Dehydrated?

Question

I took my daughter to the doctor yesterday because she has been very sick, the doctor wanted to check is she was dehydrated and started checking the tip of her fingers, she was crying a lot so he thought he would do it on me so she could see there was nothing to be afraid of, so when he started to check my fingers he said my daughter was OK but that i was really dehydrated. That explained why i had terrible headaches. The doctor told me to take care but i don't know exactly how, I mean i've been drinking lots of water but i still feel sick and when i pinch the top of my fingers to see if i'm still dehydrated i am so is there anything else i should be doing, or should i just keep drinking water.

The doctor checked the tips of my fingers by gently but with some pressure pushing the tip of my fingers and if it doesn't pop up right away, you are dehydrated. If you are dehydrated you will be able to see how where he pushed it stays flat for a couple of seconds, and some of you might not believe it but this doctor has been around for over 30 years and he is the doctor of all my three children.

Answer 1

Water is good but it may not be your best hydrator in your current condition. Get some Gatorade/Pedialyte whatever with electrolytes (ions such as sodium, potassium, and chloride) in it, and stay away from diuretics that make you lose water such as caffeine and alcohol.

Answer 2

Dehydration can be caused by medications, many things...I would just make sure I was drinking at least eight glasses (8oz. ) a day for sure....find out if you are taking meds with diuretics in them...but about eight glasses will do you just fine..just keep drinking water, and remember, other fluids don't really count it has to be water...you might get fevers if you are really dehydrated, as you need water to keep you cooled down, and get muscles cramps also....Good luck...and God Bless

Answer 3

You should drink water with electrolytes in it as well. Some good options are Propel fitness water and EmergenC packets (you put them in water), I don't recommend Gatorade because of the high amounts of sugar. Stay away from caffeine and sugar and make sure your drinking at least 6 glasses of water a day (8 oz each).

Answer 4

Try re hydration salts, you can buy them in packets. Its a dry powder mix and comes in different flavours, the blackcurrant tastes the least bad. I would get another opinion though, as just checking your fingers doesnt sound very thorough too me. My doctor has never checked my fingers for dehydration, nor my kids.

Answer 5

All these suggestions are good, I would keep down the physical activity as much as possible, become a vegtable. Drink gatorade and things like that because when u arent thirsty and u drink that stuff it makes u more thirty so counter that with more water.

Answer 6

Drink lots of fluids, don't drink alcohol or caffiene drinks- they'll just dry you out more. You will want to have some salt though- it will help you retain some water. Just curious- how can you measure dehydration by checking fingertips?

Answer 7

Keep drinking water, stay away from coffee and pop they actually cause dehydration. eat foods with high water content like watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes and veggies like cucumbers, green peppers and lettuce.

Answer 8

Continue to drink more water, eat fruit they have natural water in them, drink juices, CUT DOWN on coffee and caffeinated drinks that would make you worse. Take care.

Answer 9

should have asked the doc that question, and if you could tell me how to do the finger thing to check for dehydration, i would appreciate it, i've got two active young boys. thanks. and yes keep drinking water and try some gatorade for the electrolytes

Answer 10

Please go to the doctor. Um your body needs lots of water.Like when you were pregnant.But it seems that being dehydrated and all you'l need more water than usual.