AllRefer Health - Dehydration Diagnosis & Tests

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health

	Diet & Nutrition
	Diseases & Conditions
	Health News
	Injuries & Wounds
	Poisons & Overdoses
	Surgery & Procedures
	Symptoms Guide
	Special Topics
	Tests & Exams
	Pictures & Images
	Medical Encyclopedia

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Dehydration: Diagnosis, Tests, & Signs of Dehydration

Dehydration


•	Definition
•	Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
•	Symptoms & Signs
•	Prevention
•	Diagnosis & Tests
•	Treatment
•	Expectations or Prognosis
•	Complications
•	Calling Your Health Care Provider
•	Pictures & Images
•	Go To Main Page

See all Pictures & Images

Dehydration Diagnosis & Tests

A physical examination may also show signs of:

Low blood pressure
Blood pressure that drops when you go from lying down to standing
Rapid heart rate
Poor skin turgor -- the skin may lack its normal elasticity and sag back into position slowly when pinched up into a fold by the doctor; normally, skin springs right back into position
Delayed capillary refill
Shock

Tests include:

Blood chemistries (to check electrolytes, especially sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate levels)
Urine specific gravity (a high specific gravity indicates significant dehydration)
BUN (blood urea nitrogen -- may be elevated with dehydration)
Creatinine (may be elevated with dehydration)
Complete Blood Count (CBC) to look for signs of concentrated blood

Other tests may be done to determine the specific cause of the dehydration (for example, a blood sugar to check for diabetes).

Today's Top News Stories
•	79 Million Americans Struggle to Pay Medical Bills - Aug 20, 2008, 09:00 New numbers show the problem is getting worse, not better, even for middle class.
•	Compression Stockings Often Incorrectly Used - Aug 20, 2008, 09:00 29% of patients had problems with size of devices used to prevent deep vein clots, study finds.
•	Arsenic in Drinking Water Raises Diabetes Risk - Aug 19, 2008, 17:00 Even low levels, like those found in U.S., could boost the odds, study finds.
•	Obesity Rates Up in 37 States: Report - Aug 19, 2008, 16:00 At least 20% of adults are obese in every state except Colorado.
•	Cognitive Score Changes Over Time May Hint at Dementia - Aug 19, 2008, 16:00 Study authors stress new method is a complement to current testing.

< Previous

^ Top

Next >

Jump to another section

• Definition
• Dehydration Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Dehydration Symptoms & Signs
• Dehydration Prevention
• Dehydration Diagnosis & Tests
• Dehydration Treatment
• Dehydration Prognosis
• Dehydration Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

• Diabetes
• Pharyngitis
• Trench Mouth
• Viral Gastroenteritis

Tests & Exams

• BUN
• Capillary Nail Refill Test
• CBC
• CHEM-20
• Creatinine - Serum
• Urine Specific Gravity

Other Topics

• Blood Pressure - Low
• Diarrhea
• Electrolytes
• Intravenous
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Pulse - Bounding
• Seizures
• Shock
• Skin Turgor
• Urination - Excessive Volume

Review Date : 8/21/2003
Reviewed By : Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Senior Medical Editor, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M.; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (3/3/2002).

Main Page of Dehydration

Featured Topics
•	Alzheimer's Disease
•	High Blood Pressure
•	Crohn's Disease
•	Impotence
•	Overactive Bladder

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.