Hypovolemia symptoms are the result of your body not having enough fluid (blood) volume circulating in your system. The body needs a normal volume of blood and fluid to function properly, so it can do everything from sending oxygen throughout your body to removing waste and toxins.
There are a few ways to determine whether you have hypovolemia, including checking your urine output and heart rate. Your doctor will also want to check for signs of dehydration, like decreased oral intake, vomiting, diarrhea or sweating.
In severe cases, the person’s blood pressure may drop and their heart rate will increase, causing them to feel weak and dizzy. They may begin to hallucinate, lose their balance and become unconscious.
If you notice these symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number to get help. Your doctor will treat you right away to prevent life-threatening complications like organ damage and shock, which can lead to death.
Your doctor will likely recommend that you drink a lot of water to replenish the fluid you’ve lost. They will also give you medication to control your blood pressure and heart rate.
When the amount of fluid in your body decreases, you need to get treatment immediately. If you don’t, your blood vessels can constrict and reduce your ability to get oxygen and nutrients to your brain and other vital organs.
Symptoms of hypovolemia include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and increased thirst. If you have severe symptoms, your doctor will administer IV fluids to replace the fluid you’ve lost. These fluids will usually contain electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium.
You may also have other symptoms, such as shaking chills, a rapid temperature increase, and flushed skin. These symptoms are common in septic shock (from an overwhelming infection), but they can be seen in other types of shock, too.
Your doctor may also tell you to get an injection of a solution that contains electrolytes, such as sodium chloride or a mixture of salts. This is called a crystalloid solution and will provide the extra fluid needed to increase your blood volume and stop your organs from shutting down.
Another option for treating hypovolemia is vasopressors, which can temporarily constrict your blood vessels and raise your blood pressure. These medications are used if the fluid loss is severe and you can’t get crystalloid infusions or if your symptoms don’t respond to them.
If your doctor thinks that you have hypovolemia, they will send you to the hospital for care. You may need surgery to repair your kidneys if you have a severe case of this condition.
The most common cause of hypovolemia is blood loss. It can occur from injury, severe diarrhea or vomiting, burns, ectopic pregnancy and other health problems that cause your body to lose a large amount of fluid.
The signs and symptoms of hypovolemia are similar to those of shock, but there is a big difference in the amount of fluid that is lost. Shock can cause a loss of up to 750 cubic centimeters or milliliters of blood, whereas hypovolemia causes an average loss of about 15% of your total volume. This makes it especially dangerous for older adults, who are more susceptible to the effects of dehydration.
