then you may already be on your way to mild dehydration. Even if you are drinking the same amount of water you always drink, it may not be enough during the hot summer months or when you perspire more due to increasing your exercise routine or working outdoors. If you are thirsty before you get a drink of water, change that habit now since thirst is the body’s way of telling you it is becoming dehydrated. Learn the signs of dehydration so you will know what to do if you or someone you know becomes dehydrated.
We all know water is essential for every living thing; the human body is 75% water and our brains are 85% water. When you don’t get enough water, basically, your body goes to war and your cells and organs fight to steal it from each other, which will help explain some of the more severe symptoms. Thirst is the first sign of dehydration and most of us treat it right away with a glass or two of water. Our bodies metabolize the water so the cells can defuse it like a dry sponge on a spill and everybody is happy. In addition to thirst, unexplained tiredness, headache, dry mouth, dry skin and dizziness are some of the early dehydration signs that can be treated by drinking water and resting so you don’t perspire.
Moderate signs of dehydration are lethargy, nausea, and little urine output. Again, the treatment includes drinking water, avoiding activities that cause perspiration, and avoiding dry foods that need water
to metabolize. More severe symptoms include delirium, no urine output, fainting and even seizures, all of which require emergency medical attention.
Although everyone needs to be concerned about dehydration, athletes should always include periodic water breaks during workouts so that water input equals or is greater than water loss through perspiration. According to Anita Bean’s The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition, slight dehydration in athletes can cause a performance loss of up to 30% and increase the onset of fatigue.
As long as you drink frequently enough so that you are never really thirsty, you should stay hydrated and avoid the more serious symptoms of dehydration.
