Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than it takes in. Dehydration means that your body does not have enough water or other fluids to function properly. To replenish these fluids, you need to drink plenty of water every day. In other words, preventing dehydration is not that difficult.
However, studies show that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. It can cause problems ranging from mild fatigue to headaches. In this article, we’ll tell you 10 signs you might be dehydrated so you can grab a water bottle and avoid the discomfort.
- You are thirsty
Yes, it seems like a no-brainer. However, if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Thirst is an automatic defense mechanism that alerts you to fluid imbalance. Whenever your thirst instinct kicks in, it means you’re already out of balance and need to hydrate. - You are tired
Dehydration can lead to periods of fatigue and low energy as your body tries to function on less fluid than it needs. If you’ve had a good night’s sleep but feel tired, increasing your water intake can help alleviate this problem. - You have a headache
Dehydration reduces blood flow and oxygen to your brain, which can lead to inflammation and headaches. If you have a headache, make sure to drink some water before you take pain relievers to see if the discomfort subsides. - You are constipated
If you have good digestion and soft, regular bowel movements, you have water to thank. However, not drinking enough water can cause your body to pull water from your stool. Hard, irregular, or infrequent bowel movements are ways to increase your body’s water intake. - You’re taking more time to get healthy
Your body is like a machine, constantly filtering out certain waste products. However, if you don’t give this system enough water to flush, it won’t work as intended and those toxins will stick around longer than they should. - You are hungry
The difference between thirst and hunger is not as big as you think. If you feel like you’re craving a snack, you’re probably really dehydrated. Try drinking a glass of water instead of chips and see if the feeling goes away. - You don’t pee enough
If you’re hydrating enough, you should go to the bathroom 4-10 times a day on average. When you leave, your urine should be light yellow or almost clear. Decreased urination and dark urine is a sign that you are not getting enough water to flush toxins from your body. - You have dry skin
As your body’s largest organ, your skin also needs to stay hydrated by drinking water. Hydrated skin cells make your skin look brighter and more vibrant. Without enough water, your skin can become dry and flaky, with fine lines and sagging skin. - You’re not sweating
Sweating is another way your body flushes out toxins and maintains body temperature. Dehydration causes your body to retain as much fluid as it can, which results in less sweating. If you don’t sweat, your skin can’t get rid of excess dirt and oil accumulated throughout the day. Try drinking more water for clearer, brighter, clearer skin. - You feel joint pain
About 80% of cartilage is water. This water keeps your bones from grinding together and helps absorb shock from walking, jumping, and running. When you’re dehydrated, your joints become dehydrated too, and the stresses of everyday life become more difficult.
Keeping your body hydrated may be one of the easiest things you can do to look and feel healthy. If you have pain or fatigue that doesn’t seem to be helped by rehydration, the professionals at South Orange Chiropractic can help. Book an appointment today to discuss chiropractic care to help you feel great again.