Dehydration: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Seek emergency help if you or someone else has:

   • Confusion, collapse, fainting, or difficulty waking
   • Very little or no urine with severe weakness or dizziness
   • Rapid breathing, a very fast heartbeat, or cold and mottled skin
   • Signs of heatstroke, including hot conditions plus confusion or loss of consciousness
   • A seizure or other sudden change in awareness

   Move a person with possible heat illness to a cooler place while emergency help is arranged.

   Do not force drinks if they are confused, unconscious, or unable to swallow safely.

   A baby who is difficult to wake or appears seriously unwell needs emergency help.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Get urgent medical advice if fluids cannot be kept down, vomiting or diarrhoea is continuing, or signs of dehydration are getting worse despite drinking.

   Blood in vomit or stool, severe abdominal pain, or black, tar-like stool also needs prompt assessment.

   Babies and young children should be assessed promptly if they have markedly fewer wet nappies, no tears, unusual drowsiness, a very dry mouth, or difficulty drinking.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange routine follow-up if dehydration keeps returning, you often feel unusually thirsty, you urinate much more than usual, or a medicine may be contributing.

   Routine advice is also appropriate if you need help making a safe hydration plan for a long-term condition.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Dehydration. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.