COPD and Dehydration (2024)

webonAugust 9, 2022

It is very important for people with COPD to stay hydrated. Being properly hydrated helps to thin mucus which makes it easier to cough up. Additionally, one study showed that dehydration may also affect small airway function, making it harder to breathe.

What is dehydration?

Dehydration means the body doesn’t have enough fluid to work at its best. It can cause constipation, electrolyte imbalances, kidney problems and loss of balance. Severe dehydration can lead to a hospital visit or even death.

What causes dehydration?

Dehydration can be caused by not drinking enough water to make up for the fluid we lose. The weather, sweating and what we eat and drink are often factors.

Try to limit time in hot or humid conditions and drink more water if you find yourself in the heat or sweating excessively.

What are the signs of dehydration?

It is important to be aware of the common signs of dehydration, which include:

• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Sunken eyes
• Decrease in the amount of urine
• Dark-colored urine
• Muscle cramping
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

The treatment for dehydration is simply replacing the lost fluids by drinking water or other liquids, like juices or broth.

If you are drinking plenty of liquids and are still having these symptoms, you should visit urgent care or your primary care provider as soon as possible.

Dehydration that is severe requires immediate attention. If you have the following symptoms for more than 24 hours, go to the emergency room immediately:

• Rapid heart rate
• Trouble moving or walking
• Confusion or disorientation
• Fainting
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Anyone suffering from these symptoms should go to the emergency room immediately, where they will most likely receive intravenous fluids and electrolytes.

If dehydration isn’t treated, serious complications or even death can occur.

How do I prevent dehydration with COPD?

If you do not have any fluid restrictions, you should drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeinated beverages daily.

For most people to prevent dehydration, you should drink water throughout the day. Water is best, but other drinks like milk, flavored sparkling water and low-sugar fruit juices can also be helpful. Even frequent small sips are helpful if you cannot drink a full glass at a time. Coffee and tea have a diuretic effect, so consume these sparingly.

Some foods can be hydrating, including watermelon, cucumber, celery, strawberries and low sodium broths or soups.

What are special considerations for dehydration?

Some people with COPD who also have heart problems might need to limit their fluids, so follow your doctor’s guidelines. Sometimes a person with COPD or heart failure may also have kidney disease which may have different fluid intake guidelines. If you are unsure whether you have fluid restrictions, ask your health care provider. Learn about avoiding dehydration when you have heart failure.

Studies show that older adults are less likely to feel thirsty than younger people. They also have lower water reserves in their body. Unfortunately, these factors lead to more chance of dehydration. To prevent this, older adults should be reminded or set reminders for themselves to drink regularly or as recommended by their health care provider.

If you are already sick with a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, you are already losing fluids and should take in extra fluids to compensate. Someone who has had vomiting and diarrhea can also lose electrolytes and may benefit from drinking electrolytes such as those found in Pedialyte. Sports drinks have sodium and sugar, so these should not be your first choice unless instructed by your health care provider.

As a reminder, if you have an underlying health condition in addition to COPD, such as heart failure, kidney disease or diabetes, it is very important to talk to your health care provider about how much fluid you need to drink for your body to be hydrated and healthy.

More to Read

• 4 Reasons You Need to Stay Hydrated
• Nutrition for Lung Health and COPD
• Avoiding Dehydration When You Have Heart Failure
• Staying Hydrated When You Have Diabetes

Medically reviewed by Jeffrey D. Marshall, MD.