You become dehydrated if your body loses a significant amount of water at a rate that is greater than it is being replenished. Mild or severe dehydration is determined by the rate at which fluid is lost and what causes it. Mild dehydration is easily taken care of by resting and consuming more fluids, but the worse the condition, the further up one should proceed to the urgent care center. In this blog, we’ll explore the symptoms and causes of dehydration, as well as when it might be time to seek professional treatment.
For same-day mild to moderate dehydration treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston. Our board-certified medical team is available to provide immediate and preventive care 7 days a week. Just walk in or plan your visit in advance below!
Signs of Mild and Severe Dehydration
In mild and moderate cases, you might feel the following:
- Dry tongue or mouth
- Feeling weak
- General fatigue
- Light-headedness and dizziness
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
For severe dehydration, you’ll notice the following:
- Sunken eyes
- Increased heart rate
- Fever
- Reduced blood pressure
- Dark-coloured urine
- Feeling faint
- Chills
Causes of Severe Dehydration
1. Vomiting
Whenever your body starts to experience frequent and excessive vomiting, it becomes impossible to rehydrate properly, and dehydration sets in. This may happen for many reasons, including the presence of illness or irritant exposure. So the regular vomiting should be dealt with and a proper method of fluid replacement should be followed, like oral rehydration therapy.
2. Sweating
Profuse sweating then initiates dehydration, especially when fluid replacement is not readily available. This is fairly common with people who live in areas with really hot climates or do highly strenuous activities.
3. Food Poisoning
Food poisoning generally does not result in a directly associated complication like severe dehydration. But severe food poisoning instances can have rampant sweating and diarrhea that can also result in high fluid loss or dehydration.
4. Consumption of Medication, Alcohol, and Caffeine
Dehydration can also develop from certain medications and heavy drinking. Due to their cytogenetic properties, antibiotics, alcohol, and caffeine are diuretics that inhibit the body’s ability to retain water, causing quick excretion of liquids from the kidneys and bladders.
Tips To Prevent Dehydration
- Up your electrolyte intake or your fluid intake
- Avoid strenuous activities or hot environments
- Avoid consuming stale or poorly prepared food
- Cover up your body and remember to drink lots of water in cold weather
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Take moderate amounts of caffeine from coffee or caffeinated beverages
- Make use of oral rehydration therapy, or ORT, to help replenish the body fluid and help with fluid retention
For severe dehydration, it’s a situation you can’t just treat at home. You should seek professional treatment. An urgent care center can treat non-life-threatening dehydration, but severe cases should be treated at the ER.
Get Walk-In Dehydration Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Livingston
Dehydration can range from mild to severe, and knowing when to seek medical attention is key to preventing complications. While minor dehydration can often be managed at home with rest and increased fluid intake, more serious symptoms warrant a prompt visit to urgent care. At AFC Urgent Care Livingston, our experienced providers can assess your condition and help you recover safely and quickly. If you need immediate or preventive care this summer, come visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston. Our providers are here 7 days a week to provide quick and professional care, helping you enjoy a safe and healthy summer. We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about our services, contact us directly at (973) 601-2626.
