What are the Signs and Symptoms of Severe Dehydration?

It's no secret that dehydration is one of the world's biggest problems. Consider this fact: only one in every four people is actually hydrated! Chances are you've felt the effects of dehydration yourself before - and you may not have even known it.

What are the signs and symptoms of severe dehydration, exactly? In this in-depth article, we're going to cover all of them for you. From the common signs and symptoms of severe dehydration like headache or fatigue to more obscure ailments like brain fog, poor skin, and more - you'll soon know what to look for as a telltale sign that you (or someone around you) is dehydrated. Better yet, we'll teach you what to do about it as we unveil the #1 way to rehydrate fast.

First, allow us to explain the importance of knowing what the signs and symptoms of severe dehydration are in the first place.

Why Knowing the Signs and Symptoms of Severe Dehydration is Important

Did you know that by the time you feel thirsty, it's too late - you're already dehydrated? It's true. In fact, thirst is only one of the many signs and symptoms of severe dehydration. The problem is that by the time you feel thirsty, your body has already begun to experience some serious effects from dehydration.

This is why it's so important to know what other signs and symptoms of severe dehydration to look for in yourself and others around you. Dehydration can happen to anyone at any time - even if you think you're drinking enough water. In fact, dehydration is one of the main reasons why people visit their doctor or end up in the hospital each year.

By knowing what to look for, you can start to address the root cause of your symptoms ASAP. But, if you don't realize that what you're feeling is actually a symptom of severe dehydration, you may not do anything about it until it's too late. With that said, let's address the main question at hand today: what are the signs and symptoms of severe dehydration?

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Severe Dehydration?

Ready to discover all the different signs and symptoms of severe dehydration?

There are many ailments or signs that indicate you are severely dehydrated - however, many of these could exist with no relation to dehydration at all. It's important to look for groupings of these signs and symptoms together. With that said, any one of these is cause for concern and something that no healthy, functioning person should experience.

So, without any further ado, here are the most important severe dehydration signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for...starting with the most common one: a headache.

Headache

This is one of the first and most common signs that you're dehydrated. When you don't have enough fluids in your body, your blood volume decreases. This decrease in blood volume can lead to less oxygen being delivered to your brain, which can then lead to a headache. The worse your headache gets, the more dehydrated you are. If you let it go long enough, it could turn into a migraine.

Dry Mouth or Thirst

This is perhaps the second most common sign of dehydration. The reason we didn't put it first is that by the time you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Thirst is your body's way of telling you that it needs more water - and if it has to tell you this, chances are, symptoms like a headache have already crept in and disrupted the brain or body's natural processes.

Having a dry mouth is another common sign of dehydration. When you're dehydrated, your body doesn't produce as much saliva as it needs to keep your mouth moist. This can lead to a host of problems like bad breath, gum disease, and more.

Fatigue or Weakness

Feeling tired all the time could be a sign that you're not getting enough fluids each day. When you're dehydrated, your body doesn't have enough water to deliver oxygen to your cells, which can lead to fatigue and weakness.

Chronic dehydration leads to chronic fatigue - and at a certain point, this will become your "new normal". Only once you get properly rehydrated will you realize how awful you felt.

Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps are often a sign that you've lost electrolytes like sodium and potassium through sweat. These electrolytes are essential for muscle function, so when they're depleted, you may experience cramping.

This one is especially common in athletes who push their bodies to the limits. However, you may feel muscle cramps sitting at home or at your office desk if you're severely dehydrated too.

Dizziness or Lightheadedness

If you're feeling dizzy or lightheaded, it could be a sign that you need more fluids. When you don't have enough fluids in your body, your blood pressure can drop and cause you to feel dizzy. If your dehydration has reached this point, it is considered severe.

Dark Urine or Infrequent Urination

If your urine is dark yellow or brown, it's a sign that you're not drinking enough fluids. When your body doesn't have enough water, it will start to hold onto what little it has - which can lead to dark urine.

Now, taking certain vitamins (like Vitamin B) will result in darker urine for a period of time - even if you're hydrated. So, you'll have to take this one with a grain of salt. If you just took the daily dose of your multivitamin, don't freak out at the first sight of yellow urine. However, if you know that you're behind on your water intake, you haven't taken any sort of vitamins, and your pee is a bright neon yellow - it's a sign you're severely dehydrated.

Similarly, you can take note of how frequently you're urinating. Going to the bathroom less than usual is another common sign of dehydration. When you don't have enough fluids in your body, your kidneys will hold onto what little they have - which can lead to infrequent urination.

Constipation

Not getting enough fluids can also lead to constipation. When you're dehydrated, your intestine will absorb more water from your stool - making it harder to pass. If you're severely dehydrated, you may experience hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass. This can be painful and lead to other problems like hemorrhoids.

Lack of Perspiration

If you're not sweating when you should be, it could be a sign that you're dehydrated. When your body is trying to conserve what little water it has, it will stop sweating as a way to prevent further water loss.

This is your body's natural cooling system, and it kicks on to protect you from overheating. That said, when your body cannot justify turning on this cooling system, it shows there is severe dehydration going on internally. Left unchecked, this could turn into heat exhaustion - which requires immediate medical attention.

Of course, there are other reasons why you might not be sweating - like if you're in an air-conditioned room or if you have a medical condition that prevents sweat gland function. But, if none of these apply to you and you're still not sweating, dehydration may be the cause.

Fever

A fever is another common sign of dehydration - especially in children. When your body doesn't have enough fluids, it can't sweat properly. This means your body can't regulate its temperature as efficiently, which can lead to a fever.

Nausea or Vomiting

If you're feeling nauseous or vomiting, it's a sign that you need to rehydrate ASAP. Dehydration can cause your stomach to upset and make you feel nauseous. This creates a vicious cycle as the more you vomit, the more dehydrated you become. At this point, an IV drip is necessary to help you keep the vital fluids down.

Loss of Consciousness

This is the most severe symptom on this list and requires immediate medical attention. If you or someone you know has lost consciousness due to dehydration, call 911 immediately. Dehydration that leads to unconsciousness can be life-threatening. You'll want to get yourself - or the person in question - to the hospital for an immediate IV drip.

How to Treat The Root Cause of These Dehydration Signs and Symptoms Fast

There you have it - we've answered the question you came here with: what are the signs of severe dehydration? You should now feel confident identifying these yourself or in someone else - like a child. But, now the question is...what do you do about it? The obvious first step to beating dehydration is to consume fluids.

Water Alone Isn't Enough

Here's the tricky part though: water alone isn't enough to beat dehydration. Especially severe dehydration that has resulted in any of the signs and symptoms we mentioned above.

At this point, you need a more robust solution. You need a fluid that will not only hydrate your body, but also replenish the electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals you've lost. That's where IV hydration therapy comes in.

Wait - what is IV hydration therapy? This is a treatment where you are administered fluids through an IV drip. The fluids contain a concoction of vitamins and minerals to help you beat dehydration fast. You may be able to find a hydration IV service near you - if not, a hospital can administer fluids in an emergency situation. There are also ways you can get IV hydration at home.

But, when you consider how long IV hydration therapy lasts and how much IV hydration therapy costs, it quickly becomes evident that this should be limited to health emergencies only. In any other case, you need something more convenient and affordable. Something you can grab at a moment's notice when you start to feel these signs and symptoms. And that's where SkyMD comes in.

Beat Dehydration and Feel Better Fast With SkyMD!

Our water hydration packets are the #1 solution for when you feel the signs and symptoms of dehydration. Better yet, you can consume 2-3 packets and say goodbye to dehydration and the nasty symptoms that accompany it for good!

Our formulation offers all the benefits of traditional IV hydration therapy at a fraction of the cost and from the convenience of your water bottle. It's all possible through our revolutionary Hydration Boost Technology (HBT)™ - which consists of a proprietary balance of sodium, glucose, magnesium, and potassium. This unique delivery system results in the rapid absorption of vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes by your body.

While all of our formulas are focused on dehydration first and foremost, we have targeted solutions for sleep, energy, and immunity too. Making SkyMD part of your life will transform the way you feel and how you perform. With SkyMD, you can give your water purpose and help it work up to 3x more efficiently - avoiding the horrible symptoms of severe dehydration altogether. So, what are you waiting for? Learn more over on our site.

Wrapping Up Our Breakdown of the Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Severe Dehydration

At this point, you know all about the various signs and symptoms of severe dehydration. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention right away as severe dehydration can lead to serious health complications.

Fortunately, by making SkyMD a part of your daily routine, you can avoid ever experiencing these symptoms again. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel with regular consumption of SkyMd - see the difference firsthand. You won't regret it!