Remember what your parents used to say? Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. You probably never listened and you probably never believed it. Guess what? You probably are suffering from dehydration right now and desperately seeking help.

Worry no more for here are some quick-fix solutions for your thirst for knowledge.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

Mild to moderate dehydration is likely to cause:

• Thirst
• Dry, sticky mouth
• Sleepiness or tiredness
• Few or no tear when crying
• Decreased urine output
• Muscle weaknesses
• Dizziness or being lightheaded
• Headache

A few things you should take note: If your child is less active than usual but relatively more energetic than your typical septuagenarian, then it can be a sign of dehydration. Also, the decreased urine output for infants is measured by the number of wet diapers a day. If the baby only manages to destroy fewer than six diapers, then he or she may be dehydrated. For children and teens, a period of eight hours or longer without sprinkling some kidney juice can be a symptom of dehydration.

Severe dehydration is likely to cause:

• Extreme thirst
• Very dry mouth, skin, and mucous membranes
• Extreme sleepiness, irritability, or confusion
• Lack of sweating
• Minimal or no urination
• Sunken eyes
• Dry skin that lacks elasticity when pinched into a fold
• Rapid heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Fever
• Delirium or unconsciousness

Extreme sleepiness or fussiness in this case is often associated with infants and children, while irritability and confusion are expected in adults. Any urine that is produced will appear amber or dark yellow. Also, for infants, a sunken fontanel may be a sign of severe dehydration.

Though thirst is often the first thing that comes to mind when tackling dehydration, it is not always an accurate or a reliable measurement of the body's need for water, especially in children and older adults. A better gauge is the color of urine. A clear or light-colored urine is good. It means the person is well hydrated. An amber or dark yellow color meanwhile is bad as it often signals dehydration.

Treatment for Dehydration

The simplest and most effective way to treat dehydration is to replace lost fluids. The approach to treatment, however, is dependent on your age, the cause, and the severity of the dehydration.

Treating Dehydration in Sick Adults

If you are suffering from mild to moderate dehydration due to fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, drink plenty of water and your condition will greatly improve in no time. Try to avoid coffee, tea, and other caffeine induced beverages as these can temporarily increase dehydration. Fruit juices and sodas can only make diarrhea worse.

Treating Dehydration in Sick Children

To be on the safe side, consult a physician; however, if you do not have the luxury of time, you can implement some of these methods on your own:

• Use an oral rehydration solution. Unless your doctor says otherwise, use one for infants and children who have fever, diarrhea, or had vomited. The solution contains water and salt to replenish fluids and electrolytes. It also contains glucose to enhance absorption in the intestinal tract. It is available in most drugstores, with most pharmacies carrying their own brands. Prevention is better than any cure. Give fluids early in the course of an illness instead of waiting for the child to suffer before acting on it.

You can create your own oral rehydration solution in an emergency situation where no preformulated solution is available. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and a liter of safe drinking water. Be accurate with your measurements since every component should have an exact amount or the solution can prove ineffective.

The general rule of thumb is to maintain fluid input until the child's urine becomes clear in color. If the child is vomiting, give small amounts of the solution at frequent intervals, say one teaspoon every minute. It is best to keep fluids at room temperature.

• Avoid certain food and drinks. The best beverage for a sick child is an oral rehydration solution. Plain water is not enough, since it does not provide essential electrolytes. Sports drinks replenish electrolytes and replace lost fluids from sweating. Do not give a sick child salty broths, milk (especially boiled), sodas, gelatins, and fruit juices. They do not relieve dehydration and can make the condition worse.

Treating Exercise-Related Dehydration

If your dehydration is caused by sports or other physical activities, cool water is the best option. You may also take sports drinks that contain a carbohydrate solution and electrolytes. Do not take salt tablets as some do. Too much salt can cause hypernatremic dehydration, a condition where the human body is short of water and in excess of sodium.

Treating Severe Dehydration

For adults and even children who are severely dehydrated, treatment of the condition should be done by emergency personnel in an ambulance or hospital staff in an emergency room. The person should receive fluids and salts through a vein instead of the mouth. This form of hydration provides the body with water and essential nutrients faster than oral solutions, which is imperative in life-threatening situations.

Preventing Dehydration

To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids and consume various types of food high in water such as fruits and vegetables. The level of hydration differs depending on your lifestyle. The intake of fluid for a 10-year old should not be similar with that of a 35-year old professional athlete. The latter may need double the amount of fluid intake as that of the child, since the level of activity is different.

Dehydration can be prevented by having a health-conscious outlook and a disciplined dietary attitude. Do not let your body suffer from lack of fluids. Be responsible health-wise and you can end up joining fitness competitions --- just remember to drink plenty of liquids.