Urgent Care for Dehydration
Though it often goes overlooked, dehydration can actually lead to serious complications if left untreated. Fortunately, most cases of dehydration can be resolved quickly by seeking medical attention.
What Causes Dehydration?
Dehydration occurs as a result of the body not getting enough water to function properly. Your body’s cells require a certain amount of fluid in order to maintain balance, and when this is thrown off, numerous symptoms begin to develop. While dehydration often occurs with exercise and physical exertion, vomiting and diarrhea (especially in the case of norovirus or a similar ailment) can quickly lead to severe dehydration, which can be deadly.
What are the Symptoms of Dehydration?
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Excessive Thirst
- Dry Mouth
- Muscle Cramps
Be sure to contact your treatment provider in the case of any of the following symptoms:
- Extreme Fatigue
- Mental Confusion
- Heart Palpitations
Diagnosing & Treating Dehydration
Dehydration can usually be diagnosed based upon physical signs and symptoms. In some cases or when pinpointing causes of dehydration is necessary, blood tests and urinalysis may be utilized, which can show to which degree a person is dehydrated.
Treatment for dehydration involves replacing lost fluids and electrolytes. This can be accomplished in cases of minor dehydration with oral replenishment solutions, while moderate and/or severe cases of dehydration are typically treated with IV fluids. Children and the elderly are especially susceptible to dehydration and may be treated in this manner so as to facilitate a quick recovery period.
In children, dehydration results most often from vomiting, diarrhea or refusal of water for oral intake. Oral rehydration therapy is most commonly employed as treatment for dehydration in pediatric patients, though there may be scenarios in which intravenous fluid therapy is necessary. Normal diet should be resumed as soon as rehydration has been completed in patients suffering from gastroenteritis.
Dehydration Can Be Dangerous—Visit ConvenientMD Today to Get Treated!
Most people will experience dehydration at some point in their lives, but in certain cases, it can be dangerous and even lead to death if not addressed appropriately. At ConvenientMD, we treat cases of dehydration on a regular basis and have the knowledge and experience it takes to get you feeling back to normal quickly and effectively.
Ready to feel better? Just stop into any one of our locations without ever needing to make an appointment.