Dehydration is the condition of having lost excessive amounts of water and/or salt in the body. When the body loses water, the cells shrink and their ability to function is impaired. When the cells shrink, it becomes harder for the body to carry out its normal functions. When the body’s normal functions are impaired, it becomes susceptible to disease and other health problems.
This can lead to a host of health problems, the most common of which are: headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and muscle cramps. Dehydration can also cause slight changes to your behavior, such as becoming more irritable or less talkative. The most common sign of dehydration is a dry, sticky mouth. Other signs of dehydration include heavy legs, fatigue, light-headedness, headache, dizziness, slower than normal heartbeat, and slow reflexes. Dehydration can cause these symptoms because the body loses water and liquid as a result of sweating, urinating, and breathing. It can also occur when fluid intake is less than fluid output.
Fortunately, dehydration is easy to avoid, and there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to reduce the chances of becoming dehydrated. Remember to drink enough water each day, and if you start to feel dehydrated, drink some water and wait a few hours to see if symptoms improve.
You can also avoid becoming dehydrated by understanding the causes and consequences of dehydration.
- The first, and most obvious is that dehydration is a normal physiological state that we all experience.
- The second is that dehydration is caused by a lack of water, which happens when you get dehydrated.
- The third is that dehydration is caused by a lack of electrolytes, which is why you feel cold and shaky.
Stay Happy & Healthy this Summer.
