10 Signs Of Dehydration

When people think of dehydration, they immediately think of being wildly thirsty and having a dry mouth. This isn't the only sign that you are dehydrated, however, and it is important to recognize the other signs too. Most people are dehydrated more than they realize, and not drinking enough water can be a big factor in many people's health problems.

Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, reduced kidney function, and cause diabetes. In extreme cases, it can even cause death. As human beings, we need water to function, it is one of the most essential things to our survival. It is recommended that we drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, yet most of us don't even come close to this. Fruit infused water is an effective method of adding a boost of hydration into one's diet. 

If you think you're not drinking enough water, looking out for these signs may give you the motivation to grab your water bottle.

Headaches

Many people just take painkillers when they have a headache, without thinking about why they might have the headache in the first place. Our body is 65% water, and our brains are 80% water. Think about when a sponge goes dry, how it shrinks and becomes hard. Well, the exact same thing doesn't happen, but the process isn't too far off. The tissue shrinks which is what causes the pain.

Being dehydrated also reduces the blood flow to the brain, meaning it isn't getting enough blood to function properly, yet you're still trying to make it function. Lower blood flow will increase the swelling around the brain, further causing pain. Next time you have a headache, try drinking water before reaching for the painkillers.

Feeling disorientated

Feeling dizzy, confused and delirious are all signs of dehydration. Everyday actions such as sweating and urinating cause the body to lose water, and by not topping up regularly, your body can't function in the same manner as normal.

People suffering from dehydration will also feel like they have difficulty concentrating because the brain is affected by the lack of water. It can cause an imbalance of chemicals in our bodies, chemicals that we need in order for normal bodily functions.

Dry mouth

This may be one of the first signs of being dehydrated. The temptation to drink anything within reach is strong, but if you are dehydrated drinking sugary or fizzy drinks will only cause a temporary solution. You may have noticed before that when you're feeling thirsty, you can have a drink but you will still feel thirsty in half an hour or so.

Water will combat thirst in a more long-term way. It lubricates the membranes in your mouth – meaning these can produce saliva for a long time afterward, reducing that dry-mouth feeling and rehydrating you at the same time.

Dry skin

One of the least known side effects of being dehydrated is having dry skin. Our skin is the largest organ on our body and just like any other organ it needs looking after. If you are completely dehydrated, to the point where it can become a problem, dry skin is a big thing to look out for.

If we don't drink enough water, the body loses its ability to sweat, and when we can't sweat, we don't wash away all the dirt and grime build up that we acquire throughout the day. This will cause dry skin and acne or other skin problems. If you want to avoid this you should make sure you have plenty of water throughout the day.

Dry eyes

You may be noticing a theme now – dryness. This is for a reason, think of a desert. A place with no water and what do you immediately think of? Dryness. The same happens to the human body when there is no water in it.

When there is no water in your system your eyes can become dry, itchy and bloodshot. Your tear ducts could dry up and although this may not sound like a bad thing, remember that our eyes need to remain lubricated in order to keep functioning. With dry eyes, they cannot function well enough to keep them free of debris – which can cause vision problems.

No energy

There are a lot of things that can cause tiredness or fatigue – poor night's sleep, stress, being overworked, the list goes on. But if you are feeling rested and relaxed but still with little energy it could be down to dehydration.

If you are dehydrated, your body will store up all your energy, because it's not getting any from anywhere else. This can decrease blood circulation which delivers oxygen to the parts of our body which need it most – our muscles. When this blood flow is reduced, we feel more lethargic because our body isn't getting the oxygen that it needs meaning our muscles cannot work to their usual capacity.

No sweating

If you're a keen exerciser then you will know how much you usually sweat during a workout. So if one day you're on the treadmill and suddenly realize that you're not sweating anywhere near as much, it doesn't mean you need to up the intensity. It may mean that you're dehydrated.

During exercise, we tend to overheat, and sweating is our clever body's way of cooling us down. It helps regulate our core temperature and keep us going for longer. If your body is lacking in water, there won't be enough to produce sufficient sweat. This can be quite dangerous as we can much more easily overheat and even develop heatstroke.

Tiredness

We mentioned about feeling fatigued and having little energy, but feeling tired and sleepy is another symptom of dehydration. When the body is dehydrated is restricts the amount of oxygen in your blood, which in turn will cause your body to lose the oxygen it needs to perform its normal duties.

You'll lose your stamina and experience tiredness much earlier in the day. So before you reach for that late morning coffee, remember that water is much more likely to keep you awake in the long run.

Abnormal urine

Most people urinate between 4-7 times a day, so if you're not going to the toilet that often, you may be dehydrated. Another thing to look out for when you visit the WC is the color. We know it sounds gross but you should be checking the color of your urine because it can be the most reliable way of knowing how dehydrated you are.

Healthy urine should be a light yellow or even a clear color. The darker it gets the more dehydrated you are. It can even end up being painful to go, due to the lack of water in your system. If you are dehydrated for too long, you can end up with UTIs (urinary tract infections) which can be quite horrible.

UTIs

Being properly hydrated helps your bladder and kidneys function properly. When there is no water in your system, the bladder has nothing to flush the system out with.

When nothing is being flushed out, your urinary tract will become a hotspot for bacteria which can make you quite unwell. Keep an eye out for the color of your urine – if it looks slightly darker than you think is normal, grab that water bottle and get drinking!