Dehydration
It’s important to get urgent care treatment for dehydration. Learn the causes of dehydration and signs and symptoms of chronic dehydration.
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What is dehydration? And what are the symptoms?
Dehydration results from the loss of water and electrolytes from your body. Did you know, your body is about 75% water? So you need plenty of water to make blood and other fluids for your body to function.
Fortunately, mild dehydration can safely be treated at home. But severe dehydration can be life-threatening and needs urgent medical care.
Mild symptoms of dehydration include:
- Thirst
- A dry mouth and tongue
- Feeling weak and dizzy
- A headache
- Nausea
- Lack of energy
Symptoms of worsening dehydration that need urgent care include:
- Extreme thirst
- Dry mouth, lips, tongue, and throat
- Hot dry skin
- Tiredness or confusion
- Cramps in legs
- Reduced urine output (dark, concentrated urine)
- Fever, fast pulse and rapid breathing.
- For babies, they will have less wet nappies.
Causes of dehyration
Some of the causes of dehydration include:
- Strenuous activity, especially in hot weather.
- Not drinking enough water during exercise.
- Vomiting and diarrhoea.
- High Fever from an illness such as influenza for Covid.
- Dehydration can be a complication of diabetes or certain medications.
Who is at particular risk from dehyration
Specifically, babies, the elderly, and outdoor workers are at particular risk of developing dehydration.
- Babies do not know they are thirsty and cannot get a drink for themselves.
- The elderly have less capability of knowing when they’re thirsty and often can become confused or have dementia. The Elderly can get chronic dehydration symptoms.
- Outside workers are exposed to extreme temperatures and are doing strenuous physical work.
- Ill people with prolonged vomiting and diahorreah
- Athletes who lose a lot of water through sweat and heat. This included people doing competitive sports as amateurs like triathlon who may not realise they have lost fluids.
When to go to Urgent Care for Dehydration treament
If your baby or an elderly relative is severely dehydrated, urgent medical care is needed.
Our urgent care team can provide intravenous fluid treatment for dehydration (fluid into a vein) to prevent life-threatening conditions.
Home first aid treatments for Mild dehydration
Fortunately, mild dehydration can be treated safely at home.
- Go somewhere cool.
- Small, frequent amounts of water.
- However, don’t drink too much water too rapidly as it can be dangerous.
- Suck on ice cubes or an ice block.
- You can use electrolyte solutions such as Hydralyte. You’ll be able to get this over the counter at the pharmacy.
A home recipe for Electrolyte solution to treat dehydration is:
- 6 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 cups of boiled water (cooled)
Simply stir until dissolved.
How to contact us
- Email info@eastcare.co.nz
- Phone number (09) 277 1516
- Fax (09) 277 1515
- Address: 260 Botany Road, Howick 2013, Auckland
- Postal: PO Box 38306, Howick 2145, Auckland
Complementary onsite services
At our Botany Road premises, we offer a number of onsite services including a Pharmacy and Radiology to ensure your visit to the Centre is as stress free as possible.
Frequently asked questions
To join our clinic, you first need to fill out the patient enrolment forms to register with the PHO that we belong to. This is a Ministry of Health requirement. You will need to provide proof of identity and eligibility which may include the following forms of identification:
- NZ Passport or NZ birth certificate
- International passport with resident visa OR work visa of minimum 24-month duration
On the enrolment form you need to indicate which of our doctors (currently taking new patients) that you would like to be registered with.
Yes. As part of completing your enrollment, we request that you have a new patient screening appointment with one of our Nursing or Medical Centre Assistant team members.
This new patient appointment enables our team to work with you to better understand your current health and wellbeing.
Following the new patient appointment as above, you can book your first consultation with your nominated doctor.
The length of your first appointment with your new doctor will be as follows:
| Age | Screening appointment | GP appointment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-13 yrs | - | 15 minutes Free |
15 minutes Free |
| 13-17 yrs | - | 15 minutes $13.00 |
15 minutes $13.00 |
| 18-39 yrs | 15 minutes $10.00 |
15 minutes* $19.50 |
30 minutes $29.50 |
| 40+ yrs | 15 minutes $10.00 |
30 minutes $39.00 |
45 minutes $49.00 |
* Note: if you have a chronic condition, please make a booking for 30 minutes.
Payment is required at the time of consultation
You will get full access to the patient portal “My Indici” once you have completed your screening appointment.
Payment is required at time of consultation. Please note that unpaid accounts will incur an additional $10 monthly administration cost.
There may be additional costs for treatments/tests/materials
We recommend that you book your future appointments via your patient portal My Indici.
If you need an urgent appointment, then please phone the clinic. We have doctors available to discuss your urgent health needs on the day.
All consultations are by appointment only.
Patient portals are secure online sites where patients can access their health information and interact with their general practice. Please give us call on (09) 265 1325 or send us an email at info@ormistonmedical.co.nz, and we can set up your account.
14-17 years $14
18+ years $16
Urgent prescription $27.50
We are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.
For health services after hours visit East Care Accident & Medical, 260 Botany Road, Golflands, Auckland 2013. Their phone is 09 277 1516.
These are consultation prices only.
Under 14 Years - Free 14 - 17 years - $14 18 years & over - $16
Note charge is the same for in person or by phone or video as you are still receiving the same high quality health provider assessment, diagnosis and planning.