Signs and symptoms of dehydration 

Staying hydrated is essential for our health, but the University of Florida says that three-fourths of Americans don't drink enough water. Dehydration is caused when our bodies lose more fluids than we take in. WebMD explains that we naturally lose fluids daily through everything from the water vapor in our breath to our urine and sweat. 
But oftentimes we forget to drink up amid our busy lives and strenuous workouts. The problem is, not getting enough water can cause serious symptoms. For that reason, it's important to understand the signs of dehydration, even at its mildest form, so that you can keep your body — which is 60 percent water — running smoothly. 
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The symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration, according to the Mayo Clinic, are:
- Dry, sticky-feeling mouth
- Sleepiness or tiredness — children less active than usual
- Thirst
- Reduced urine output
- In infants, no wet diapers for three hours 
- Few or no tears when crying
- Dry skin
- Headache
- Constipation
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Whereas the symptoms of severe dehydration include:
- Extreme thirst
- Extreme fussiness and/or sleepiness in infants and children
- In adults, irritability and confusion 
- Very dry mouth, skin and mucous membranes
- Little or no urination, or very dark urine
- Sunken eyes
- Shriveled, dry skin with no elasticity that doesn't rebound when pinched into a fold
- In infants, sunken fontanels, the soft spot on the top of a baby's head
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- No tears when crying
- Fever
- In the most serious cases, delirium or unconsciousness
It's also important to point out that because some of these symptoms may be hard to pinpoint, a great way to tell whether you're dehydrated or not is to check the color of your urine. If your urine is dark yellow, you are dehydrated.
Causes
There are many conditions and even activities, according to WebMD,  that can lead to rapid fluid loss, and thus dehydration:
- Fever
- Heat exposure
- 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)
- No access to safe drinking water
- Significant injuries to skin, such as burns or mouth sores, or severe skin diseases or infections (in this case, water is lost through skin that's been damaged)
When to seek treatment
See your doctor when you've tried to treat your dehydration by drinking more water but you experience the following, according to WebMD:
- Increased or constant vomiting for more than a day
- Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius)
- Diarrhea for longer than two days
- Weight loss 
- Reduced urine production
- Confusion
- Weakness
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Seek emergency medical attention if you experience...
- Fever higher than 103 degrees F (39.4 degrees C)
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Headache 
- Seizures 
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest or abdominal pains
- Fainting
- No urine in the last 12 hours
Resources WebMD and Mayo Clinic
RemedyDaily.com does not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.