Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than you take in, and your body doesnt have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. It can happen when your body loses too much fluid, such as through sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, or when you dont drink enough water. Certain medications like diuretics (water pills) can also result in increased urination and dehydration. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on how much fluid is missing from your body.

Symptoms of dehydration can include thirst, dry mouth, and less urine. Signs of mild or moderate dehydration include dry or sticky mouth, dark yellow urine, dry, cool skin, headache, dizziness, or light-headedness. In severe cases, dehydration can cause serious problems, such as confusion, rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes, cheeks, and soft spot on top of the skull, and even death.

Anyone can become dehydrated, but certain groups are particularly at risk, such as babies and young children, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses. Its important to increase water intake during hot weather or when youre ill, and to replace lost fluids when youre sweating or experiencing diarrhea or vomiting. You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment[[5]](https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dehydration...