Sometimes dehydration occurs for simple reasons: You don't drink enough because you're sick or busy, or because you lack access to safe drinking water when you're traveling, hiking or camping.

Other dehydration causes include:

• Diarrhea, vomiting. Severe, acute diarrhea — that is, diarrhea that comes on suddenly and violently — can cause a tremendous loss of water and electrolytes in a short amount of time. If you have vomiting along with diarrhea, you lose even more fluids and minerals.

• Fever. In general, the higher your fever, the more dehydrated you may become. The problem worsens if you have a fever in addition to diarrhea and vomiting.

• Excessive sweating. You lose water when you sweat. If you do vigorous activity and don't replace fluids as you go along, you can become dehydrated. Hot, humid weather increases the amount you sweat and the amount of fluid you lose.

• Increased urination. This may be due to undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes. Certain medications, such as diuretics and some blood pressure medications, also can lead to dehydration, generally because they cause you to urinate more.

When preparing for a DOT physical, several key documents are required to ensure that the medical examiner has all the necessary information to assess your health. First, you should bring a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport, to confirm your identity. Additionally, you will need to provide your medical history, including any chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease. If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, having documentation from your primary care provider or specialist that shows the condition is well-managed is essential for a successful examination.

You will also need to bring your vaccination records and any other medical records that might be relevant to your physical health, particularly if you have a history of surgeries, medications, or ongoing treatments. If you are on prescribed medications, it's important to bring a list of your current medications, including dosages, to help the examiner understand how your medications may impact your overall health and driving abilities. Finally, it's helpful to bring a copy of any previous DOT physical records or evaluations, as this can help the examiner track your medical history and ensure your health is up to date for commercial driving purposes.

$115 Basic Office Visit

- No Insurance Includes

free urine analysis

($10 value)