What is dehydration?

Dehydration is the loss of water from the body as a result of the disruption of the body's normal water balance. This means that the amount of water in the body is less than normal. Dehydration usually occurs due to conditions such as dehydration, excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting or decreased urination.

Dehydration occurs when many mechanisms that control the body's water balance are affected. Water is found in the body's intercellular and intracellular fluids and performs many vital functions. Water is necessary for important processes such as regulating body temperature, digestion, nutrient absorption, intercellular communication, and removal of waste products.

Mayo Clinic. (2020). Dehydration. Retrieved June 11, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086