Are you drinking enough water? If we were put on a deserted island with fresh water but without any food, we would survive up to eight weeks. The situation changes drastically without water, though, and in most cases, a human cannot survive more than 5 days. Without water, our organs start to deteriorate and our bodies shut down. This is because the human body is made up of more than 60% water and the brain itself almost 85% water. Of course it is unlikely that we will ever be in this extreme situation but many of us suffer from various forms of dehydration on a daily basis.
These tips can help you prevent dehydration, which is easier than treating it after it has already happened.
Here are 10 signs you may be dehydrated:
1) You suffer from frequent dull headaches.
If you seem to suffer from frequent dull headaches and you are otherwise healthy it is very likely that you are suffering from a mild form of dehydration. A study by the Journal of nutrition found that even 1.36% dehydration could potentially cause headaches.
Maybe it’s time you opted for a glass of water instead of that 3rd cup of coffee.
2) You always feel hungry, never satisfied even if you have just eaten.
Our bodies sometimes get confused. We feel hungry, we crave certain foods but in reality, our bodies are actually screaming for water. If you are struggling to stay away from the vending machine perhaps you might actually be thirsty instead
3) You suffer from constipation
Being constipated is no laughing matter, and what makes matters worse is that it is an embarrassing problem to talk about with your doctor. Here’s the thing, if you feel like you are upping your fiber intake and still struggling to go, it may be that water is your missing ingredient.
4) You have a dry mouth
When you are dehydrated your body slows down on making saliva, which has antibacterial properties. The end result is an unpleasant and dry mouth. Keep a jug of water at your desk and try to challenge yourself to drink a glass every hour.
5) You suffer from frequent cramping.
In hotter weather, we are more likely to overheat and become dehydrated pretty quickly. This dehydration can lead to an imbalance in important minerals and electrolytes in our body. Unfortunately, we feel this most when we cramp in the middle of a run or gym session. Combat the cramping by ensuring enough fluid intake prior to a run and not only when the activity is taking place
6) Your skin feels dry and loses elasticity
Many people invest in expensive creams and lotions in an effort to keep aging at bay. However, the answer to great skin is even easier, staying hydrated! Our skins can appear lifeless, dull and dry even when we are mildly dehydrated. A simple fix is to ensure that you keep hydrated with flavored teas and lemon infused water.
7) Your urine is dark in color
When you are dehydrated your trips to the bathroom will be infrequent. Keep tabs on your hydration level by monitoring the color of your urine. Your urine should be straw or clear in color and anything darker is a cause for concern.
8) You feel dizzy when you stand up.
Our blood is made from almost 95% water so when we are dehydrated our blood volume decreases. Sometimes a side effect of this is feeling dizzy when you stand up. According to Registered Dietitian, Lisa Nelson, this is due to a drop in blood pressure, which in some cases can be dangerous. Prevent this by downloading one of the many smartphone apps available which can remind you to drink more water.
9) You feel tired, moody and low on energy.
Our brains are almost entirely made of water so it is no wonder that we struggle to think clearly when we are dehydrated. According to the European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, only 1% dehydration can cause your mood to plummet and your energy levels to tank. It also seems that your brain has to work harder when you need water however the reasons for this are not entirely known. Team up with a friend and challenge yourselves to drink a certain amount of fluids per day.
10) Heart Palpitations.
One of the lesser-known signs of dehydration is heart palpitations. Experiencing heart palpitations can be a little scary but one of the main triggers is actually a combination of dehydration mixed with too much caffeine.
Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you experience frequent or ongoing palpitations with any other symptoms like shortness of breath.
Dehydration can occur in any age group if you don’t drink enough water during hot weather — especially if you are exercising vigorously. You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment.
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