Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much fluid, or more fluid than it takes in.
Those more prone to it are people who cannot quench their thirst due to disability or disease, those associated with sports, and those who are too young or old to replace fluids independently, says the Scottish Health Information Service.
A study in The Journal of Physiology (September 2020) says that those in their forties and fifties may be at an elevated risk of dehydration, though this study only included men.
Here are a few signs to look out for if you want to ensure you are not dehydrated:
Bad Breath
Dehydration causes bad breath because it encourages bacterial growth in the mouth. In a study in the National Centre for Biotechnology and Information, it is exhibited that bacteria produce chemicals responsible for bad breath.
Also read: Hair Loss Due To Dehydration: 4 Tips For Prevention
Also, when saliva production is reduced due to dehydration, food particles are not washed away and can accumulate in the mouth, leading to bad breath.
Flaking And Scaling
Dehydration can cause the skin to scale, resulting in patches of skin that look flaky and white. According to research published by the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), dehydration can cause xeroderma, which means "dry skin”, a common ailment that causes roughness, tightness, flaking, and scaling. It can cause itchiness, leading to the habit of picking on dead cells, and an increased risk of skin infections.
Dark Coloured Urine
Dehydration can cause dark-coloured urine because when the body is dehydrated, the kidneys will hold on to more water, making the urine more concentrated and dark in colour, says research by PubMed Central.
Headache
If you do not drink enough water, you may experience persistent headaches . Although dehydration is strongly connected to headaches, researchers are unsure about the exact reason behind it. According to one research, fluid depletion in the body causes blood vessels in the brain to stretch, resulting in pain.
Heart Palpitations
Dehydration can produce cardiac symptoms such as palpitations, hammering, fluttering, or an irregular pulse. Drinking insufficient fluids can harm general health, including heart health.
According to one study, dehydration may impair heart function in various ways, including impairing blood vessel function and disrupting blood pressure regulation.
Also read: 5 Replenishing Drinks To Beat Dehydration In The Monsoons
Low Blood Pressure
Dehydration inhibits blood vessel function and blood pressure regulation. It also reduces blood volume or a low amount of fluid moving inside your capillaries, veins, arteries, and heart chambers.
Chills And Fever
Fever and chills are often associated with an illness such as the flu. It is also a warning symptom of severe dehydration. When your body lacks fluids, it is difficult to maintain a normal body temperature, which can lead to hyperthermia and fever-like symptoms.
Dry Or Sunken Eyes
While it may not be as visible, having dry or sunken eyes is a common sign of dehydration. This is because fewer fluids and tears are circulating in your eyes, which results in dryness. Your eyes may experience burning sensations too.
Image credit-- FreePik
