydration worsens, symptoms become more serious and can include:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Faster heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Low blood pressure
Chronic Dehydration: How to Rehydrate When Symptoms Persist
When to Get Emergency Help
Severe dehydration can harm your heart, lungs, kidneys, and more. Watch for these warning signs that need immediate medical care:
- Little or no urination
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Passing out
- Dangerously low blood pressure
- Weakness
At this stage, drinking water usually isn’t possible. Someone severely dehydrated likely can’t drink enough to recover, and weakness may make swallowing hard.
How Doctors Diagnose Dehydration
A healthcare provider will check for physical signs like dry skin or reduced skin elasticity and ask about dry mouth, dry eyes, or cracked lips. They’ll also monitor vital signs, which can reveal dehydration through:
- Fever
- Fast heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Low blood pressure
- Changes in urine (amount and appearance)
Blood and urine tests help assess kidney function and check for electrolyte imbalances—especially sodium and potassium levels.
IV Fluids for Severe Dehydration
Severe dehydration can be life-threatening if untreated. Since severely dehydrated people may be too weak to swallow or even unconscious, doctors use intravenous (IV) fluids.
If you don’t already have an IV, a healthcare provider will insert one and carefully administer fluids. Because complications can happen, this should only be done under medical supervision.
Mild Dehydration Can Be Managed at Home
For mild cases, you can rehydrate by drinking more fluids. It’s important to figure out whether dehydration is from not drinking enough or losing too much water (like from sweating, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea). Illness-related fluid loss also depletes electrolytes like sodium and potassium.
If vomiting or diarrhea is causing dehydration, oral rehydration therapy (ORT) can help. Products like Pedialyte or Hydralyte work, or you can make a simple ORT solution at home with water, sugar, and salt.
Summary
Dehydration ranges from mild (with symptoms like headaches and dry mouth, treatable at home) to severe (requiring emergency care). Infants and older adults are especially vulnerable. If you’re worried about hydration—for yourself or someone else—talk to a healthcare provider.