Dehydration is a significant issue that affects millions of people each year. It can cause a variety of health issues, including headaches, muscle cramps, and stomachaches. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from dehydration. The following are five signs of dehydration and what to do.
Decreased Urination
A decrease in urine volume can indicate that you are suffering from dehydration. This could be due to a variety of factors. These factors may include taking diuretics, which reduce urine production, or consuming less water and other fluids. Signs of dehydration include the inability to urinate or your urine will be a dark yellow color.
Increased Thirst
A strong desire for fluids, along with constant dry mouth, headache, dizziness, nausea, and muscle cramps, is often the first sign of dehydration. Listen to your body when it tells you it needs water.
Suppose your mouth isn’t moist enough to produce saliva. In that case, this could also be a sign of trouble, not only in staying hydrated but also in digesting enough nutrients at mealtimes. If you start to feel thirsty, drink a glass of water and wait an hour before drinking another.
Light-Headedness or Dizziness
When you get dehydrated, your blood volume decreases, and it becomes more challenging to maintain proper circulation within your body. You’ve probably experienced light-headedness at some point in your life due to not drinking enough water.
This is because your brain requires oxygen, which you can cut off due to various factors. If this happens for no apparent reason (even if you’re sitting at rest), there could be a problem with your body’s hydration.
If you have the sensation that you are about to pass out, it is an indication that something is wrong. Drinking water immediately is the best thing to do in these situations. Small amounts can help prevent dizzy spells by keeping your blood pressure stable and your circulation consistent throughout the rest of your body.
Heart Rate
Dehydration can impair the performance of your heart in a variety of ways. When the heart isn’t pumping blood to the brain as it should, people can feel lightheaded or dizzy. This indicates that you require more water.
Dehydration can also prevent blood from flowing into veins and arteries throughout the body, reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to organs and other areas in need. Drink some water and keep an eye out for any changes.
If there aren’t any after about 15 minutes, drink another 16 ounces and check back later. If you still don’t notice a difference in your heart rate or sensation, see a doctor right away. Heart rate can also get affected by how active you are, whether you have an anxiety attack, and other factors. It’s critical to understand your regular heart rate to monitor changes when they occur correctly.
Difficulty Concentrating
It may not appear to be a big deal if you have difficulty focusing on the task at hand. Or remembering something that happened earlier in the day due to mild-to-moderate dehydration. After all, who hasn’t felt this way at some point in their lives?
However, being unable to focus can have serious consequences, mainly if your job requires you to be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.
Many people get involved in car accidents or other situations that they could avoid because of dehydration and can’t think clearly. Stay mentally active and hydrated at all times by being aware of your surroundings, paying attention to those around you, and not driving when tired.
What to Do About It
To combat dehydration you need to make sure to drink water. In fact, drinking water with electrolytes helps the water rehydrate you faster than water without electrolytes. According to Boulder Salt Company, “the body needs electrolytes in the proper ratios to optimally absorb and use water.” Hydration requires a balance of electrolytes and water. Electrolytes are minerals that conduct electricity in the body, including sodium, potassium, and calcium. Drinking water alone does not keep these levels up. But drinking a mix of water and electrolyte-rich salt will help you stay hydrated. So, drink up!
Bottom Line
If you experience any of these symptoms for an extended period, you should see a doctor. It is because there could be something else going on. Dehydration isn’t the only thing that can cause problems with concentration, mental awareness, and so on. Seeing a doctor is critical to getting everything sorted out as soon as possible. In general, staying hydrated should help prevent many potentially dangerous situations from becoming severe concerns.
