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Publication #FCS8847

 

Healthy Living: Are You at Risk for Dehydration?1

Jennifer Hillan and Linda B. Bobroff2

Older adults, especially women and those over eighty-five, are often at an increased risk for dehydration. Taking certain medications, not feeling the urge to drink as often, or having a physical condition that makes it difficult to drink can contribute to dehydration. Some of these can be controlled, and some cannot. Answer the questions below to find out if you are at risk for dehydration, and if so, how you can decrease your risk!

Table 1. 
 

YES

NO

I am older than 85 years.

    

I am female.

    

I have diabetes, urinary incontinence, or kidney disease.

    

I have frequent fevers, vomiting, or diarrhea.

    

I take laxatives, diuretics, or sedatives.

    

I drink less than six cups of fluids each day.

    

I often have dark yellow urine.

    

I have problems swallowing.

    

If you answered "YES" to any of the statements above, you’re likely at a higher risk for becoming dehydrated. It’s important to prevent dehydration because it can lead to serious health problems. In severe cases, hospital treatment may be needed.

Drink small amounts of fluids throughout the day, even if you aren’t thirsty. Try plain or flavored water, 100% fruit juices, low-sodium soups and vegetable juices, diluted sports drinks, and low-fat or fat-free (skim) milk. Tea and coffee also can help you stay hydrated.

Footnotes

1.

La versión en español de este documento es Vida Saludable: ¿Esta usted en riesgo de deshidratación? (FCS8847-Span). This document is FCS8847, one of a series of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published: September 2007. Revised March 2010, September 2010. Please visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Originally written in 2007 by Jennifer Hillan, MSH, RD, LD/N, formerly of ENAFS nutrition education program, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences. Reviewed and revised in 2010 by Linda B. Bobroff, PhD, RD, LD/N, professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences; Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.