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Dehydration

If you are not properly hydrated, your body may not have enough fluid to properly function.
If you feel dehydrated, it’s best to seek medical attention and help your body recover as
soon as possible.

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How can you tell if you’re dehydrated?

The signs and symptoms of dehydration can vary by age, and being thirsty isn’t always a reliable indicator of dehydration. Dehydration symptoms include:
  • Dry tongue and/or mouth

  • Crying with no tears

  • Sunken eyes or cheeks

  • Irritability

  • Rapid breathing

  • No wet diaper in 3+ hours

  • Less frequent urination

  • Dark-colored urine

  • Extreme thirst

  • Dizziness

  • Fatigue

  • Confusion

  • Headache

  • Feeling unusually tired or confused

  • Dizziness when standing up

  • Not passing urine for 8+ hours

  • Weak pulse

  • Rapid pulse

What causes dehydration?

The cause of dehydration can often be simple. If you are sick, busy or lack safe drinking water, you may not be drinking enough water to properly hydrate your body. Other causes of dehydration can include:

  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea

  • Fever

  • Excessive sweating

  • Increased urination

If you are unsure of the cause of your dehydration or have several other symptoms, it is best to visit an urgent care center near you so a medical provider can treat all your symptoms and determine the root cause of your illness.

How can I treat dehydration at home?

The best way to treat dehydration is to rehydrate the body and drink fluids like water, diluted fruit juice or rehydration solutions (Pedialyte). A sweet drink and salty snack can help replace lost sugar and salt in the body. Other treatment includes:

It is best to seek help from a medical professional for babies. In the meantime, give them
plenty of liquids like breast milk or formula. Oftentimes, it is better to give them smaller
amounts of fluids more often.

Give them an oral rehydration solution, like Pedialyte. Water alone may dilute the minerals
in their body, so they will need help maintaining their nutrient intake.

Seek medical attention immediately. It is not recommended to treat severe dehydration at
home.

Dehydration FAQs

Call a doctor or urgent care clinic if you or your family member:

  • Has had diarrhea for 24+ hours

  • Can’t keep fluids down

  • Is irritable, disoriented and/or much sleepier or less active than usual

  • Has black or bloody stool

  • Infants and children

  • Older adults

  • People with chronic illnesses

  • People who exercise or work outside

Yes. Severe dehydration can cause some serious complications, including:

  • Heat exhaustion or heatstroke

  • Electrolyte imbalances

  • Urinary or kidney issues

  • Seizures

  • Low blood volume (hypovolemic) shock

Drinking fluids and eating foods with high water content, like fruits and vegetables, are the
best ways to prevent dehydration. Listen to your body and drink water when you are thirsty.
You may need more water under certain conditions like vomiting or diarrhea, hot or cold
weather, heavy exercise or another illness.

When should you visit urgent care for dehydration?

If you or a family member is experiencing dehydration symptoms, it is important to seek
medical attention. Check in online or walk in to a WellNow location nearest you.

This medical information has been reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Robert Biernbaum, Chief Medical Officer for WellNow Urgent Care.

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Symptoms We Treat

WellNow Urgent Care is dedicated to help you feel better, faster. Our dedicated medical team employs a comprehensive approach to treat your symptoms — as well as any illnesses or injuries they may stem from — to help you get better, faster.

This list contains our most commonly treated illnesses and symptoms. If you are
experiencing an illness not listed or are unsure of the source of your discomfort, visit a
WellNow location near you
or start a virtual care session.

A - M

Back Pain
Bruises
Dehydration
Eye Complaints
Earaches
Fever
Foot Pain