Symptoms of dehydration in men

Fluid loss can follow sweating during work, sport or hot weather, as well as fever, vomiting or diarrhoea. Alcohol and long periods without a drink can add to the problem. A man may also notice less frequent urination, constipation, a dry tongue or difficulty concentrating. These findings suggest a need to replace fluid, but they do not identify the cause by themselves.

Pain in the side or back, fever, cloudy urine or burning when urinating may indicate a urinary problem rather than simple dehydration. Severe muscle symptoms after intense exertion also deserve prompt medical advice.

Pause exercise or heavy work, move away from heat and drink small amounts at a comfortable pace. Eat normally if able, and choose a suitable rehydration drink if fluid loss followed vomiting, diarrhoea or heavy sweating. Avoid using alcohol to rehydrate. If you have kidney, heart or liver disease, follow the fluid advice given by your healthcare professional instead of making a major change independently.

Seek urgent help for fainting, confusion, collapse, inability to swallow or keep fluids down, severe weakness, almost no urine, chest pain or breathing difficulty. Arrange prompt review for persistent symptoms, fever, blood in urine, severe abdominal or back pain, or worsening pain with urination.

Ask whether work, exercise, alcohol, medicines or an illness may be driving fluid loss, how to replace it safely, and which symptoms require urine testing.