You probably know that our bodies are 75% made of water.
-Fluid circulates in the vessels, fills various cells and stays between the cells. It is involved in numerous processes, which help us stay healthy and active.
-We lose water throughout the day, vaporizing it when breathe, cry and sweat. Our body eliminates water through urine and feces. Along with fluid, certain amounts of electrolytes are removed from the body too.
-To maintain normal functioning, your body tries to adapt water intake to water losses.
-We replenish body liquid, drinking beverages and eating water-rich foods.
-However sometimes we fail to fill the needs of water, as we’re too busy, sick to get a glass of drink, or don’t have safe resources of drinking water (in travels, camps etc.):
-When your body loses more fluid than you take in, it is medically called dehydration.
-It may occur because of numerous reasons, from impaired sense of thirst (in older adults) to high fever, profuse diarrhea, severe vomiting and increased urination (in those, who live with high blood glucose levels or take water pills).
In most cases, your body sends your warning signs that it lacks in water, before serious health problems start to develop. What are these warning signs?
HEADACHE
-dehydration may trigger migraine attack, especially if you’re predisposed to this type of headaches. That’s why painful sensations in the head may get relieved after drinking a glass of plain water.
DRY MOUTH
-inadequate water intake may reduce production of saliva, which normally moisturizes your mouth. This causes unpleasant sensations in the mouth and bad breath.
CHANGES IN URINE
-when you don’t drink enough, your body tries to “save” water, reducing amount of urine. Moreover, this urine becomes very concentrated that makes it more yellow than normal.
DROWSINESS
-it’s common that dehydration makes people feel sleepy all the time, even after restful night sleep.
MUSCLE SPASMS
-you lose salts and electrolytes with fluid, you know. If these losses stay uncorrected, electrolyte balance in the organism may be disturbed that sometimes causes muscle cramps in the limbs.
DIZZINESS
-you may feel dizzy and lightheaded because of numerous reasons. And lack of water is one of them.
EXTREME TIREDNESS
-when you’re dehydrated, you may feel dramatically exhausted, even if you haven’t been engaged in vigorous physical activities.
INCREASED HEART RATE
-in advanced cases, dehydration makes the heart to beat too fast in order to compensate drop of blood pressure, which occurs because of severe fluid loss.