DEHYDRATION SYMPTOMS: Reference Information

I am posting these symptoms and information for you to print off and keep with you and for reference sake.  If you feel you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your surgeon or pcp for additional direction.  Remember, WLS patients have a delicate system and need additional assistance if they are not able to hydrate properly.  It is NOT a sign of weakness, it is just a fact!  Please do not jeopardize your health for vanity sake people!  Dehydration Dehydration will occur if you do not drink enough fluids. Symptoms include fatigue, dark colored urine, dizziness, fainting, nausea, low back pain (a constant dull ache across the back), and a whitish coating on the tongue. Blood work should be done if these symptoms persist, in order to establish the severity of dehydration. Dehydration may lead to bladder and kidney infections. Contact your surgeon if you believe that you may be dehydrated. In some cases you will need to be admitted to the hospital so that fluids can be administered.

Note: If your urine is dark and your mouth is dry, you are not drinking enough.

To prevent dehydration:

• Buy a sports bottle and take it with you everywhere so you can sip water all day.
• Drink at least 64 oz. of fluids per day. Increase this amount if you are sweating.
• Avoid caffeine-containing beverages – they are diuretics and can dehydrate you. Unsweetened herbal iced tea is okay to use.
• If you have difficulties drinking due to nausea, suck on ice chips.
•  
• Symptoms of early or mild dehydration include:
• flushed face
• extreme thirst, more than normal or unable to drink
• dry, warm skin
• cannot pass urine or reduced amounts, dark, yellow
• dizziness made worse when you are standing
• weakness
• cramping in the arms and legs
• crying with few or no tears
• sleepy or irritable
• unwell
• headaches
• dry mouth, dry tongue; with thick saliva.

Symptoms of moderate to severe dehydration include:

• low blood pressure
• fainting
• severe muscle contractions in the arms, legs, stomach, and back
• convulsions
• a bloated stomach
• heart failure
• sunken fontanelle - soft spot on a infants head
• sunken dry eyes, with few or no tears
• skin loses its firmness and looks wrinkled
• lack of elasticity of the skin (when a bit of skin lifted up stays folded and takes a long time to go back to its normal position)
• rapid and deep breathing - faster than normal
• fast, weak pulse 

In severe dehydration, these effects become more pronounced and the patient may develop evidence of hypovolaemic shock, including: diminished consciousness, lack of urine output, cool moist extremities, a rapid and feeble pulse (the radial pulse may be undetectable), low or undetectable blood pressure, and peripheral cyanosis. Death follows soon if rehydration is not started quickly.

No wonder the nurse had such a hissy when I called the hospital and had the flu !!  She said the flu wasn't the problem, but if I got dehydrated I would be in trouble.  NOOOOOOOWWWWWW I understand !!!  Thanks for the info.  Lynette