While it is assumed that dehydration is a problem in the summer when the temperatures are high, it can affect you in any season, and it is important to recognise the signs. Recently Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit’s husband, Dr Shriram Nene took to social media to talk about the same. In the viral video, Dr Nene talked about the 6 signs of dehydration that you should be careful about, irrespective of the season it is.
6 symptoms of dehydration
1. Dry mouth and skin
One of the most obvious signs of dehydration, and yet the most overlooked one, a dry mouth is not to be confused with one being merely thirsty. When you’re thirsty, a glass of water works wonders but if you have dry mouth thanks to dehydration, simply drinking some water doesn’t help. This is because our bodies need a certain level of hydration to function smoothly, and when one is dehydrated, it impacts the system overall. This also means that saliva production gets impacted, and even after you’ve had water, the dryness will remain. The same is true with dry skin. This sign of dehydration is often more visible, and merely moisturizing doesn’t fix it. Most of the lotions and moisturizers are oil-based and merely seal the hydration in the skin.
2. Dark urine
This sign of dehydration works on a very simple mechanism. When kidneys expel the liquid waste from the body, water acts as a fluid medium, and a certain level of dilution makes sure that the process is seamless. When your body is dehydrated, this waste is much more concentrated, hence the colour. Ideally, the colour of your urine should be pale straw colour.
3. Frequent headaches
Headaches are of a few types, and if you figure out the types, you can understand what it is that your body is trying to tell you. The migraine headache, for example, is often only observed on a single side of the head, and in comparison, headaches stemming from hypertension make an imaginary band across your head. The dehydration headache is generally felt in the front of the head and goes away with a bit of rest and water.
4. Feeling tired
This is one of those dehydration signs that are not obvious, and hence commonly missed. If you are resting enough, consuming a proper diet, and yet feel tired all the time, odds are that you’re dehydrated. Ample hydration is required for the proper functioning of our body and organ systems. If you’re dehydrated it’ll eventually take a toll on the absorption, and other mechanisms, which means that the body will need a lot more energy to function, making you feel tired all the time.
5. Muscle cramps
If you lead an active life, workout regularly, or your daily schedule is gruelling, you need rest and hydration in equal measures. Dehydration brings with it electrolyte and mineral loss, which negatively impacts the muscles, and can cause cramps either while you’re working out, or even after that in the resting period.
6. Dizziness
This is one of the more severe symptoms of dehydration, and you might medical attention if you have gotten to this stage. Dehydration-induced dizziness comes into the picture as often lack of fluids in the body often lowers the blood pressure or blood volume. When this happens, less blood and oxygen reach the brain, making you feel lightheaded.
Fix your dehydration
Now that you’ve learnt about what are often overlooked symptoms of dehydration, let’s quickly understand what can you do to avoid them.
- Hydrate. Well, it is as simple as this. And often easier said than done. The key is to keep drinking water regularly throughout the day. If you keep forgetting to keep track, we suggest getting one of those water bottles that have markings for each hour. That way you can challenge your brain and gamify the entire process.
- If your dehydration symptoms are anything beyond a dry mouth, you’ve charted into fluid imbalance territory. In this case, it is imperative you get electrolytes in the system. One easy way of this is to have ORS or Oral Rehydration Solution. Apart from this, fruit juices can also help, and so can other hydrating drinks. ORS still remains your best bet though.
- If your dehydration is coupled with a hangover, ORS will be a better option than simply drinking water. But that’s not all. For dehydration like this, make sure you’re consuming fluids in different ways. Supplement your ORS intake with fresh fruits, and make sure you are hydrated enough before you head to bed at night. The combination of rest and hydration is sure to work wonders.