Dehydration

Dehydration is the removal of water (hydor in ancient Greek) from an object. Medically, dehydration is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in which the body contains an insufficient volume of water for normal functioning.

Symptoms and prognosis

Symptoms may include headaches similar to what is experienced as a hangover, a sudden episode of visual snow, decreased blood pressure (hypotension), and dizziness or fainting when standing up due to orthostatic hypotension. Untreated dehydration generally results in delirium, unconsciousness, and death.

Related Topics:
Symptom - Headache - Hangover - Visual snow - Blood pressure - Hypotension - Dizziness - Fainting - Orthostatic hypotension - Delirium - Unconsciousness - Death

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Dehydration symptoms generally become noticeable after 2% of one's normal water volume has been lost. Initially, one experiences thirst and discomfort, possibly along with loss of appetite and dry skin. Athletes may suffer a loss of performance of up to 50%, and experience flushing, low endurance, rapid heart rates, elevated body temperatures, and rapid onset of fatigue.

Related Topics:
Thirst - Appetite - Skin - Athlete - Flushing - Heart rate - Fatigue

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The symptoms become increasingly severe with greater water loss. One's heart and respiration rates will increase to compensate for decreased plasma volume and blood pressure, while body temperature may rise due to decreased sweating. Around 5% to 6% water loss, one may become groggy or sleepy, experience headaches or nausea, and may feel tingling in one's limbs (paresthesia). With 10% to 15% fluid loss, muscles may become spastic, skin may shrivel and wrinkle, vision may dim, urination will be greatly reduced and may become painful, and delirium may begin. Losses of greater than 15% are usually fatal.

Related Topics:
Respiration - Plasma - Blood pressure - Sleep - Nausea - Paresthesia

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http://faculty.washington.edu/kepeter/118/notes/water_balance.htm

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