Fresno’s proximity to the Sierra Nevada draws people outdoors. Exploring three of California’s best national parks – Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite – is fun, but in dry weather, dehydration is a risk.
Dehydration is more than being thirsty. When you’re dehydrated, your blood thickens and you risk dangerous electrolyte imbalances. Without the proper balance of potassium and sodium, muscles may not contract properly, and that means your heart is at risk.
When you’re dehydrated, IV fluids are often necessary to help your body replenish with the right balance of essential minerals and water. If you’re dehydrated, emergency care at a hospital isn’t always the only option. Learn when California urgent care is better for treating dehydration and preventing serious complications.
What Is Dehydration?
Up to 75% of the human body is water. Babies have the highest percentage, and it decreases as you age. On average, 60% of your body is water, distributed like this.
- Brain and kidneys – 80% to 85%
- Heart and lungs – 75% to 80%
- Liver, muscles, and skin – 70% to 75%
- Blood – 50%
- Bones – 20% to 25%
- Teeth – 8% to 10%
Muscles contain more water than fatty tissue. Men have more water in their bodies than women, so the actual percentage varies from one person to the next. The water in your body helps with:
- Body temperature regulation
- Chemical balance
- Digestion
- Joint lubrication
- Oxygen delivery
- Saliva production
- Shock absorption for the brain and spinal cord
- Waste removal
When the water in your body drops too much, it’s called dehydration. You lose water through excessive sweating. The side effect of some medications is dehydration. If you’re ill and throwing up or dealing with diarrhea, dehydration is a risk. Not drinking enough water also causes dehydration.
In California, the dry, warm climate increases the risk of dehydration, especially when you’re outside a lot, making the most of the natural areas. Being outside on a hot day poses a problem if you’re sweating a lot and not drinking extra water, unsweetened herbal tea, or an electrolyte-infused beverage to make up for it.
Understanding the Levels of Dehydration and Their Symptoms
There are several levels of dehydration. The longer it goes without treatment, the harder it is on your body. If you ignore dehydration, you risk organ failure and death. That’s why it’s essential to know the signs and seek medical treatment if you suspect you’re dehydrated.
1. Mild Dehydration
Mild dehydration is not a medical emergency, but you need to start drinking more water. Replenish what’s missing. If you’ve been sick (diarrhea or vomiting) or sweating profusely, a drink with electrolytes, such as Gatorade Water or Pedialyte, is a better option.
Symptoms include:
- Feels thirsty
- Irritability
- Lost no more than 5% body weight
2. Moderate Dehydration
Once you’re moderately dehydrated, IV fluids are important. You need to seek medical attention to get fluids restored and electrolyte levels balanced. Signs include:
- 6% to 9% weight loss
- Dark urine
- Dry, cool skin
- Dry tongue and mouth
- Extreme thirst
- Headache
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps
- Sunken eyes
- Sunken soft spot (infants)
3. Severe Dehydration
Severe dehydration is dangerous and requires immediate hospital care. Get to an ER. If that’s not currently possible, urgent care is second best and can provide supportive care until the hospital transfer is possible. Symptoms include:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry, shriveled skin
- Extremely dry tongue and mouth
- Extremely sunken soft spot (infants)
- Little urine output
- Loss of consciousness
- More than 10% weight loss
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Sunken eyes
Treatments for Dehydration
Treatment for dehydration starts with an assessment of the level you’re at. A skin pinch test helps with this. If some of your skin is pinched, it should bounce back quickly. If it slowly sags, you’re dehydrated.
Your vital signs are recorded throughout treatment. This includes blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate, and oxygen saturation.
If IV fluids are recommended, the IV line goes into a vein, often the back of your hand. The IV infusion of fluid begins and can take up to an hour, depending on how many liters are necessary.
When you have the flu or a stomach bug that causes dehydration, medications to control nausea and vomiting may also be administered. Medications to ease dehydration headaches are another possibility.
When to Choose Urgent Care vs. ER to Treat Dehydration
Mild dehydration is often easily treated at home. Just make sure you’re avoiding strenuous activities, drinking sips of water several times per hour, and staying out of the heat.
If you have the flu or a stomach bug that’s making you ill, drink a beverage containing electrolytes and consider going to urgent care for medications that help ease the nausea or diarrhea.
Urgent care is important if you have moderate dehydration. It’s important to get IV fluids and ensure your electrolyte balance is correct. Your health is too important to risk trying to treat yourself.
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency. Get to the hospital for care. If you are far from a hospital but a mile from an urgent care, you can go to an urgent care for immediate treatment and be transferred to a hospital after treatment has started. It’s better than risking your life.
Make the Most of Your Urgent Care Visit
When you go to urgent care, take a few steps to make your visit go smoothly. Start by bringing a travel cup and take sips to help keep from worsening.
Dress in loose clothing that’s easy for a nurse or doctor to do things like put on a blood pressure arm cuff and IV catheter. A tank top with a cardigan or T-shirt is ideal as the arm is already exposed.
Bring a photo or a list of any prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements you use. Your doctor needs to know how often you take these pills and what strength they are.
Your insurance card is important. You also want to have your primary care physician’s (PCP) contact information so that the urgent care team can keep your doctor informed.
If you don’t remember everything the doctor says, ask for a printed copy of the after-visit instructions. If a follow-up appointment with your PCP is recommended, make one as soon as you can.
Premium Urgent Care Offers a Range of Medical Services
Dehydration shouldn’t keep you from enjoying your day. If you’re ill, our Fresno urgent care helps you feel better faster. Premium Urgent Care’s doctors assess the level of dehydration you’ve reached and the best treatment option for restoring your body fluids as quickly as possible.
Walk in or use our online check-in to see a doctor faster. If you need IV fluids, we do it in the office. You avoid the high cost of a hospital visit and get the same level of medical care you would in an emergency department.