Human body is made up of made up of more than 50% water. This in itself is a big reminder as to how important it is to keep up our bodily storage of water. We may not realize it, but in the hustle and bustle of everyday lives, we forget to replenish our bodies with the requisite amount of water intake. Although the required amount of water intake varies by gender and lifestyle, not consuming the recommended proportion daily can lead to dehydration – a condition where the body does not function the way it should because of lack of water.
The mantra you must have heard is, “Drink 8 glasses of water everyday.” This is true for most and helps an average individual stay hydrated most of the times. But the symptoms of dehydration show up when this minimum requirement isn’t followed. Dehydration is a severe problem and in some major cases, it can even lead to death. So, follow along as we point out some classic dehydration symptoms. Take heed, and refill your water bottle right away.
1. Dry mouth and skin
The Ocelot
The most obvious sign of being dehydrated is dry and course skin and mouth. These signs show overtly and should immediately prompt you to get a drink of water. Applying lotions may solve the problem temporarily, but if the dry skin and lips persist, your body probably needs more water. Plus, a dehydrated skin loses its luster and dry mouth can lead to bad breath.
2. Headache
Drinking more water works as a preventative measure as well as cure to headaches. One of the reasons you’re experiencing headache is because lack of water restricts the passage of blood and oxygen to the brain which leads to swelling. If this situation continues for a long time, it can lead to migraine. So, the next time you experience a headache, try tackling it first by drinking a couple glasses of water. More often than not, that’s all our brains want sometimes to get back on track.
3. Dizziness and Disorientation
Livestrong.com
It is surprising, but just a glass of water can help you regain focus and concentration. Feeling dizzy and confused could be a result of loss of fluid due to urination or sweating after a work out (sometimes due to really low level of water in the body, you might not even sweat after exercising and this in itself is another symptom of dehydration). This also make you moody and cranky because you just cannot get the work done. Whenever you feel some of these symptoms, just drink water and feel your mind relax.
4. Dark Urine
Another visible indicator of hydration level is the color of your urine. For someone who is normally hydrated, the urine color would be a pale yellow because it has more liquid and less toxins or waste. Urine that is dark in color has a lot of waste and less water. If this is the case with you, time to have a glass of water!
5. At Some Point, You Had a Urinary Tract Infection
UTI is caused by a combination of factors. The primary cause of this really uncomfortable situation is bacteria. Drinking a lot of water helps flush those bacteria away. In case, the pain continues despite hydrating yourself, you must visit a doctor.
6. Lethargy
All your ambition and dreams go down the drain when you don’t drink enough water to help you function normally. Liquid intake gives you energy to perform everyday tasks. When you remain dehydrated, the body stores up whatever energy is there in the body by reducing blood circulation. When blood doesn’t flow well in the muscles, you feel incapable of performing even the most mundane and easy tasks. Fatigue is another sign that your body is screaming “Water!” Persistent fatigue calls for a visit to the doctor to find out what else is keeping you from working optimally.
Did you know that whenever you have a muscular spasm or cramp, there is an internal competition going on within your body? This competition is between the circulatory and the muscular systems. In times of dearth of water, the body must really choose to save the vital organs. Therefore, the circulatory system gets the prize. As a result, your muscles weaken and you have involuntary spasms. Sometimes, the solution is much simpler than a massage therapy.
8. Persistent Hunger
Water boosts metabolism and burns fat. Consequently, lack of water slows metabolism down which then results into weight gain. The whale like howl that your stomach makes sometimes could only be because of lack of water and not food. This confusion is caused by the hypothalamus in your brain in times of dehydration. Because your stomach rumbles, you feel you must eat food when the message is really to get a drink of water.
Water helps prevent an enormous amount of diseases, not to mention better skin glow and increased productivity. Make it a habit to drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday.
Share this with someone to remind them to have a glass of water.
