Dehydration,it's effects.?

I work in a hospital and as such never get time to take breaks and drink properley.Recently I have been having pain in my left leg.The calf musceal seems to feel like it's knotted up and I cant straighten my leg properly.I have been walking with a limp.The muceal pain is now spreading to the other leg and my forarms.My left calf and ankle seem to be slightly larger than the right.There is some swelling around the ankle ,all is slightly painfull when pressed.I feel in good health and I walk about 5 to 6 miles a day at work.My question is could all this be caused by dehydration and an imbalance in electrolytes.Thank you in antisipation of any answers.

I havent asked the doctors at work as we have just had the change over and all the doc's I knew have gone and the new ones are beginners.I have now got some sport drinks since your answers to see if that helps other than that I will see my GP if no improvement.thankyou.

ABSOLUTELY! Your symptoms line up with dehydration. The muscle cramps/spasms, joints aches and pains are quite common with someone who is dehydrated. Is your urine dark yellow in color and have a strong odor? (if your not taking any medicine or vitamins that is.) Chances are you're pretty dehydrated. Checking urine color and odor is a is self help tool to assess your body for the amount of dehydration. If your urine is fairly clear maybe a hint of yellow then your hydrated fine. Since you know that your not drinking enough water it's most likely you are correct. However, if you keep a balanced fluid intake for your body and your still having problems seek medical advice. Meanwhile since you know your not drinking enough water, start increasing your water intake to avoid serious health problems down the road. (Don't over do it all at once though...I mean don't chug a half gallon of water at once, you'll put your body into shock...just be smart about it.
Here is a link to a highly reputable facility in the U.S.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dehydra...

God bless you! Hugs!!

Well since you work in a hospital i would get that checked out. Get advise from a medical professional just in case it is something more serious.

drink more water

my brother passed out from that. he was playin outside and like fell over.

dehydration has many facets, from feeling thirsty to collapsing into a jibbering wreck and being carted off in an ambulance<<<< the latter is very true it happened to me last week. cramp and muscle pain could be an indication of dehydration, but heres the bottom line, every living being on this planet needs water if you feel thirsty tell your supervisor your going for a drink of water. and not the crappy stuff that comes from the cleaners closet. bring an empty bottle into work and fill it from the doctors lounge water cooler and keep it beside you as you work and drink as you need. heres the worst case scenario, your brain dehydrates and sends out signals to your organs it needs water, they need the water themselves and tell the brain to bugger off. so your brain decides whats best for you is a total body shutdown 2 seconds in electrical activity from the pancreas and liver to the brain all goes haywire. siezure!. before that sore head and fatigue cramp are the warning signs dont ignore them.

It could be but also are you over hot at work? could it be swelling due to your socks being to tight? sometimes if socks stop the natural blood flow it can cause swelling...is this swelling oedema though?...if so seek advise...it might help to drink more water....I know how busy you get at work....but see someone you know at work.......you can buy drinks now over the counter which will help re balance your electrolytes etc....
I would suggest you see someone about it though...

o.k now dear friend . dehydration mostly produce symptoms at kidneys first. mild to severe pain in posterior lumber regions which is also associated with highly concentrated urine (acidic) is symptom to be seen at first .
as you say that you developed pain in leg region ...i suggest it might be a simple musle cramp which is due to aggressive working.
secondly yes sometimes potassium dificiency due to dehydration also produces some muscular symptoms but we can never jump to highest of all diseases (basic medical rule ) we have to rule out all minors first.

therefore as you work in hospital ...i guess you may consult medicine specialist as soon because he will be in good position to treat rather than me .also it will more handy for him to do some investigations .

i am doctor of medicine but plz accept my appalogies because through internet...it becomes a bit difficult.
i guess he will ask you to do blood urea ,and creatinine .
also may be some radiographs . but still its all he will say.
dont follow me.

all you do ...drink a lot of water...and i will pray for your health always .....amen ,may god keep your health .
keep smiling and dont worry ,all will be fine.

Ok the hole yellow urine thing is such a load of bullshit because wen u drink a ton of beer ya piss comes out clear yet you are dehydrated because the alcohol

i find it hard to believe you still haven't asked a doctor since you work in a hospital after all !!
just ask also i have had the same problem as you so i would also like to know the answer to this question.