What are the Signs of Dehydration?

Dehydration is a situation in which the body lacks fluids. This interferes with the way the body works, even life-threatening. In order to get over it quickly, you need to know the signs of dehydration, which can be more than just thirst.

Signs of Dehydration that appear

Some conditions that cause dehydration include fever, exposure to high temperatures, high sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you experience conditions like the above, you will be more susceptible to dehydration which can be dangerous for your health.

Here are a few signs of Dehydration that you should watch for.

1. Bad breath

Launching research published in the Journal of Pharmacy & BioAllied Sciences, when the body lacks water, saliva production decreases.

Saliva serves to clean the mouth of food residue and is antibacterial. When saliva levels decrease, the remaining dirt that is left behind can cause unpleasant odors.

That’s why bad breath can be a sign of dehydration. For that, don’t forget to drink water for fresh breath throughout the day.

2. Muscle cramps

When dehydrated, the levels of electrolytes or mineral salts in the body decrease. This can interfere with a number of tissue functions, including muscles.

Electrolytes play an important role in the process of muscle contraction during body movement, especially during exercise.

If your body doesn’t get enough fluids during exercise, signs of dehydration such as muscle cramps can appear.

3. Craving sweet food

Dehydration can trigger the desire to eat sweet foods. This is related to the process of breaking down glycogen as an energy reserve.

Water is useful for maintaining organ function, one of which is the liver. This organ of the body functions to store sugar reserves, namely glycogen.

When the body is dehydrated, the liver has difficulty releasing glycogen. As a result, the brain gives a signal for the body to get sugar intake from food.

4. Tired

When the body lacks water, the body is not fully in top condition. Dehydration can affect the process of blood circulation.

As a result of dehydration, blood volume is reduced so that blood pressure becomes low.

Decreased blood pressure causes you to be easily drowsy, tired, dizzy, or confused.

5. Dry skin

Dry skin can be a sign of dehydration. Lack of fluid intake can affect the appearance of the skin, generally the skin becomes dry.

According to research from the journal Nutrients, additional water intake can increase the hydration of the outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) so that it is more moist and elastic.

However, the strength of this research is still weak, so further evidence is needed. Apart from that, meeting fluid intake is still effective in preventing dehydration

6. Constipation

The next sign of dehydration that you can find is difficulty in defecating or constipation.

Fibrous foods do play an important role for smooth bowel movements. However, water intake is no less important.

Apparently, when the large intestine is dehydrated, this will make the stool harder and harder to pass. So, you also have to push harder.

7. Dark yellow urine

Changes in the color of your urine are the easiest signs of dehydration to notice. When adequate fluid intake, urine looks bright and even almost clear.

Meanwhile, dehydration makes the color of urine more concentrated and dark because the water content in the urine is reduced.

Therefore, the substances contained in the urine become more concentrated and the color of the urine looks darker.

8. Dizzy

When the body is dehydrated, the volume of blood decreases. This can lower blood pressure and make the brain less blood.

As a result, you will feel signs of dehydration in the form of dizziness.

9. Heart pounding

Again, this sign of dehydration appears due to an electrolyte imbalance.

In addition to maintaining muscle condition, electrolytes are useful for keeping the heart rate stable.

Lack of electrolyte levels when dehydrated causes an abnormal heart rate. So you can feel your heart pounding.

10. Seizures

Indeed, dehydration causes electrolyte levels to be imbalanced. Electrolytes work to send electrical signals to every cell.

When the amount of electrolytes in the body is not optimal, this electrical signal becomes chaotic. This turns out to trigger involuntary muscle contractions and spasms.

When should you go to the doctor’s?

If the following signs of dehydration appear, immediately consult a doctor or seek emergency medical help.

1. Fever up to 38 degrees.
2. Not urinating throughout the day.
3. The heartbeat is weak or too fast.
4. Decreased consciousness to complete loss of consciousness.
5. Tired too much.
6. Unbearable headache.
7. seizures.
8. Difficulty breathing.
9. Chest or abdominal pain.

Thirst is the main sign of dehydration, but there are a number of other signs you need to watch out for.

To prevent dehydration and its complications, make sure you get enough fluids by drinking eight glasses or 2 liters of water per day.