Everything in the body contains fluid (water). The human body must have a certain amount of liquid, and reduced amounts of fluid in the body can cause changes in how a person feels. Fluid balance means that the body's fluids are properly regulated and in the right places. Swelling is too much water in the body. (If you have this symptom, see section on swelling.) Dehydration is not having enough water in the body or not having enough fluid where it is needed in the body.

What to look for

• Dry mouth, thirst
• Dizziness, weakness, constipation (see section on constipation)
• Dry food is hard to swallow
• Dry or sticky tissues in the mouth make it hard to talk
• Dry skin, skin that "tents" (stays up) when lightly pinched
• Swollen, cracked, or dry tongue
• Fever (see section on fever)
• Weight loss (see section on weight changes)
• Little or no urine
• Fatigue (see section on fatigue)
• Sunken eyeballs

What the patient can do

• Drink fluids. Sometimes iced fluids are easier.
• Remember that food contains fluid. Try to eat fruits, vegetables, soups, gelatins, popsicles, and other moist foods.
• Apply lotion often to soften dry skin.
• Try to get rid of the cause of dehydration, such as vomiting (see section on nausea and vomiting), diarrhea (see section on diarrhea), or fever (see section on fever).
• Apply lubricant to lips to avoid painful cracking.
• If it is tiring to get up, fill a small cooler with ice and small cans of juice or bottled water and keep it next to you.
• Use ice chips to relieve dry mouth if you can't drink enough liquid.

What caregivers can do

• Offer cold or cool liquids, every hour or so.
• Encourage small meals if patient can eat.
• Include moist foods, soups, and fruit smoothies (made with ice in a blender) as snacks.
• Watch urine output to see if it gets dark or the patient stops urinating.
• Check with the patient often to be sure that he or she hasn't become confused.
• Stand by when he or she gets up, in case of dizziness or fainting.

Call the doctor if the patient:

• has vomiting, diarrhea, or fever that lasts for more than 24 hours
• has urine that is either very dark in color or in a small amount, or if there is no urine for 12 hours or more
• becomes dizzy or feels faint when standing up
• becomes disoriented or confused

Go to a list of symptoms to find other problems in Caring for the Patient with Cancer at Home: A Guide for Patients and Families.

Revised: 04/07/08