There are several steps people should do to diagnose whether they suffer from dehydration. The first test is related to the mental status. This is the evaluation to determine whether the patient is alert, awake, and oriented. Commonly, the infants and children will appear listless. The other things they will probably get are the whiny cries and also the decreased muscle tone.
What about the other steps to diagnose dehydration? The next possible thing is the temperature. This is measured mostly to assess fever. Skin will play an important role in this diagnosis. The doctor will check the level of sweating and elasticity degree. The more chronic level of the condition will male skin loses its water content. So, it becomes less elastic. The steps above will let people find their real condition. The routine consultation should be done to know the progress of their health. You should not take it easy, since the side effect of such condition is sometimes out of consideration.
The more accurate diagnosis can be done through blood test. What is the significance of doing such test? The only purpose is to assess potential state called electrolyte abnormalities, especially the sodium levels which have strong relation to dehydration. However, it is an optional step and the importance of doing the test will be fully based on the cause of dehydration and also the severity of illnesses. Besides, the result of test and examination done by health care practitioner will determine the needs of blood test.