Warning Signs You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

Warning Signs You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

Not drinking enough water can mean you are dehydrated. The degree of severity will change depending on how much water you have consumed on a particular day, the weather and how much physical activity you have gotten in, among other factors. Your body has signals in place for thirst which kick in only after some time. So, when you feel very thirsty, you are already mildly dehydrated. It is more often observed in very young children, the old and someone who is too busy to do anything about it.

Early Symptoms Of Dehydration In Adults-

Symptoms associated with dehydration cannot be generalised for adults, children and the elderly. They each have subtle differences that you need to watch out for. We have listed out the signs you would notice in adults below-

• You may present with a severe headache or feel very tired
• You may feel dizzy too
• If your mouth feels very dry
• When your heart is beating rapidly but blood pressure is on the lower end
• You may not be hingry but still crave sugary stuff
• Cramps in muslces during exercise
• Feeling constipated
• Urine looks dark in colour or smells too funky and not pee that often either.

The symptoms of mild vs. severe dehydration vary in degree again. Mild includes feeling slightly tired or having a headache while severe dehydration can be fatal for children and adults alike. Dehydration can be risky business, leading to issues with blood pressure. Your body tries to compensate for loss of fluid by increasing blood pressure but if that gets too high, then that is a major problem. Water is needed for a variety of processes in the body. Some of them are as follows-

• Water helps in keeping your blood flow and helps in regulating blood pressure. Blood is also the only fluid that will help all your cells in the body get sufficient oxygen.
• Your brain needs plenty of water to function and synthesise important neurotransmitters which are messenger molecules which are similar to hormones.
• Your bones and joints are naturally cushioned by water
• Drinking enough water can help in thermoregulation (regulating body temperature)

Let us look at some health risks associated with inadequate water consumption too. Some of the complications that can develop inlcude heat stroke, serious electrolyte imbalance, kidney failure. Very severe dehydration can even lead to a coma or shock, which are major medical events. Dehydration is normally categorised into 3 classes- mild, moderate and severe respectively. You can treat mild cases with just fluid replenishment at home. Moderate cases will require an IV solution to be administered. But severe cases will mean that you may need to be hospitalised.

Conclusion

Not drinking water can have widespread effects on the body- let us look at how dehydration affects skin and energy levels. Your skin will feel very dry and itchy and this is something you don’t want to deal with, now in the winter. Dehydration is normally diagnosed with the symptoms you are showing, apart from looking at your kidney function and related tests using blood as the sample. Some other unwanted side effects include weight gain and not sweating enough or at all. We suggest that you remain very watchful of any children, toddlers or the elderly in your cae. See if you can get them to drink fluids in some form (not carbonated and defintely NOT sweetened) and offer them drinks often (like every hour or so). Be vigilant and watch out for these subtle signs and symptoms in people you are with along with yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dehydration cause headaches and fatigue?

Yes, they can leave you feeling disorientated and severe headaches. They typically go away if you drink enough fluids in the next half hour or so.

What are the effects of chronic dehydration on health?

You can have problems with the heart, kidneys, brain, feel tired all the time and notice stark differences in skin texture. Your muscles and joints are also heavily affected.

Can not drinking enough water cause digestive problems?

Yes, water is necessary for your digestive system to work properly. Apart from constipation, you may also have to deal with bloating, indigestion and halitosis.

What are the best ways to stay hydrated throughout the day?

If you are not a plain water connoisseur, then you can consider adding some flavour – like cucumber, mint, lemon, fruit juices and have lots of vegetables and water based fruits. No caffeine, no sugar and no soda and you should be fine.

How do you know if you’re drinking enough water during exercise?
You should drink some water before you begin working out and then continue to drink about 100-150 ml of water every 15 minutes or so of your workout. You can also supplement with electrolyte drinks if the session is especially demanding.