Discharge Instructions - Dehydration

As discussed in the Emergency Department prior to discharge, you have been diagnosed with dehydration.  Dehydration is the term doctors use when the body loses too much water.  Losing too much water is a problem, because the body needs a certain amount of water to work normally.  Another word doctors sometimes use is "hypovolemia."

Dehydration can be mild or severe.  Mild dehydration doesn't usually cause problems.  But if mild dehydration isn't treated, it can get worse.  Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening.

Dehydration happens when your body loses more water than you take in from drinking and eating.

It's normal for people to lose some water from their bodies every day, for example, in their urine and bowel movements.  But some things make people lose a lot of water. In children, this can include: vomiting, diarrhea, a high fever, and problems or medicines that cause a person to urinate more than usual.

Some things keep people from taking in enough water.  For example, children might not drink or eat if they have an upset stomach or sore throat.

As dehydration gets worse, it can cause symptoms such as:

    -Feeling thirsty

    -Urinating less often, or having dark yellow or brown urine

    -A dry mouth or cracked lips

    -Feeling tired or confused

    -Feeling dizzy or light-headed

    -Eyes that look sunken in the face

Severe dehydration can make people stop breathing normally or go into a coma.

It is important that you drink plenty of fluid over the next 24 to 48 hours.  You can drink water but should also try to take in rehydration fluids such as Pedialyte, Gatorade or other sports drinks.  You can also take in soups or broths to increase fluid intake.  You may not have much of an appetite in the next few days, which is normal as long as you are still taking in plenty of fluids.

A helpful way to monitor your fluid intake is to watch your urine output.  You should be urinating throughout the day such that your urine is light yellow or clear in color.  Dark yellow or brown urine may be an indication of dehydration, though certain medications can also alter the color of your urine.

Return to the Emergency Department for significant back pain, inability to tolerate fluids by mouth despite treatment, not passing urine for more than 6 hours despite multiple attempts, or any new or concerning symptoms.