Dehydration – H20 & Your Body!
DEHYDRATION AND YOUR BODY
What exactly is dehydration and what are the signs our bodies are telling us? Dehydration is the process of losing or removing water and moisture. Being dehydrated can cause rise in blood sodium levels and is normally accompanied by a lack of electrolytes. On average, water makes up about 65% of our body weight. With this in mind, it is easy to see that maintaining full hydration is optimal for our bodily functions! To test your water consumption, below are 5 easy warning signs to look out for.
YELLOW, YELLOW, YELLOW
Healthy urine has a slight yellow tint from a pigment called urochrome. But when your pee is a darker shade of yellow, dehydration is a leading culprit. The kidneys filter waste, but when you are lacking water, they tell your body to retain H2O. The dark yellow color is the result of not having normal levels of water in your urine.
ITS GETTING HOT IN HERE
Ever wonder why some people don’t sweat? Chances are, they are completely depleted of water. Sweating helps the body naturally cool down through evaporative cooling. When you aren’t sweating, your body can quickly overheat and is in some serious need of aqua.
ALLIGATOR SKIN
Your skin is an organ, just like the others in your body and is made of cells. And cells are comprised of water. Like other aspects of the body, lack of water decreases optimized function. If you have noticed your skin is splotchy, battles with acne, is susceptible to wrinkles… water may become your best friend. By drinking the proper amounts of water, your complexion may become more radiant and healthy.
DIZZY DAISY
Have you ever stood up and found yourself grabbing onto a nearby object to avoid passing out? Been there, not fun. This could be a warning sign from your body… telling you to DRINK MORE WATER! If you get a rush of lightheadedness, that means your blood volume and pressure drops. Being dehydrated can cause this reaction. If you experience constant headaches or pressure in the head, you could also be lacking water.
CATCHING SOME ZZZZZ’S
When all you can think about is counting sheep and going night night, something is off. Feeling constantly fatigued is a good indicator that your water intake isn’t what it should be. When you are dehydrated, oxygen content in the blood is reduced causing low blood pressure and the slowing of nerve and muscle function causing abnormal tiredness.
Pay attention to your water intake to essentially benefit your overall health. If you lack in any of these areas, it may be beneficial to download an app, such as iHydrate, to help you track your intake throughout the day. All this talk about water; grabbing a glass as we speak!