---
title: "What Is Dehydration? Heat Stress and Hydration Glossary"
description: "Dehydration is a condition caused by losing too much fluid from the body. It happens when you lose more fluid than you take in, such as through heavy sweating."
url: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/dehydration
publisher: JMAR Solutions
phone: +1-214-632-7780
quote: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/contact
---

Hydration science

# Dehydration

Dehydration is a condition caused by losing too much fluid from the body. It happens when you lose more fluid than you take in, such as through heavy sweating.

Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. MedlinePlus lists sweating too much as one cause. Others include diarrhea, vomiting and heavy urination.

MedlinePlus says treatment is to replace the fluids and electrolytes lost. For mild cases, that may mean drinking water. If electrolytes were lost, sports drinks may help. Dehydration adds to [heat stress](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-stress) and can show up as [heat exhaustion](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-exhaustion). Heat stroke is different: it is an emergency, so call 911. Plan ahead with [hydration](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/hydration) habits and our [jobsite hydration plan](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/guides/jobsite-hydration-plan).

[From JMAR SolutionsHydration programs and toolbox talks for crews](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/hydration-programs)

## Related terms

-   [Hydration](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/hydration)
-   [Electrolyte](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte)
-   [Heat exhaustion](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-exhaustion)
-   [Heat stress](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-stress)
-   [Sweat rate](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/sweat-rate)

## Sources

1.  [MedlinePlus: Dehydration](https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html)
2.  [MedlinePlus: Dehydration](https://medlineplus.gov/dehydration.html)

![Ironworkers silhouetted on a steel frame against a hot orange sunset](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/_astro/sunset-steel.IhAMDca0_6wk53.webp)

## See it on your crew in 15 minutes

Jennifer walks your safety team through the drops, the protocol and the numbers on a short live call.

[Book a 15-minute demo](https://calendly.com/jen-jmarsolutions/15-min-meeting)