But the young are not the only ones at risk. People with diabetes and individuals taking high blood pressure medications may also be predisposed to dehydration. Dehydration is caused by an excessive loss of water and salts from the body. In order to maintain enough blood and other fluids, the human body needs approximately two liters per day for adequate hydration. Maintaining water intake is important because we're constantly losing water through sweat, breathing, urination, and excretion.
Many illnesses can cause fevers, which increase fluid loss.
Hot weather and prolonged exercise also accelerate dehydration. The most common causes of dehydration are diarrhea and vomiting. These are typically instigated by gastroenteritis - an inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining. Gastroenteritis is caused by bacterial or viral infections, as well as certain drugs, alcohol, food allergies, and contaminated or improperly prepared food. Normally we have to give them intravenous fluids and see if we can treat the underlying cause.