Are You Thirsty? Here Are 5 Signs of Dehydration

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Are you thirsty?

When is the last time you drank a full glass of water?

Believe it or not, a lot of us are dehydrated.

In fact, 25% of kids and teenagers don’t drink ANY water as part of their fluid intake. A surprising number of adults don’t drink any water either. One study reveals that half of Americans do not get their recommended daily intake of water. Overtime low water intake can lead to serious health complications such as digestive issues, urinary tract infections, anxiety and chronic fatigue.

Here is where it gets downright shocking:

According to a report by CBS, 75% of Americans suffer from dehydration!

That’s crazy! Most would assume dehydration occurs to those with limited access to  water, but that is not the case. Because water composes about 60% of our bodies, 75% of our muscles, and 85% of our brains, it is very easy to not get adequate amounts on a daily basis. Seems harmless but  over time dehydration can inhibit your body from functioning at an optimal level. It can leave you feeling lethargic, sick and even depressed!

Worse of all, coupling dehydration along with high caffeinated beverages (yes, starbucks!) makes you even more dehydrated. When you are very dehydrated, your brain receives signals similar to hunger so you may end up eating more food to satisfy yourself. Therefore, increasing your water intake can help lower your pants size too.

HERE ARE 5 SIGNS YOU’RE DEHYDRATED:

1. YOUR MOUTH, SKIN, AND EYES FEEL DRY.

   The biggest sign of dehydration appears on your skin. Your skin is the body’s largest organ so of course; visible signs of dehydration would appear there first. If you are not getting enough water, you will not be able to sweat out all the toxins in your body. Over time, excess toxins clog up your pores resulting in breakouts.

   If you have trouble producing tears, it could be more than emotional coldness. Dehydration could also be the culprit. In general, when in doubt, take a gulp.

2. YOU RARELY USE THE BATHROOM AND HAVE DARK URINE.
   

   Sorry for the TMI, but if you are using the restroom very infrequently, that is a major sign of dehydration. Many people do not eliminate waste enough times a day. When this happens, toxins continue to accumulate inside the body. Water helps to flush out these toxins. If you only go to the bathroom once a day, you are probably dehydrated. Also, next time you use the restroom, try to remember to examine your urine. Darker urine signifies low hydration levels. You need fluids in your body to maintain vital bodily functions. Drink up!

3. YOU FEEL EXHAUSTED AND HAVE WILD MOOD SWINGS.
   

   Crazy enough, lack of water can make you depressed. Water brings oxygen into the body so the more water you drink, the more alive you feel. However, when you do not drink enough water, the body must get oxygen from the blood to compensate which sucks away oxygen from your body. This slows down your entire system making you more tired, moody and downright lethargic.

4. YOU’RE RAVENOUSLY HUNGRY ALL THE TIME.
   

   Hunger pains usually indicate you need to eat, but that’s not always the case. It can also mean you are dehydrated. Hunger and thirst signals are very similar, almost identical. Therefore, when people are thirsty, they often think they are hungry so they eat more. Hunger and thirst cues actually come from the same part of the brain. Next time you feel unreasonably hungry; try drinking a glass of water. If the pain goes away, that means you were simply dehydrated. If it does not, you need to eat something as well.

5. YOU HAVE TROUBLE CONCENTRATING AND HAVE MIGRAINES.
   

   Think you have trouble concentrating? Dehydration might be to blame. When the brain lacks adequate amounts of water, the brain shrinks and pulls away from the skull. This sends an alarm to the pain receptors in the brain resulting in migraines and low concentration. Being dehydrated means there is less oxygen going to the brain which can further lower your attention span.

What more can we say? Drink more water! In sobriety, it is so important to take care of your insides and your outsides. Take it a day at a time and if you are struggling, do not be afraid to reach out for help. You are not alone in this fight. Call now. If you or anyone you know is struggling with substance use disorder or mental illness, please call toll-free 1-800-777-9588.

Author: Shernide Delva