What is Dehydration?
Dehydration occurs when your body doesn’t have the hydration it needs to function properly. When the normal water content of your body reduces, the balance of minerals in your body is affected, which leads to issues with functioning. At University Urgent Care, our doctors can help treat dehydration in patients of all ages. We can help address the cause and symptoms associated with dehydration. Our ER doctors and nurse practitioners in Fort Worth, TX serve the Frisco Heights, Tanglewood, Paschal, and TCU neighborhood areas.
Signs of dehydration
Severe dehydration can cause serious health issues when left untreated. Mild symptoms can usually be treated at home, but pregnant women, the elderly, and infants should all be treated by our physicians at an urgent care center when they suspect that they are dehydrated. Some common dehydration symptoms include:
- Dry mouth
- Swollen tongue
- Extreme thirst
- Muscle weakness
- Dizziness
- Exhaustion
- Decreased or dark-colored urine
- Confusion
- Causes of dehydration
Dehydration can be caused by excessive sweating, not consuming enough fluids, excessive vomiting, or illness. It is usually caused when not enough fluid is consumed to replace what you have lost. Some healthy individuals experience this, especially if it is hot or humid and they are embarking on extreme physical exercise. Your diet can also contribute to getting dehydrated.
- Who is most at risk for dehydration?
- Anyone can become dehydrated, but certain people are more at risk, including:
- Babies and infants: Since they have low body weight, babies and infants are sensitive to small amounts of fluid loss.
- Elderly: The elderly are usually less aware that they are becoming dehydrated.
- Chronically-ill individuals: Those with diabetes or other chronic illness are more at risk of becoming dehydrated.
- Athletes: They can lose large amounts of body fluid through sweat when exercising for long periods of time.
- Seeking medical care for dehydration
When you begin to experience symptoms of dehydration, you should seek urgent care help. At University Urgent Care in Fort Worth, TX, we specialize in assessing your symptoms and learning the best way to rehydrate you based on your health. If you are experiencing chest pain or confusion, please visit the local emergency room. If you visit our urgent care center and your condition begins to worsen, we may also suggest emergency care too.
IV treatment for dehydration
If your symptoms are stable, we will offer intravenous rehydration fluids. These fluids contain a combination of sodium and chlorine, which replace any lost electrolytes. We also will perform lab work, which will allow us to check your level further to determine if additional treatment is needed.
IV fluids are better than drinking water since they allow you to begin hydrating immediately as they go right into the bloodstream, causing you to feel better faster. For those that are nauseous, it’s also a better option as drinking water may trigger more vomiting and worsen your dehydration. We can also add supplements to your IV, when needed, to help relieve a headache or nausea.
Tips for staying hydrated
Make sure that you’re continuously drinking fluids, especially while in hot weather or while exercising. Monitor your urine color for signs that you’re becoming, or are currently, dehydrated. We want our urine to be clear or light yellow, as opposed to dark yellow or brown. The old adage of eight glasses a day is no longer applicable to everyone. Our doctors suggest 11 –12 glasses a day for those with an active lifestyle or who are in a hot climate. If you’re sick, drink as many fluids as you can to prevent dehydration from occurring. Eat hydrating foods, such as melons, berries, grapes, or lettuce, to up your water intake throughout the day too.
Seek urgent care help for dehydration treatment
At University Urgent Care in Fort Worth, TX, we help patients who are dehydrated to restore their health. Untreated dehydration can cause severe health issues. If you’re suffering from dehydration symptoms, visit our urgent care center conveniently located in Fort Worth, TX, serving Frisco Heights, Tanglewood, Paschal, and TCU neighborhood areas. We also can offer telehealth virtual visits for those who want our medical help from the comfort of their own home.