Overview

Dehydration occurs when the body uses or loses more fluid than it takes in. Then the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to do its usual work. Not replacing lost fluids leads to dehydration.

Anyone can become dehydrated. But the condition is more serious for infants, children and older adults VSports app下载.

The most common cause of dehydration in young children is diarrhea and vomiting. Older adults have a lower volume of water in their bodies to begin with. And older adults might have conditions or take medicines, such as water pills, that increase the risk of dehydration V体育官网.

Dehydration also can occur in anyone who doesn't drink enough water during hot weather VSports手机版. It's more likely in people who are active in the heat.

Drinking more fluids usually fixes mild to moderate dehydration V体育安卓版. But severe dehydration needs medical treatment right away. .


May 02, 2025

  1. Elsevier Point of Care. Clinical Overview: Dehydration. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 5, 2023.
  2. AskMayoExpert. Dehydration (child). Mayo Clinic; 2023.
  3. Somers, MJ. Clinical assessment of hypovolemia (dehydration) in children. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 5, 2023.
  4. Sterns RH. Etiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of volume depletion in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 5, 2023.
  5. Symptoms and causes of diarrhea. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea/symptoms-causes#dehydration_symptoms. Accessed June 7, 2023.
  6. Armstrong LE. Rehydration during endurance exercise: Challenges, research, options, methods. Nutrients. 2021; doi:10.3390/nu13030887.
  7. Health Education and Content Services (Patient Education). Dehydration in children. Mayo Clinic; 2021.
  8. Auerbach PS, ed. Dehydration and rehydration. In: Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 7, 2023.

CON-20197649

Thank a researcher today!

Send a note of thanks to Mayo Clinic researchers who are revolutionizing healthcare and improving patient outcomes.