Which signs are indicative of dehydration?

Tachycardia, or an increased heart rate, is a common physiological response to dehydration as the body attempts to maintain adequate blood flow and blood pressure when fluid levels are low. Speech difficulty can also manifest due to dehydration, primarily if it affects the mucous membranes in the throat, leading to dry throat or difficulty swallowing. These signs indicate that the body is under stress due to a lack of adequate hydration.

In contrast, increased appetite and weight gain suggest a well-nourished state and are not related to dehydration. Fever and chills are more commonly associated with infections or illnesses rather than dehydration itself, although dehydration can occur concurrently with a fever. Coughing and a runny nose are symptoms related to respiratory infections or allergies and do not directly correlate with dehydration. Thus, the combination of tachycardia and speech difficulty is particularly relevant to recognizing the signs of dehydration.