Dehydration occurs when your body is losing more fluid than it’s taking in. This loss of fluid means your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out normal functions. In order to replace those fluids, you need to drink plenty of water every day. In other words, preventing dehydration isn’t very hard to do.
However, according to studies, 75% of Americans are in a state of chronic dehydration. This can cause issues ranging from feeling a little tired to having a throbbing headache. In this article, we will tell you 10 signs that you may be dehydrated so you can grab the water bottle and avoid the discomfort.
1. You Feel Thirsty
Yes, this one seems like a no-brainer. However, if you’re feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Thirst is an automatic defense mechanism that alerts your body that your fluids are out of balance. Whenever your thirst instinct is triggered, that means you’re already out of balance and you need to hydrate.
2. You’re Feeling Tired
Losing fluid in your body can lead to periods of fatigue and low energy as your body tries to operate on less fluid than it needs to function. If you’re feeling tired and flat even though you’ve had a good night’s sleep, boosting your water intake could help you out of that funk.
3. You’re Getting Headaches
Dehydration can lower blood flow and oxygen to your brain and then cause inflammation that can give you a throbbing headache. If you’re experiencing a headache, try drinking water before reaching for the pain meds to see if that relieves the discomfort.
4. You’re Constipated
If you have good digestion and soft, regular bowel movements, you have water to thank. However, not drinking enough water causes your body to pull water from stool. Hard, irregular or infrequent bowel movements are your body’s way of saying to up the water intake.
5. You’re Taking Longer to Get Healthy
Your body is like a machine, and it filters out certain waste products continuously. However, if you’re not giving it enough water for that system to flush, it won’t work like it’s designed to, causing those toxins to stick around longer than they should.
6. You Feel Hungry
The difference between feeling thirsty and feeling hungry isn’t as big as you may think. When you’re feeling like you might want a snack, chances are you are actually dehydrated. Instead of reaching for the chips, try drinking a glass of water instead to see if the sensation goes away.
7. You’re Not Urinating Enough
On average, you should be heading to the bathroom 4-10 times a day if you’re hydrating enough. And when you go, your urine should be light yellow or almost clear in color. Less frequent urination and urine that has a darker color are signs that you aren’t giving your body enough water to flush toxins from your system.
8. You Have Dry Skin
As the body’s largest organ, your skin also needs to be hydrated by drinking water. Hydrated skin cells give your skin a brighter, more vibrant look. Without enough water, your skin can become dry and flaky and you could develop fine lines and sagging skin.
9. You’re Not Sweating
Sweating is another way your body flushes out toxins and maintains body temperature. Dehydration causes your body to hold onto the fluids it can, so sweating may decrease. Without sweating, your skin will also be unable to get rid of excess dirt and oil that it accumulates throughout the day. For clearer, brighter, cleaner skin, try drinking more water.
10. You’re Experiencing Joint Pain
Cartilage is made up of about 80% water. This water keeps your bones from grinding together and helps absorb the shock from walking, jumping, and running. When you’re dehydrated, your joints are also dehydrated and the shock from everyday living begins to take a toll.
Keeping your body hydrated might be one of the easiest things you do to stay healthy and healthy-looking. If you’re experiencing pain or fatigue that rehydrating doesn’t seem to be helping, the professionals at South Orange Chiropractic might be able to help. Book an appointment today to discuss chiropractic remedies that could help you feel great again.
