7 Symptoms That You're Actually Dehydrated


Dehydration 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.


Dehydration-Related Mental and Physical Symptoms


1-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, 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, 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. And be aware that you could. I'm hungry and thirsty, so go get a drink and something filling.


3-Your head is pounding.


There's no certain explanation for why headaches occur with dehydration, but experts have a few hunches. "A working theory involves pain receptors in the brain that are attached to the meninges (membrane layers that protect your brain and spinal cord)," Dr. Henry says. Being dehydrated can cause fluid to shift out of the brain, putting pressure on the meninges and stimulating pain receptors as a result. Translation: that headache is a possible clue that you've gone too long without water.


4-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.


5-You're constipated.


Constipation is the worst. It's defined as having less than three bowel movements per week, and it's common among Americans—roughly 16 out of 100 adults have symptoms of constipation, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. One of the culprits of constipation may be dehydration. Water aids digestion, Dr. Henry says, and in the end, is one of the most helpful keys to keeping things moving and regular.


6-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.


7-Your skin feels less elastic.


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 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 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. 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.