Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to function properly. That means that when you’re even slightly dehydrated, it can impact your health in various ways.
While some of these issues may seem minor, dehydration can also lead to more serious consequences, including heat stroke, kidney stones, and seizures.
Here are a few signs that you are on your way to—or are already experiencing—dehydration. Pay attention to your body and take action to rehydrate if you notice any of the following:
You Feel Thirsty
Feeling thirsty is one of the earliest signs of dehydration, so if you feel a sudden urge to drink, it’s a good idea to listen to your body and have a glass of water.
Don’t wait until you become thirsty to hydrate yourself. When you feel thirsty, you are already less hydrated than you should be.
Your Urine is Yellow (or Darker)
When you are fully hydrated, you will notice that your urine is clear or light yellow. As you go longer without drinking enough liquids, your urine will become more concentrated with waste products and will take on a darker yellow color.
If you see that your urine is yellow, take that as a sign that you need to drink more fluids.
In general, the darker the color, the more dehydrated you are. Suppose your urine is dark yellow, brown, or any other color besides light yellow (and is not related to a medication side effect). In that case, you are severely dehydrated and need medical attention as soon as possible.
Dry Skin and Cracked Lips
Your skin needs water to stay healthy, supple, and smooth. When you are under-hydrated, your skin and lips may become dry, flaky, and cracked.
Dryness can also occur due to other factors, such as low humidity, harsh cleansers, or skin damage.
Moisturizer can help alleviate some of the symptoms by restoring the skin’s natural barrier, but ultimately, the skin gets its hydration from the inside out. So, if you’re struggling with dry skin, make sure you’re drinking enough water.
You Feel Tired, Weak, or Fatigued
Inadequate hydration can lead to feelings of fatigue and weakness. In athletic performance, poor hydration can significantly decrease energy levels, strength, and endurance.
But even if you’re not an athlete, dehydration can tire you. You may have trouble concentrating, suffer headaches, or doze off more often than usual.
Dizziness and Lightheadedness
Dehydration reduces the volume of blood fluid circulating through your body. This can lead to drops in blood pressure which may cause dizziness or lightheadedness.
Due to the changes in blood pressure that occurs when you stand up, dizziness often occurs immediately after changing positions or standing up. This effect is called orthostatic hypotension.
This could also potentially lead to faints, falls, and injuries.
Sit down and drink some water if you feel lightheaded or dizzy, especially when standing up.
