Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You were diagnosed with dehydration in the ED. This is when the body loses too much water and salt. It is also called "hypovolemia." It can happen when you vomit too much or have a lot of diarrhea. Sweating too much or urinating more than normal can also cause dehydration.
Your body needs the right balance of water and salt to work normally. You can lose more water and salt than you take in by eating and drinking. If you cannot make up for these losses by what you eat and drink, the doctors will need to replace the fluids you have lost.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Drink small amounts of fluid every 15 to 30 minutes. Good fluids to drink are water, broth, low-sugar sports drinks, and oral electrolyte solutions. If you cannot keep fluids down, you can suck on ice chips.
●If you are vomiting, try to drink fluids when you can, until you can eat small amounts of food.
●Eat when you are able. If you drink a lot of plain water, it's especially important to make sure you are also eating. This helps your body keep the right salt and water balance.
●Avoid alcohol.
●If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar more often.
●If you are breastfeeding, keep feeding your baby as you normally would.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:
•Feel very weak, like you can't stand up, and your skin is cool, is clammy, or looks blue or gray
•Have severe abdominal pain
•Have chest pain or trouble breathing
•Pass out
●Return to the ED if you:
•Have signs of severe fluid loss, such as:
-No urine for more than 8 hours
-Feeling very lightheaded or like you are going to pass out
-Feeling weak, like you are going to fall
•Cannot keep any fluids down
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Develop early signs of fluid loss again, such as:
•Dark-colored urine
•Dry mouth
•Muscle cramps
•Lack of energy
•Feeling lightheaded when you get up
●Have new or worsening symptoms
