10 Signs that you are not drinking enough water

Signs that you are not drinking enough water

Are you aware that more than half of your body weight comes from water!! However if your levels are off, it can show up in a surprising number of ways.

Did you observe that when you push hard at the gym, all that sweating might actually lower your blood levels for a bit?

If it is mild dehydration, you might feel lethargic, tired, headache or even a mild effect on your mood levels

There is nothing more refreshing in this world than a tall, ice cold water or even sucking an ice cube!

Many a times a simple glass of water can be more satisfying to your body than a cup of coffee or a can of soda.

Even after knowing and realizing these facts, we deprive our body of this world’s most natural resource, thus continuously damaging our bodies

Following are the signs are symptoms that you are not drinking enough H2O-

Signs that you are not drinking enough water

1. Thirst, thirst and thirst

It usually happens that by the time you get the urge to quench your thirst ,your thirst cranks up and you are already a little dehydrated.

In this condition, you might experience a desert-like-tongue. Your brain might send a signal- “YES PLEASE” for a glass of water. And then,  you decide to snag a glass of water or a drink.

Not to forget, those sugary drinks are a temporary solution to a larger problem

2. Dry chapped lips and a dry mouth

It is the most common sign and symptom that your body is lacking enough water.

A dry, sticky and a nasty feeling in your mouth and lack of saliva is indicative of lack of water in body.

Drinking a glass of H2O lubricates the mucus membranes in your mouth and throat and increases saliva production after that very first sip!!

3. Less passing of urine

If you don’t pee very often, or take a trip to the restroom 4-7 times a day, it might show that your body is dehydrated.

Many a times, when you pass urine, there may not be very much pee, or it may be dark or with a strong smell.

In extreme cases, dehydration can lead to urinary tract infections too!!

4. Rapid heart rate

Your breathing and heart rate may be faster than normal when dehydrated.

5. Dry skin

A dry and dull skin is one of the earliest signs of full-on dehydration.

If you are among those folks who don’t drink water regularly, it reduces sweat production. This reduces your body’s ability to wash and throw away excess dirt and toxins accumulated throughout the body.

If you want to avert these breakouts, your first resource should be to drink enough water.

6. Joint pain

Our spinal discs and cartilage constitutes of 80% water. Water is a necessity to keep our bones from experiencing friction with each and every step we take.

Water is necessary to ensure that your joints can absorb the shock of sudden movements.

7. Your eyes are dry

Drinking less water might lead to dry and blood shot eyes. Lack of water causes your tear ducts to dry up.

8. You feel lethargic or fatigue

When your body lacks water, it borrows water from your blood and lack of hydrated blood reduces oxygen supply throughout the body causing fatigue and sleepiness.

9. You experience hunger pangs

When dehydrated, your body might be confused and may start thinking that it needs some food.

Regular midnight cravings and feeling hungry throughout the day might be a symptom of this confusion.

Then you won’t stop yourself from snacking which creates more work for your body. However, if you realize this hunger cum thirst and fuel your body with water, your body organs are purified too.

10. Digestive issues

Lack of enough water might cause constant indigestion, heart burn and acidity issues.

Staying hydrated helps lubricate the digestive system. Drinking less water does not create a healthy bowel movement too!!

This constipation and indigestion can be relieved by grabbing a glass of water regularly.

The bottom line-

Remember, we lose water from our bodies in many ways. It can be through simple breathing, sweating, urination and passing stools even.

Our body usually gives us subtle signs to indicate that we are not drinking enough water. But many of us actually ignore it. 

There is no mentioned specific amount of water that we need to drink all day long. It completely varies from person to person.

Also surrounding weather conditions, physical activity levels determine our body’s fluid requirements. The usual recommendation is around 2- liters of water a day for healthy body

Instead of waiting for more obvious symptoms of dehydration to set in, it is necessary to look out for early and above mentioned signs that you are not drinking enough water.

 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nutritionist

 

Sneha Jain, Dietician

Sneha is a Post graduate with specialization in Nutrition and Dietetics. She is a university topper and holds 5+ years of experience in Apollo hospitals, VLCC, slimsutra and first cry fit-kids . She has successfully counselled clients all over India for weight loss, weight gain, diabetes, hypertension, PCOD, hypothyroid, Pregnancy and lactation and growth charts for children. She has her own diet consultation e-clinic (diet_diariez)

She believes in  customized diets and eating local and seasonal foods. Her counselling not only involves diet planning, but also lifestyle modification and stress relief strategies. 

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