5 signs of dehydration that are easily mistaken for fatigue

After a morning of work, many people think that the feeling of lethargy, headaches or decreased concentration is just due to lack of sleep, stress or not drinking coffee. However, according to Dr. Nguyen Tien Dao, Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System, this can also be an early manifestation of dehydration. The condition occurs when the body loses more fluid than it replenishes, often occurring when drinking less water, sweating a lot, staying in hot weather for a long time, fever, vomiting, diarrhea or taking drugs that increase urine excretion.

Dr. Dao said common signs include thirst, fatigue, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, decreased urination and dark yellow urine. These symptoms are quite vague so they can easily be ignored if the patient can still work and live normally.

Drowsiness and difficulty concentrating: As fluid levels decrease, the body must adjust its circulation and ability to dissipate heat. The patient may feel sluggish, drowsy, have difficulty maintaining attention, or become irritable. The US CDC also classifies reduced ability to recognize situations and judgment as a group of symptoms that can appear when the body is exposed to heat and dehydration. If fatigue subsides after resting in a cool place and drinking fluids, fluid deficiency may be a contributing factor.

Headache: Dehydration can be accompanied by a dull headache, especially after being out in the sun, exercising, drinking alcohol or forgetting to drink water for many hours. Headaches due to dehydration often appear with thirst, dry mouth, fatigue or dark urine. However, severe, sudden headaches, accompanied by high fever, stiff neck, weakness or confusion should be examined immediately, instead of self-treating by drinking more water.

Dizziness when standing up: When standing up, dehydrated people may feel dizzy, light-headed or lose their balance for a few seconds due to reduced circulatory fluid volume. This sign needs attention if it appears after excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea or taking diuretics. The patient should sit or lie down to avoid falling, then drink sips of water. If dizziness persists, faints or is accompanied by chest pain or difficulty breathing, you should see a doctor.

Thirst and dry mouth: Feeling thirsty, dry lips, dry tongue or little saliva are easy to recognize signals. People working in air-conditioned rooms may feel less hot but still lose water through breath and urine. Dry mouth can also be related to medications, mouth breathing, dental disease or certain medical conditions, so it should be considered along with other signs.

Urinating less or dark urine: Dark yellow urine, a strong odor, and decreased frequency of urination often indicate fluid retention. Light yellow is often more consistent with adequate fluid status. However, vitamins, medications, foods, and liver and kidney diseases can also change urine color. Brown urine like tea or cola, with blood, accompanied by severe muscle pain or swelling requires medical examination, should not be assumed to be dehydration.

Healthy adults can start by resting in a cool place and sipping water at regular intervals. There is no need to try to drink a large amount in a short period of time. The US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine suggest a reference level of about 3.7 liters of total water intake per day in men and 2.7 liters in women. This number includes water from beverages and foods, not the required amount of filtered water. Actual needs vary according to physical condition, exercise, weather, pregnancy, breastfeeding and illness.

Filtered water is usually suitable for normal activities and activities. Soup, milk, fruits and vegetables also contribute to hydration. People with vomiting or diarrhea may need oresol solution to replace both fluids and electrolytes. WHO recommends mixing the correct amount of water indicated on the package, using clean water and not increasing the thickness yourself. People with heart disease, kidney failure or who are being asked to limit fluids should ask their doctor about the appropriate amount of water and should not drastically increase the amount they drink.

You need to go to a medical facility if the patient is confused, faints, cannot drink, vomits continuously, barely urinates, has a fast heart rate, rapid breathing or the condition does not improve after rest and fluid replacement. Hot skin, altered consciousness, seizures, or elevated body temperature may suggest heat stroke and require emergency care.

Dehydration can also occur in infectious diseases that cause fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Drinking water only helps rehydrate, does not treat the cause of the disease. People with fever, cough, sore throat, rash, persistent diarrhea or severe abdominal pain should receive medical evaluation.

In addition to hand hygiene, eating clean meals and avoiding contact with disease sources, each person should review the vaccination schedule based on age, underlying disease, occupation and risk. Currently, the weather is favorable for flu, measles, dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, Japanese encephalitis… to develop. Some diseases can cause acute diarrhea and dehydration such as flu, Rotavirus, hepatitis A, cholera, and typhoid. Vaccines are available to prevent the above diseases.

In addition, families and child care facilities need to properly handle stool and diapers, clean surfaces and wash hands with soap after changing diapers or helping children go to the toilet. Children with mouth ulcers and poor appetite also need to be monitored for risk of dehydration.