Our bodies need water to work properly. Usually, you can make up for the water you lose - like having a long, cool drink of water. If you don't replace the water your body has lost, you might start feeling sick. And if you go too long without the water you need, you can become ill and might need to go to the hospital.

Also, If you ignore your thirst, dehydration can also slow you down!

Using PediaStrips along with water or other liquid(s), will help to restore essential electrolytes that help speed re-hydration.

• Dehydration can be caused by a number of different things, however, most often the result of a viral infection that causes fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and a decreased ability to drink or eat.
  
  
  • Common viral infections causing vomiting and diarrhea include rotavirus, Norwalk virus, and adenovirus.
  • Sometimes sores in a child's mouth (caused by a virus) make it painful to eat or drink, which helps to cause or worsen dehydration.

(More serious bacterial infections may make a child less likely to eat and may cause vomiting and diarrhea.)

• Common bacterial infections include Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, and Clostridium difficile.
  
  
• Parasitic infections such as Giardia lamblia cause the condition known as giardiasis , which can lead to diarrhea and fluid loss.
  
  
• Increased sweating from a very hot environment can cause dehydration.
  
  
• Excessive urination caused by unrecognized or poorly treated diabetes mellitus (not taking insulin) or diabetes insipidus are other causes.
  
  
• Conditions such as cystic fibrosis or celiac sprue do not allow food to be absorbed and can cause dehydration.

To counter dehydration, you need to restore the proper balance of water in your body. First, though, you have to recognize the problem.

Thirst is one indicator of dehydration, but it is not an early warning sign. By the time you feel thirsty, you might already be dehydrated. Other symptoms of dehydration include:

• Sunken eyes
  
• Decreased frequency of urination or dry diapers
  
• Sunken soft spot on the front of the head in babies (called the fontanel)
  
• No tears when the child cries
  
• Dry or sticky mucous membranes (the lining of the mouth or tongue)
  
• Lethargy (less than normal activity)
  
• Irritability (more crying, fussiness with inconsolability)

If you can, try not to get dehydrated in the first place. If your child or children are going to be going outside, it's a good idea to have them drink water before, during, and as they play, especially if it's hot!

The way to help a dehydrated child is to give plenty of fluids while the child is ill. This is called fluid replacement. Using PediaStrips along with water or other liquid(s), will help to restore essential electrolytes that help speed re-hydration.

PediaStrips do not replace lost fluids, so regular consumption of water or other fluid is necessary!