Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Signs you may be dehydrated

The human body is about 70% water. You lose over 2 liters of water just through normal activities. We even exhale half a liter of water throughout the day! We do get about 20% of our fluids from food, but we need to drink much more than we think. Adult women should consume 2.7 liters per day; men 3.7 liters. Here are the most common signs you need more water. 

Feeling thirsty.  Believe it or not, this means you’re dehydrated or close to it! 

A dry mouth. When your oral mucosa, an immune defense, dries and is weakened you can be prone to infections. You need to drink immediately or at least rinse out your mouth until you can have a good drink. 

Dark urine. When we drink too little our urine becomes concentrated and turns dark. It is one of the easiest self-tests to see if we are drinking enough. Normal urine should be nearly colorless or a very pale yellow if we are getting enough fluids. 

Poor concentration and fatigue. Reduced blood volume means our brain is not properly supplied with blood and nutrients. When your brain is not well supplied it can cause headaches and dizziness as well as fatigue. If you do feel dizzy often even after hydrating, you should visit your doctor.

Dry skin. Dehydration can also influence your appearance. Dry skin and lips are typical signs you need hydration. Pinch the skin on the back of your hand and pull it up; if it returns slowly, it is a sign of dehydration. Your skin may also appear pale as the nutrient and oxygen supply is no longer optimal. You may experience dark circles under your eyes. When you don’t hydrate enough your blood becomes thicker. This causes dark circles, sunken eyes and increased eye wrinkles. 

Constipation. If you drink too little your intestines draw moisture from your stool and that reduces their volume. The intestinal tract is therefore less full, and the body doesn’t feel compelled to eliminate waste.  Dehydration can also cause your stomach to bloat when waste is not moving freely. This causes bacterial imbalances and therefore bloat. 

So let’s make sure to get enough fluid throughout the day so we can avoid these issues! 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago