The dryness of the desert sands, the parched lips of a traveller, and the fading petals of a flower all indicate the same thing: dehydration. It sneaks up on us, like a silent robber, draining our energy and vigor. When your body loses more fluid than it consumes, it becomes dehydrated. As a result of the fluid loss, your body no longer has enough water and other fluids to function normally. You must drink enough of water every day to replace your fluids. In other words, it’s not too tough to avoid dehydration.
It is critical to drink enough water every day for a variety of reasons, including maintaining a normal body temperature, lubricating joints, preventing infections, nourishing cells, and keeping healthy organs. Additionally, being hydrated improves mood, cognition, and sleep.So, how much water should we drink to prevent dehydration? The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommend that men consume approximately 3.7 litres (125 ounces) of water per day, while women should drink approximately 2.7 litres (91 ounces) per day. However, it is crucial to note that these are broad suggestions, and individual needs may differ depending on age, gender, weight, and activity level.
How Lack of Water Affects You
Feeling Thirsty.
In this scenario, it appears to be an obvious choice. However, if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Your body uses thirst as a natural defense mechanism to alert you when your fluid levels are out of balance. When your thirst instinct arises, you are already out of balance and require hydration.
You feel exhausted.
Losing bodily fluids can induce weariness and poor energy as your body tries to function with less fluid than it needs. If you’re feeling tired and flat after receiving a good night’s sleep, drinking more water may help you recover.
Your headaches have grown.
Dehydration can lower the amount of blood and oxygen sent to your brain, resulting in inflammation and a throbbing headache. If you have a headache, try sipping water to see if it relieves your symptoms before taking pain relievers.
You are constipated.
Water is responsible for your good digestion and consistent, soft bowel movements. However, if you do not drink enough water, your body will extract water from your stool. If you experience hard, inconsistent, or infrequent bowel movements, your body will send you a signal to drink more water.
It is taking you longer to get better.
Your body acts like a machine, constantly filtering out certain waste elements. If you do not feed the system with adequate water to flush, the toxins will remain in the body for a longer amount of time than necessary.
You have a craving!
You may be shocked to learn that hunger and thirst are not as distinct as you might think. When you feel the want to snack, it’s likely that you’re actually dehydrated. Before reaching for the chips, try sipping a glass of water to see whether the sensation has subsided.
Insufficient Urination.
If you are well hydrated, you should use the restroom 4-10 times per day. When you urinate, it should be light yellow or practically clear. The body requires water to remove toxins from your system, so signs that you aren’t getting enough include less frequent urination and darker-colored urine.
Your skin is dry.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and need water to stay hydrated. Hydrated skin cells make your skin appear more vibrant and bright. If you don’t drink enough water, your skin may get dry and flaky, and you risk developing fine wrinkles and sagging skin.
You are not sweating enough.
Sweating is another way for your body to eliminate contaminants and regulate its temperature. Sweating may decrease as your body tries to conserve fluids while you are dehydrated. If you do not sweat, your skin will be unable to discharge excess debris and oil accumulated over the day. Drinking more water will help your skin become cleaner, clearer, and brighter.
You have frequent joint ache.
Water accounts for approximately 80% of cartilage. This water helps to cushion the impact of walking, jumping, and running by keeping your bones from rubbing against one another. When you’re dehydrated, your joints suffer from both dehydration and the stresses of everyday living.
