5 Health Risks Of Dehydration

Humans need water to survive. Drinking enough water can ensure your body stays hydrated throughout the day. And on average, adults need eight glasses of water daily, about two liters worth. Going slightly under this recommended amount may cause mild dehydration in some people while avoiding water could lead to severe complications.

Dehydration is a serious condition many people worldwide don’t even know they have. And this is a significant problem since lack of water can result in several health risks. Continue reading to learn what some of these risks are, from mild to worse:  

1. Fatigue And Insomnia

Almost anyone can become tired after a long day of work. While you might consider heading immediately to your bed to rest, it is always recommended to replenish your fluids first. Even if you get enough sleep, you can still feel exhausted if you don’t drink enough water.  

Fatigue is one of the common risks of dehydration among people. If you get tired quickly, perhaps one reason is you lack water in your system. In addition, you may also experience headaches and dizziness. 

On the other hand, if you don’t feel lethargic, you may find it difficult to sleep. Dehydration can cause insomnia, too, since the condition can affect your melatonin or sleep hormones. As a result, you’ll get less of the desired number of hours of rest, leading to feeling more exhaustion and fatigue.

2. Skin, Eyes, And Mouth Problems

Human bodies are made of 45%-65% water. So, it makes sense to consistently replenish your internal water supply since it helps your system work properly. Think of water as a natural lubricant and moisturizer. The lack of it could dry out some parts of your body, namely your eyes, mouth, and skin.

Dry mouth is a common symptom among those suffering from dehydration. You may experience parched and itchy lips and throat, too. Even if you drink enough water regularly, some instances could cause sudden dehydration like diarrhea, vomiting, and over-sweating. When you experience these, you must drink fluids after it happens to avoid getting other complications.

The eyes need a constant coating of tears to wash away dust and other particles. While you could temporarily solve dry, itchy eyes with eye drops, you can drink water regularly to keep your eyeballs constantly hydrated.

Simultaneously, dehydration could also lead to dry skin. For some people, dry skin is something they’re born with. But you can maintain the suppleness of your skin by including enough water in your diet. In addition, dry skin can catalyze several different issues like:

• Minor skin infections
• Acne breakouts
• Eczema
• Rashes
• Cracking skin

And with that, if you frequently experience dryness in certain body parts, consider consuming more fluids to keep your whole body hydrated.

3. Decreased Urination

The body has natural ways to rid itself of waste. But, if you’re dehydrated, your body’s ability to do these may decrease.  

Urination is one method that helps remove toxins and excess fluids from your internal organs. Low urine output is a condition that could be caused by dehydration. The lack of water in your system could also turn it into a darker yellow or amber. Note that when you can urinate enough, your body can be healthier, and you’re less likely to contract other health issues such as urinary tract infections and bladder problems. 

Drinking more water and consuming more liquid-rich food like soups, fruits, and juices could help overcome this condition. Furthermore, you can also consider avoiding dehydrating fluids like alcohol and caffeinated drinks. It would also be best if the water you’re drinking has gone through a water filtration system. That way, you can ensure it’s clean and safe to consume.

4. Increased Heart Rate

Water plays a vital role in your heart’s health. It assists in increasing blood production, which your body needs to function. If you lack water and blood, your heart will tend to beat faster to compensate for it, thus raising your standard heart rate. 

People with heart disease are sometimes required to drink more water than others. And in some cases, your doctor may prescribe a specific hydration method if you have an illness like heart failure.

Furthermore, drinking more water can help stabilize your heart’s regular motions, so you won’t feel out of breath after doing even the simplest activities. However, if you get frequent palpitations due to an increased heart rate, visit your physician to check if the cause is dehydration. 

5. Low Blood Pressure

Sadly, many people suffer from low blood pressure due to a few factors, including dehydration. In some cases, lacking water in your system can decrease blood volume, which is how much fluid you have to circulate in your blood vessels. 

Generally, you need normal blood volume for your blood to reach every part of your body. And dehydration could prevent this from happening. Once your blood pressure drops, your organs can be deprived of oxygen, and you may go into shock. As such, hydration is vital to avoid this situation.  

Water and drinks like coconut water and fruit juices rich in electrolytes can help regulate your body’s fluid levels. It can also prevent other severe issues caused by electrolyte imbalance.

Conclusion

Drinking water is crucial in people’s day-to-day lives because of the many benefits to overall health. You could risk getting an illness you’ve never had or worsening an existing one. Moreover, drinking more fluids is one of the primary ways to flush out internal toxins and keep bodies running smoothly and properly.