Dehydration

Overview

Dehydration means your body loses more fluids than you take in. If it's not treated, it can get worse and become a serious problem.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include: feeling thirstydark yellow, strong-smelling peepeeing less often than usualfeeling dizzy or lightheadedfeeling tireda dry mouth, lips and tonguesunken eyes Signs of dehydration in a baby may include: a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on top of their headsunken eyesfew or no tears when they crynot having many wet nappiesbeing drowsy or irritable

Causes

Dehydration can happen more easily if you: havediabeteshave been sick or have diarrhoeahave been in the sun too long (heatstroke)have drunk too much alcoholsweat a lot after exercisinghave a high temperaturetake medicines that make you pee more (diuretics)

Prevention

This video shows you how you can reduce the risk of dehydration.