Causes of Dehydration ***

Many conditions may cause rapid and continued fluid losses and lead to dehydration:

 ~*~ Fever, heat exposure, and too much exercise.

 ~*~ Vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination due to infection.

 ~*~ Diseases such as diabetes.

 ~*~ The inability to seek appropriate water and food (as in the case of a disabled person).

 ~*~ An impaired ability to drink (for instance, someone in a coma or on a respirator).

 ~*~ No access to safe drinking water.

 ~*~ Significant injuries to skin, such as burns or mouth sores, or severe skin diseases or infections (water is lost through the damaged skin).


Dehydration is more likely to occur in:

 ~*~ Babies under the age of 1 year (and particularly those under 6 months old). This is because babies don't need to lose much fluid to lose a significant proportion of their total body fluid.

 ~*~ Babies under the age of 1 year who were a low birth weight and who have not caught up with their weight.

 ~*~ A breast-fed baby who has stopped breast-feeding during their illness.

 ~*~ Any baby or child who does not drink much when they have gastroenteritis.

 ~*~ Any baby or child with severe diarrhoea and vomiting.

 ~*~ Elderly or frail people.

 ~*~ Pregnant women.

 ~*~ People with severe diarrhoea and vomiting. In particular, if you are not able to replace the fluid lost with enough drinks.




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