Mildly Dehydrated? The Everyday Surprising Symptoms You Get From a Lack of Drinking Water
Considering the human body is 70% water and our brain is 80% water, it seems to make sense that we need to replenish it on a continuous basis. Unfortunately, the reality is that the majority of people are walking around mildly dehydrated and do not even know it!
Mild dehydration occurs when we lose more water from the body than we are taking in. Each day we lose water through many processes such as breathing, sweating, urination and elimination.
The unfortunate fact is that mild dehydration shows itself as thirst down the road, not when you should be stopping the dehydration process. Mild dehydration is losing about 1.5% of the normal water volume in your body, but most people’s thirst sensation doesn’t kick in until they’re 1 to 2% dehydrated. By that time it is already impacting the mind and body performance. Mild dehydration makes itself know through physical symptoms (ones to pay attention to) that most people tend to dismiss or do not connect with lack of water.
How do you know if you are dehydrated? Here are some symptoms of mild dehydration:
- Foggy Thinking
- Weight Gain
- Hunger
- Sugar Cravings
- Sleepiness or fatigue
- Thirst (at times)
- Decreased urine output
- Dry skin
- Headaches
- Muscle Cramps
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
To ensure you are hydrating adequately, drink a minimum of half your body weight in ounces of water each day and more if you exercise and/or the weather is hot. So if you weight 120 lbs., you need a minimum of 60 ounces of water each day. Another tip is to monitor the color of you urine. If it is very pale yellow in color, you are properly hydrated. Dark yellow or tan color urine indicates dehydration. Remember that certain medications and supplements (such as B vitamins) will change the color as well.
Make it easy for you to drink more water. Take a water bottle with you on the go, keep a glass or bottle filled with water on your desk and/or night stand, set an alarm via your computer or phone to remind yourself to drink up…and then feel the vibrant energy!
Here’s to your good health,
~Lori Shemek