Are You Dehydrated?
By Sara Butler
Drinking enough water each day is an essential part of your health and wellness. Still, the Institutes of Health report that nearly 80 percent of Americans self-report that they don't drink enough water each day.
Dehydration, especially in the summer months, is serious. That's why it's important to ensure that you're drinking enough water and that you know what signs to be on the lookout for that means you need to drink more of it. Here's how to spot if you're dehydrated and some simple ways you can sip more water throughout the day.
How Your Body Loses Water
There are several ways your body loses water throughout the day that you must make a priority to replenish. Be mindful of these things so you can adequately adjust your water intake to ensure you stay hydrated:
- Sweating
- Breathing
- Breastfeeding
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Urination
- Stress
Signs You May Be Dehydrated
Drinking when you're thirsty is a good way to make sure you drink water when you're dehydrated, but you should also be on the lookout for some common symptoms of dehydration such as:
- Dry mouth - Being thirsty is one thing, but having a dry mouth is another big sign that you need some water fast.
- Fatigue - Most people don't realize that feeling really tired for no apparent reason can be a big indicator that you're dehydrated.
- Dark urine - The color of your urine is a good indicator of hour hydrated, or not hydrated, you are. The darker the urine, the more dehydrated.
- Headaches - Another common issue with dehydration is headaches, so have a glass of water the next time you have an aching head.
- Dry skin - This is a sign of long-term dehydration since water helps to keep the blood supply to the skin flowing.
How To Drink More Water
If you need helping being inspired to drink more water, then try a few tricks to make the idea more appealing or simply to help you remember. You can:
- Add fruit - Add fruit or herbs such as mint to your drinking water to help make it taste a little better
- Set a timer - Put a reminder on your phone or on your computer every hour to remind you to take a few sips throughout your workday
- Buy a nice water bottle - A water bottle that keeps your water ice cold may be a great investment that helps you to drink more
Water is a very important part of each day, so do what you can to make sure you don't become dehydrated!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.