Are You Dehydrated? How to Know
By Sara Butler
Most people know that when they feel thirsty, it's time to drink. However, what most people don't know is that by the time you feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated.
Fluid levels in the body are incredibly important. It impacts the body's ability to control basic functions such as blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature. So, it's really something that should be taken seriously and you should do your best every day to stay on top of your fluid intake.
Here's what you need to know about spotting the signs of dehydration and what you can do to ensure you get enough water every single day.
How the Body Loses Water
Hydration is important because there are so many ways the body loses fluids over the course of a day. Some of the most common ways it loses water include:
- Stress that impacts hormone levels which regulate fluids
- Perspiration
- Breathing
- Urination
Sometimes medications or certain health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome can also cause the body to lose water, so hydration is important.
Signs of Dehydration
Of course, you know that when you're thirsty it's time to drink. Well, there are other signs that you need to drink some water, too. They include:
- Dry mouth - Aside from thirst, having a dry mouth is another obvious sign of dehydration
- Urine that is dark in color - If you're well hydrated, your urine should be pale. If it's dark, then it's time to drink some water!
- Dry skin - Is your skin dry? That can be a sign you need more fluids.
- Headaches - If you have a headache, try drinking some water to see if that's the culprit.
- Fatigue - This can be caused by many things, but dehydration is certainly one of them!
Don't Like Drinking Water?
Some people simply don't like drinking water and want something with a little more pizzazz. Well, there are ways to spruce up old fashioned water to make it more palatable so that you can drink more of it. You can try adding a variety of fruits such as watermelon, berries, lemons, or oranges to your water. If you want something a little different, vegetables and herbs can work well, too. Cucumber and mint, lettuce, and celery can all help to take your water's flavor up a notch for more enjoyment. Try out different combinations to see what you like.
Water is powerful and essential to your health and wellness. So do what you can to ensure you're getting enough of it.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mission Viejo, Calif.