Dehydration

Your body needs water to work as it should. When you do not have enough water in your body, it is called dehydration. This can cause unpleasant, or even dangerous, symptoms. Having the right amount of fluid for your body to work correctly is called being hydrated.

What causes dehydration?

You can become dehydrated if you do not eat or drink enough or if you lose too much fluid. People with cancer can become dehydrated for many reasons, such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever with or without an infection
• Bleeding
• Procedures and surgeries that cause fluid loss
• Trouble swallowing

Some people with cancer may be more likely to become dehydrated for other reasons, such as:

• Age: Infants, children, and older adults are at greater risk for dehydration.
• Chronic illness: People with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, may be at higher risk for dehydration. Some medicines make it harder for the body to maintain enough fluids.
• Exercise: People who exercise lose more fluids through sweat.
• Memory, thinking and focus changes: People with certain cognitive problems are more likely to not drink enough liquids.

What are the symptoms of dehydration?

It’s not always easy to know if you are dehydrated. Here are some common symptoms of dehydration.

• Dry mouth and lips that make it hard to talk
• Thirst
• Dizziness or weakness
• A swollen, cracked, or dry tongue
• Dry skin or skin that stays up (tents) when lightly pinched
• Higher than normal body temperature with or without chills
• Headache
• Weight loss
• Urinating less than usual or having dark-colored urine
• Sunken eyeballs
• Poor appetite and no thirst. Dehydrated people may feel less hungry and thirsty.

It’s important to treat dehydration early. Without enough fluids, the body can have trouble working as it should. Severe dehydration can lead to low blood pressure, confusion, sleepiness, kidney or liver problems, and in some cases, even death.

How is dehydration treated?

For most people, dehydration can be prevented and treated by drinking more liquids, such as water, broths or clear soups, herbal teas, or juice diluted with water. Your cancer care team might suggest an oral rehydration drink to help replace fluids, sugar, and electrolytes.

For people who cannot drink enough liquids by mouth, the cancer care team may order fluids given into a vein (IV fluids) for rehydration.

Your cancer care team will work to find out the cause of your dehydration and treat that problem. They will also help manage any symptoms or side effects that make it hard for you to get enough fluids. For example, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and trouble swallowing can make it harder to get or keep enough fluids in your body.

Ways you can manage dehydration

Fluids are in both drinks and foods, such as soups and fruits. So, if you are eating and drinking less than usual, you may be getting less fluid than your body needs.

Electrolyte drink powders and tablets are becoming more popular, but they are not always needed. For many people, water and other fluids may be enough.

However, if cancer treatment causes vomiting or diarrhea, your cancer care team may recommend oral rehydration drinks or electrolyte drinks to replace the lost fluids and minerals. These products may vary in their ingredients, including:

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Sugar

Talk with your cancer care team before using them. They can help you choose what is right for you.

Tips to prevent dehydration

• Drink small amounts often. Sometimes cold or iced drinks are easier to drink.
• Eat foods that have more water in them like fruits, vegetables, soups, gelatins, ice pops, yogurt, and other moist foods. Smoothies also work well.
• Suck on ice chips or popsicles if you’re having trouble drinking or eating.
• Drink more before you exercise or go outside in hot weather.
• If it is tiring to get up, keep a small cooler with juice boxes, bottled water, or other drinks next to you.
• Keep a food and fluid diary to keep track of how much fluid you’re getting each day.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen fluid loss.
• Put balms or moisturizers on your lips to avoid painful cracking.

When to contact your cancer care team

Call your cancer care team if you have symptoms of dehydration, including:

• Trouble drinking or keeping liquids down
• Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 48 hours
• A fever at or above the temperature your cancer care team told you
• Trouble swallowing
• Less urine (pee) than usual or urine that is dark or has a strong smell