Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

Initial dehydration symptoms:
• Dry mouth/tongue
• Thirst
• Tiredness/lethargy
• Flushed face
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Dizziness
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Dry and warm skin
• Less frequent urination
• Weakness
• Thick saliva

Severe dehydration symptoms:
• Fainting
• Severe cramping
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid deep breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Lack of elasticity of skin
• Extreme thirst
• Dark yellow urine
• Sunken eyes

Extreme effects:
• Convulsions
• Heart failure
• Death

Other symptoms in children:
• No tears when crying
• Listlessness
• No wet nappies for more than 3hrs
• Sunken abdomen, eyes, cheeks or fontanelle (infants)
• Skin doesn’t flatten when pinched


Sources:
Manawatu Standard. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Mar 4 2006. pg25
BusinessWorld. Manila: May 21, 2003. pg 1
The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Ga. Jul18, 2000. pg C4
New York Times. New York, N.Y: Jul 11, 2000. pg F8