TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
 
Next Prev
Diseases » Dehydration » Causes

Causes of Dehydration



Contents

List of causes of Dehydration

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Dehydration) that could possibly cause Dehydration includes:

More causes: see full list of causes for Dehydration

Causes of Dehydration (Diseases Database):

The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Dehydration that are listed by the Diseases Database:

Source: Diseases Database

Dehydration as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Dehydration as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Dehydration. Our database lists the following as having Dehydration as a complication of that condition:

Dehydration as a symptom:

Conditions listing Dehydration as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Dehydration. Our database lists the following as having Dehydration as a symptom of that condition:

Medications or substances causing Dehydration:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Dehydration as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

See full list of 76 medications causing Dehydration


Drug interactions causing Dehydration:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Dehydration as a symptom.

The list below is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

Read more about medication causes of Dehydration

Medical news summaries relating to Dehydration:

The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Dehydration:

Related information on causes of Dehydration:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Dehydration may be found in:

Causes of Dehydration: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Dehydration.

Hypernatremia: Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

  • Increased water loss
    –GI losses (diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal fistula)
    –Drugs (e.g., diuretics, alcohol, amphotericin B, phenytoin, propoxyphene, lithium, demeclocycline)
    –Sweating
    –Burns
    –Fever
    –Hyperventilation
    –Diabetes insipidus (central versus nephrogenic)
    –Severe burns
    –Alcohol use
    –Hyperglycemia (resulting in osmotic diuresis)
    –Diuresis phase of acute renal failure
    –Peritoneal dialysis
    –Thyrotoxicosis
    –Hyperthermia
    –Adrenal or renal failure
  • Decreased water intake
    –Poor oral intake (e.g., in the elderly)
    –Inability to swallow water due to physical limitation (e.g., coma, access/mobility problems, swallowing problems)
    –Inability to recognize the need for water due to a hypothalamic lesion (e.g., CVA)
    –Impaired thirst
    –Inappropriate IV fluids (e.g., renal failure)
    –Tube feeding with inadequate free water
  • Excessive sodium intake
    –Endocrine causes: Cushing's syndrome, ectopic ACTH, primary aldosteronism
    –Iatrogenic (e.g., inappropriately administered hypertonic saline, administration of sodium bicarbonate)
    –Sea water ingestion/drowning
  • Renal salt retention
    –Mineralocorticoid excess (Conn's
    syndrome)
    –Cushing's syndrome
    –Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
    –Multiple myeloma
    –Sjögren's syndrome
  • Essential hypernatremia (reset osmostat)

    • » READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004

    Hypernatremia: Differential Diagnosis
    (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

      • Dehydration
        –GI losses, especially watery diarrhea or profuse vomiting (very common)
        –Impaired oral intake and inability to respond to normal thirst mechanisms (e.g., young infants, altered mental status, or iatrogenic administration of IV fluids)
    • Central diabetes insipidus (DI)
      –Decreased or absent production of ADH
      –Idiopathic
      –Head trauma
      –Suprasellar or infrasellar tumors
      –Langerhans cell histiocytosis
      –Granulomatous disease (including tuberculosis, Wegener granulomatosis and sarcoidosis)
      –Infection
      –Cerebral hemorrhage
        • Nephrogenic DI (NDI)
          –Inability to respond to ADH
          –Primary (congenital abnormality)
          –Secondary (acquired renal tubular dysfunction, e.g., progressive renal insufficiency; medications, e.g., lithium)
      • Severe skin or other insensible losses
        –Excessive sweating
        –Persistent rapid breathing
        –Burns
      • Increased total body sodium (rare in children)
        –Salt intoxication from
              –Sodium chloride tablets
              –IV NaCl or NaHCO3
              –Breast milk after significant maternal sodium load
              –Concentrated formula
        –Primary hyperaldosteronism

    » READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

    Dehydration: Dehydration - pathophysiology
    (The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)

    • Dehydration is caused by either excessive fluid losses or inadequate intake of fluids.
    • Some conditions leading to dehydration include:
      • GI losses: Vomiting, diarrhea (most common cause of dehydration in pediatric patients)
      • Renal losses: Diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, diuretic agents
      • Insensible losses: Sweating, fever, tachypnea, increased ambient temperature, large burns
      • Poor oral intake: Stomatitis, pharyngitis, anorexia, oral trauma, altered mental status
      • Note that infants and debilitated patients are at particular risk due to lack of ability to satisfy their thirst freely.

    » READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

    Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008


     » Next page: Risk Factors for Dehydration

    Rate This Website

    What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

    Website User Survey

    Medical Tools & Articles:


    Next articles:

    Tools & Services:

    Medical Articles:

    Forums & Message Boards
    Next Prev
    homepage | back to top

    Common Health Mistakes

    Research
    mistakes, errors,
    and misdiagnosis
    of major diseases.
     
     

    Symptom
    Checker

    Check one
    or many
    symptoms
     

    Search Specialists by State and City

     
    By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.
    Home | Symptoms | Diseases | Diagnosis | Videos | Tools | Forum | About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Advertise
    Copyright © 2009 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 1 July, 2009 (15:17)
    We subscribe to the HONcode principles