What should you know about diarrhea and dehydration?

Each loose stool carries fluid and electrolytes out of the body. Dehydration may show as thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, tiredness, dark urine or urinating less often. Gastroenteritis is a common cause of diarrhea, while Heat Exhaustion can add sweating and further fluid loss. Dark urine can be a useful warning sign, but urine colour alone cannot measure dehydration accurately.

Take small, frequent sips of an oral rehydration solution, especially if nausea makes drinking difficult. Continue suitable food when you can tolerate it; stopping all food is unnecessary. Avoid relying on alcohol or very sugary drinks, which may aggravate diarrhea. Rest and keep a record of drinking, urination and symptom changes. Children, older adults and people with kidney or heart conditions should ask for tailored fluid advice.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for persistent dizziness, worsening weakness, dark or scant urine, repeated vomiting, blood in stool, severe abdominal pain or diarrhea that is not improving. Emergency care is needed for fainting, confusion, inability to swallow fluids or signs of severe illness. Kidney Stones or Urinary Tract Infection may need consideration when diarrhea occurs with flank pain, painful urination or cloudy urine.

Ask which rehydration drink is suitable, how to manage regular medicines, whether blood or stool tests are needed, and how to recognise a return of dehydration.