It’s summertime, which means hotter weather in most parts of the world. When the temperature soars, your body naturally needs more fluid as you lose it to sweat. Skimping on liquids can lead to dehydration, which is a dangerous and scary health issue that needs immediate attention. Luckily, there are signs that you need water. If you experience any of these, get a drink and call your doctor.
One of the first signs that you’ll know you might need some water is that your mouth will get dry and sticky. You won’t have enough saliva to keep things moist even if you try and swallow to lubricate your mouth. Often, a bit of water can help, but you’ll need much more than that to fully rehydrate.
Light thirst is a sign that you could become dehydrated, but if you feel really thirsty, you’re already there. Being thirsty is your body’s way of telling you that you need water. But, it’s sort of like the oil light in your car. Once you get the alert, things have already progressed too far. It’s definitely time for a fill-up.
This is sometimes how pediatricians determine dehydration in small kids. However, if you feel like crying and no tears come out, you definitely need to rehydrate. If your body isn’t able to put out any fluid, it means you are deficient and could stand to fill up. The same is true for sweat – if you should be, but you aren’t, you need a drink, ASAP.
When you’re dehydrated, you may pee less than usual and when you do, it is likely to be a very dark yellow color. A well hydrated person should have light yellow or clear urine and feel the need to go every couple of hours. If it’s been more than that and the color of your pee is different, it’s time to get a drink.
Even if you get small drinks here and there, you can still become dehydrated if you aren’t drinking enough water over the course of a day. Dry skin is one indicator, though the condition can also be due to other issues. If you have very dry skin, try increasing the amount you drink and see if that helps.
When dehydration gets too severe, you may experience a rapid heartbeat. Along with that, you may be breathing harder than usual. Your respiratory and cardiac systems need plenty of liquid to function properly. When there is a deficit, the systems rev up in an effort to keep working as they should be. Anytime you experience breathing problems, it’s important to get to the ER right away.
If you are in advanced stages of dehydration, your mental function will decline. If you feel confused or the people around you can’t make sense of what you’re thinking and saying, you are in a very dangerous state. It is imperative that you get medical help immediately.
Have you ever been dehydrated? What did you do to take care of yourself?