In the United States, 17 to 28 percent of older adults are dehydrated and it is the major cause of frequent hospitalization. Dehydration can affect people of any age. They complicate other medical conditions and cause significant illness.
The increasing count of “water reminder apps” in the app store market alone can show you how often we forget to drink the required amount of water on a daily basis.
But how do you know whether you are well-hydrated or dehydrated?
Here are 8 signs that you might be dehydrated
Increased Thirst
If you are experiencing thirst, and a dry, and sticky mouth, then you are obviously dehydrated. Try to drink your daily water requirement and if you are someone who spends more time outside and exercising then drink more water.
Fatigue
When you are dehydrated, you might feel more tired than usual and you might feel more fatigued during exercise and other activities of daily living.
Dark Colored Urine
The color of urine is a way of identifying if you are dehydrated or not. When you have not drunk enough fluids, your kidneys try to save as much water as they can and cause your urine to be darker in color (more concentrated). It is a sign that you must consume more fluids than you are currently taking.
Low Urine Output
Low urine output also means you are dehydrated. This happens when the kidney does not have enough water to retain and eventually can lead to Urinary Tract Infection and/or Urinary Tract Obstruction.
Dry Skin and Cracked Lips
Dry skin, dry mouth, and cracked lips mean you are dehydrated, but they could also be due to other health conditions. Your physician may perform a skin turgor test by grasping the skin on the lower arm or abdomen between two fingers and then releasing it after a few seconds. If the skin remains tented, you are definitely dehydrated.
Headaches
Frequent headaches and migraine mean your body is not getting enough fluid it requires. Even mild dehydration can cause headaches and often is accompanied by the other symptoms of dry skin, dry lips, and tongue.
Light-headedness and Dizziness
Dehydration causes you to feel light-headed and dizzy. Dehydration results in reduced blood pressure or lower blood volume and when this happens, blood may not reach your brain in the way that it should. In severe cases, you may even faint (especially older adults).
Lack of Sweat
This is one of the most serious symptoms to look out for as it is a sign of severe dehydration. Particularly, lack of sweat during aggressive activities and workouts shows that you are dehydrated and probably suffering heat exhaustion too.
Staying hydrated is important for many reasons, such as regulating body temperature, keeping your joints lubricated, preventing infection, and for the organs to function. About 60% of your body is made of water and your body depends on water to survive. Each cell, tissue, and organ, including your skin, need water to be healthy and function properly. Drinking water is not the only way to stay hydrated, particularly if you are suffering from a hangover or extreme dehydration.
IV fluids can be quite capable of rehydrating your body since they are a customizable blend of essential vitamins and nutrients that are delivered directly to the bloodstream for rapid and maximal absorption of nearly 100%.
Kommentare