7 Symptoms That You're Actually Dehydrated (That Have Nothing to Do With Thirst)

To feel good and perform at your best, it's imperative to stay hydrated. The body needs water to function on various levels because it is composed of water on average to the tune of 60% (though 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 some of its main functions include detoxifying the body, maintaining body temperature, lubricating joints, and enhancing cellular, tissue, and organ health, according to Tamika Henry, MD, MBA, a board-certified family physician and founder of the Unlimited Health Institute in Pasadena, California. Additionally, it helps with digestion, oxygen transport throughout the body, and saliva production.

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.

Mental and Physical Signs of Dehydration

01 .You have bad breath.

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, PhD, 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."

02.You feel hungry.

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 are also in order as you may be hungry and thirsty.

03.Your head is pounding.

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.

04 .Your focus is off.

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.

05.You're constipated.

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.

06.You're grumpy.

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.

07.Your skin feels less elastic.

Skin elasticity is a more accurate indicator of your degree of moisture than dry skin is. 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 your 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.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

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.