Key facts

Dehydration occurs when you don't have enough fluid in your body. It can cause symptoms like thirstiness, dry mouth and headache. Severe dehydration can be life threatening, especially for babies, young children and older people. You can prevent dehydration by drinking enough fluids. If you are concerned about dehydration, speak to your doctor.

On this page

What is dehydration? What symptoms are related to dehydration? What causes dehydration? How is dehydration diagnosed? When should I see my doctor? How is dehydration treated? What are the complications of dehydration? Can dehydration be prevented? Resources and support Related information on Australian websites

What is dehydration?

Dehydration occurs when you don't have enough fluid in your body. If you are dehydrated, your body can't function properly.

Your body needs fluids to:

keep your body temperature stable move nutrients around your body move waste out of your body

When your body has enough water to work properly, you are hydrated.

What symptoms are related to dehydration?

If you have mild to moderate dehydration, you might:

be thirsty have a dry mouth, lips and tongue be dizzy or light-headed, particularly when standing up have a headache have dark urine (wee) wee a less than usual have a fever

Signs of mild dehydration in babies and toddlers include fewer wet nappies or nappies that are not as wet as usual. Older children may not go to the toilet as often.

If you have severe dehydration, you might:

be extremely thirsty be breathing fast, have a fast heart rate and have low blood pressure be irritable, tired, or confused have cold hands and feet be pale have sunken eyes

Babies who are severely dehydrated may have a sunken fontanelle. The fontanelle is the soft spot on top of your baby's head.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes dehydration?

Dehydration can happen when your body loses too much fluid.

You might become dehydrated if you:

don't drink enough water have severe vomiting or diarrhoea have a fever drink too much alcohol do strenuous exercise, especially in hot weather take certain medicines, such as diuretics have diabetes

Some people have a higher chance of becoming dehydrated. This includes:

babies young children older adults

Dehydration in babies and young children

Babies and young children have a higher chance of becoming dehydrated than adults.

A baby or young child can quickly become dehydrated if they:

are vomiting have a fever have diarrhoea are unwell for any reason are not feeding or drinking enough

Dehydration in older people

Older people can become more easily dehydrated because of:

poor kidney function limited mobility use of medicines such as diuretics

Dehydration in older people can cause problems such as:

confusion constipation falls stroke

Older people may not notice that they are feeling thirsty. If you're caring for an older person, remind them to drink regularly.

How is dehydration diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. They may recommend tests, such as a urine test or blood tests.

This way, they can investigate what is causing your dehydration.

When should I see my doctor?

If you are concerned that you are dehydrated, see your doctor.

See your doctor as soon as possible if your baby is under 6 months old and has signs of mild dehydration. Young babies can go from mild to severe dehydration very quickly.

When to seek urgent care

People of any age with severe dehydration need urgent medical care.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is dehydration treated?

Severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment. In hospital, you will get fluids through an intravenous (IV) drip.

Self-care at home

If you experience any mild symptoms of dehydration, you should:

move to a cool place loosen any tight clothing and remove unnecessary clothes drink small amounts of cool water regularly

Some fluids can make dehydration worse. You should avoid:

sugary drinks like soda and sports drinks caffeine alcohol

Medicines for dehydration

Oral rehydration solutions can help if you are dehydrated. You can find these in your pharmacy and supermarket. You can speak to your doctor or pharmacist about which solutions are best for you or your child.

You can also make a rehydration solution at home. In 1 litre of water, add:

6 teaspoons of sugar 1/2 a teaspoon of salt 1/2 a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate

You should speak to your doctor before giving homemade rehydration solution to your child. You should also check with your doctor first if you:

have diabetes are pregnant are breastfeeding

What are the complications of dehydration?

Being severely dehydrated can cause serious problems. It can impact your organs, such as your kidneys and your heart.

Severe dehydration can be life threatening.

Can dehydration be prevented?

To prevent dehydration, make sure you drink enough water each day.

As a general guide, children over 1 year old should drink around 1 to 2 litres a day.

Adults should drink around 2.1 to 2.6 litres of fluid a day.

Have extra fluids:

when you're exercising in hot weather when you're sick

Water is the best drink to hydrate your body.

Children under 6 months of age should not drink water or dairy milk. You can read about more hydration tips for children.

Resources and support

To learn more, read Kidney Health Australia's Drink Water Instead factsheet.

You can find information on dehydration in languages other than English through the Health Translations website.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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