Alarming Signs of Dehydration

The decreased amount of water in the body is known as dehydration. Dehydration may lead to severe health problems. As there is a famous quotation,

Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.

There are several alarming signs of dehydration which are as follows:

Dark yellow colored urine

Dark yellow-colored urine is one of the alarming signs of dehydration that needs quick action. The kidneys filter waste and other harmful components from blood and excrete it in urine. Kidneys not only work as a filter but also absorb and retain enough water. So if the water level in the body decreases, there is less water excreted in urine which causes it to become darker. On the other hand, keeping hydrated will help to have a healthy urinary system and reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Dry mouth and bad breath

Dry mouth and bad breath are other signs of dehydration. It is because of the decreased production of saliva. Decreased water level in the body makes lower secretion of saliva. Dehydration also reduces the cleaning action of the saliva, allows bacteria to grow, and results in yielding breath to have a bad smell.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes are another sign of dehydration in the body. The eye is an organ that needs water to keep it lubricated, and hence, the dryness of the eyes is an indication that your body is not getting the required amount of water.

Dry skin

Similar to other body organs, the skin needs plenty of water to function satisfactorily. Dehydration may lead to wrinkles and acne. Water helps to moisturize, clean, smooth, and soften the skin. Skin can expel waste through the phenomenon of sweating.

Muscle and joint pain

Muscle and joint pain is another sign of dehydration, as water helps to keep joints lubricated and makes muscles more elastic.

Sickness

Another sign of dehydration is sickness. The people who do not drink enough water become sick more and stay sick for a longer time period. Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer, and other ailments like heart attacks. Water dissolves the essential vitamins and nutrients from food and delivers them to our body’s cells. Headaches, dizziness, cloudy mind, and loss of concentration can all be a direct result of dehydration. You may feel lethargic and have severe irritation after dehydration. It can cause various body functions to slow down and leave you feeling tired and sluggish. That is why a glass of water can be a great pick-me-up.

Excessive hunger

Feeling hungry during the day can also be a sign of dehydration. We sometimes confuse our thirst with hunger. Simply having one glass or two of water when you feel a little hungry mainly takes away that feeling. Taking some water at that time helps you to be hydrated.

Some tips to help you keep hydrated:

• Keep a water bottle near you always. You may have heard of the saying that, “out of sight and out of mind”, well, this helps to compensate for that by placing the water inside and therefore in mind.
• Add salt to your water. Adding a little pint of salt to your glass of water can increase your hydration because water and salt are two integral elements in keeping the body hydrated. Salt is needed to assist water moving across the cell walls into the cell so that they can function efficiently. So, adding salt will help absorb more water. Make sure to use sea salt, as the nutritional value of this is higher than our typical table salt.
• Eating more fruits and vegetables is a great way to keep the body hydrated, although it will not work as fast as a glass of water. Studies showed that individuals who have a high amount of fruit and vegetables in their diet have a higher hydration status. Most vegetables and fruit are almost all water, as having eleven cucumbers can give you your daily recommendation of eight glasses of water.
• Setting reminders. Whether an alarm, an email notification, or a sticky note. Using reminders throughout the day to drink water is a simple and effective way to help you set a good drinking habit.

The body water content can be kept constant by maintaining a proper balance between water intake and loss. Intake of water happens through the drinking of water and beverages. Water is an essential constituent of the cells in the body as it serves as a transport medium for nutrients and excretory products. It also serves as a site for chemical reactions. It is a valuable solvent for electrolytes and enzymes. Water plays a vital role in the maintenance of body temperature; it also helps to maintain the form and texture of tissues. So, take enough water to stay healthy and hydrated.

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