What You Can Do When Dehydration Strikes

The perils of dehydration are not new. Most of us have heard about the symptoms that often accompany this potentially life-threatening condition, but a refresher may help save you from having to make a trip to an ER near you.

The Symptoms Will Not Be the Same for Everyone

In adults, the symptoms of dehydration can be as innocuous as extreme thirst and less frequent urination – or as extreme as dizziness and confusion.

But since babies are unable to convey their thirst, their symptoms are often more severe when first noticed by a parent.

These include a lack of tears when the child is crying, a dry mouth and tongue, excessive fatigue or fussiness, and a visible appearance of sunken cheeks and eyes.

Keep in mind that these symptoms can also be the signal of a condition other than dehydration, but in either case, you should seek 24-hour pediatric emergency services for your child, or a 24-hour emergency room near 77079 if it’s you who are experiencing the adult symptoms noted.

Some Common Causes of Dehydration in Patients of All Ages

One of the most common causes of dehydration in children and adults is excessive vomiting and diarrhea, since these conditions result in an extreme loss of water and electrolytes – a grouping calcium, sodium, magnesium, and potassium.

The human body needs these important minerals to carry the necessary electrical energy required to perform functions such as muscle contractions and the relay of nerve impulses.

Another common cause of dehydration is excessive sweating.

In adults, this can occur from exercising or working outside in the heat without replenishing the electrolytes that are lost through the normal process of sweating.

In children and adults, excessive sweating and loss of electrolytes may stem from a high fever.

Any time a fever continues for more than 24-hours, it’s recommended to seek an emergency room in 77079 for medical supervision and immediate rehydration to prevent complications.

Older Adults and Certain Medical Conditions Create an Increased Risk Factor

It’s not just babies that are considered to be at a high risk for complications from dehydration.

The Mayo Clinic reports that older adults are at an increased risk since the human body is less able to conserve water as it ages due to the sense of thirst being less acute than in younger years.

They go on to report that people with chronic illnesses, such as kidney disease and diabetes, are also at an increased risk of dehydration.

Also, it’s important to point out that certain medications can have a side effect of possible dehydration since they can affect the body’s need to urinate.

If you wonder about the side effects from any medication that you or a family member may be taking, your pharmacist is a great first-point of contact to ask questions.

If you do find that you need to visit an emergency room near you, try to remember to take a list of your current medications with you so the doctors and other medical staff will have the information they need to develop a treatment plan without contraindications.

Take Care to Protect Your Baby from the Texas Heat

As mentioned, one of the major contributors to dehydration is excessive heat. And since it’s hot in Houston, dehydration is one of the more common conditions we treat at Memorial Village ER.

Because of our high standards in emergency care, we’re well-equipped to handle any temperature Mother Nature inflicts on you or your child.

Our facility can provide rapid-result testing to check for electrolyte levels in our COLA-certified laboratory.

Plus, we have a pediatric emergency room dedicated to top-tier treatment for children in a state-of-the-art kid-friendly pediatric treatment area.

In addition to dehydration, our pediatric emergency care in Houston can provide treatment for conditions such as bone fractures, ear infections, animal bites, allergic reactions, and more.

Our Promise to Patients of All Ages

At Memorial Village ER, our streamlined admission process allows time for nurses and physicians to spend the quality time you or your loved one deserves for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

And when it comes times for discharge, you will have a complete understanding of not only what we treated, but instructions, prescriptions, and copies of your lab work and imaging (if performed) so you can make a seamless transition home.