7
Symptoms That You're Actually Dehydrated (That Have Nothing to Do With Thirst)
When you don't drink enough water or lose more than you take in, you become dehydrated.
Sweat, tears, vomiting, urination, and diarrhea all cause fluid loss.
Climate, level of physical activity, food, and other variables can all affect how severe dehydration is.
You are
urged to drink more water by these dehydration-related mental and physical
symptoms.
For optimal
performance and feeling well, it's important to stay hydrated. The body needs
water to function on many levels because it is typically 60 percent water
(although this percentage varies from person to person). There are so many
amazing things that water does in your body that it would take more than two
hands to list them all, but according to Tamika Henry, MD, MBA, a
board-certified family physician and founder of the Unlimited Health Institute
in Pasadena, California, some of its main functions include eliminating waste
and toxins, controlling body temperature, lubricating joints, and enhancing
cellular, tissue, and organ health. Other responsibilities include assisting
with salivation, healthy digestion, and oxygen distribution throughout your
body.
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We naturally
utilize and lose water during the day through perspiration, urination, and
exhalation; we are unable to manufacture more on our own. As a result, we need
outside resources to replenish adequately. You are regarded to be dehydrated
when you lose more water than you consume. However, it's unlikely that you
monitor your water intake and output; rather, you wait until you feel thirsty
in order to determine whether you're dehydrated. The real sting, though, is
that Dr. Henry asserts that if you're thirsty, you're already mildly
dehydrated.
Although the
most prominent sign of dehydration is thirst, which you should always pay
attention to, there are also additional, less evident signs of dehydration,
including some surprising mental and emotional indicators.
Physical and Mental Symptoms of Dehydration
1 Your
breath is offensive.
Dehydration
is one of several causes of bad breath. Why? since saliva requires water to
produce and has antimicrobial qualities. Because your body must prioritize its
water needs and divert fluids to these areas when you're dehydrated salivary
output decreases. According to Shyamala Vishnumohan, Ph.D., director of food and
nutrition and certified prenatal nutritionist at One to One Consulting in
Perth, Australia, "the ability to combat odor-producing microorganisms in
your mouth may not be efficient [when you're dehydrated], causing foul
breath."
2 You're
famished.
Priorities
first You might truly be starving, in which case eat something. However, there
are moments when you feel hungry or experience cravings (typically for salty
foods), which Dr. Henry attributes to being extremely thirsty. Not because you
shouldn't be eating, but rather because your body is attempting to tell you
that it needs water, it's critical to pay close attention to your body and
learn the difference. Ask
yourself, "Am I dehydrated?" the next time you feel hungry but are
unsure of why—perhaps you recently ate or don't typically feel hungry at that
time of day. Wait around 15 minutes after consuming a glass of water. The
majority of the time, she claims, people are simply thirsty and not hungry. A
glass of water and a filling snack is also in order as you may be hungry and
thirsty.
3 Your
mind is racing.
Although the
cause of headaches and dehydration are unknown, scientists have several
theories. A viable idea, according to Dr. Henry, involves pain receptors in the
brain that are connected to the meninges, the membrane layers that cover your
brain and spinal cord. Dehydration can lead to fluid shifting out of the brain,
which puts pressure on the meninges and activates pain receptors. Translation:
Your headache may be a sign that you haven't had any water for too long.
4 You've
lost focus.
It can be a
good idea to drink some water if you are having problems concentrating. Dr.
Henry notes that dehydration "may result in a lack of focus, producing
short-term difficulty in performing tasks linked to motor and visual
skills." She advises setting alarms throughout the day to remind you to drink
water because even minor dehydration can impair cognition.
5 You
have constipation.
Worst of all
is constipation. Constipation is described as having less than three bowel
movements per week. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases, around 16 out of 100 persons in the United
States experience constipation symptoms. Dehydration may be a contributing
factor in constipation. Dr. Henry claims that water helps with digestion and is
ultimately one of the most effective ways to keep things moving and regular.
6 You're
negative.
While a lack
of sleep is mostly to blame for a bad mood—and we are all aware that feeling
"hangry" is a real thing—dehydration can also have an impact on how
you feel. Are you irritable, impatient, or grumpy? According to Dr. Henry,
dehydration can have neurological consequences that make a person irritable.
The next time you snap at your partner or the kids, consider whether your
desire for water is to blame more so than their conduct.
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Here's
7 Your
skin's elasticity feels lessened.
Skin
elasticity is a more accurate indicator of your degree of moisture than dry
skin. Have you ever pinched your hand to test if it soon returns to its
original position? According to Vishnumohan, if it doesn't, this is actually a
pretty good indicator that you're dehydrated. To test, pinch the skin on the
top of your hand, the inside of your lower arm, or your abdomen with two
fingers. If you're well hydrated, it ought to tent up, release, and snap back
into place right away. On the other side, when you're dehydrated, your skin
loses part of the suppleness it requires to rapidly bounce back.
When
Should You Drink Water?
The quick
response is: Depends.
The lengthy
response? There is "no specific daily water need for a given person,"
according to research. Since it genuinely depends on a variety of elements,
such as body size and composition, degree of physical activity, climate, and
nutrition, it is difficult to tell with certainty how much you need. For
instance, you should drink significantly more fluids to replace those lost via
perspiration if you're exercising hard or spending time in a hot environment.
Don't forget to replenish any lost electrolytes as well.
Some
professionals advise consuming around half of your body weight in ounces (i.e.
if you weigh 160 pounds, you should consume about 80 ounces of water). You've
also probably heard the recommendation to consume eight 8-ounce glasses of
water every day. However, according to Vishnumohan, there isn't enough
scientific data to draw the conclusion that these suggestions should serve as
the gold standard for everyone.
Instead of
obsessing over ounces or glasses, try to consistently drink water throughout
the day and pay close attention to your body's cues. Keep in mind that, in
addition to water, many other meals and drinks, such as tea, milk, and
smoothies, can help you stay hydrated. For instance, Vishnumohan drinks at
least one glass of water with each meal and consumes five servings of
vegetables and two servings of fruit daily. He also enjoys a cup of coffee in
the morning and a cup of tea at night.
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