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20 Signs of Dehydration You Might Not Know
Published March 2, 2020 by Jc Drobac
20 Signs of Dehydration You Might Not Know
Published March 2, 2020 by Jc Drobac
If our American diets weren't so sodium-laden, the water in fruits and vegetables MIGHT be enough, but the sodium rapidly soaks up well-intended water we take in leaving our tanks low on water. Various sources speculate our bodies are made up of up to 60% water. The brain and heart are composed of 73% water, the lungs are about 83% water, the skin contains 64% water. The muscles and kidneys are 79% water, and even the bones are a watery 31%. Water replenishes these organs so they can function properly. (Source: USGC)
Here are some signs of dehydration you may not know about:
- Afternoon munchies /hunger
- Yellow teeth
- Afternoon lull / desire to nap
- GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disorder symptoms): heartburn, phlegm, belching, throat clearing, acid sensation in the throat, post-nasal drip sensation
- Insomnia
- Incontinence
- Constipation & diarrhea
- Headaches and migraines
- Arthritis /swollen joints
- Irritability/anger
- Osteoporosis
- Grey hair, dry hair, thinning hair
- Receding hair line
- Anxiety
- Stomach cramps
- Puffy under eyes & ankles
- Bloated belly
- Skin issues
- Knee/low back pain
- Chapped lips
How much do we need to hydrate?
A good rule of thumb is to aim for half your weight in ounces i.e. if you weigh 200 pounds, aiming for 100 ounces of water day should generally suffice. Adding EXTRA water helps compensate for dehydrating factors like caffeine in soda, coffee, and non-herbal teas (caffeine is a diuretic/dehydrates the body), working out, air conditioning, furnace heat, and high altitude. All of these means adding to your regular daily intake.