Six Signs You’re Dehydrated

by admin | May 4, 2022 | Health Awareness

You know how important it is to stay hydrated, but do you know all of the ways your body is trying to tell you it needs more water? Feeling thirsty is the most obvious sign, but there are other important signals that you need to increase your fluid intake.

1. Bad Breath

Dehydration can lead to a lack of saliva, and a dry mouth is the perfect environment for bacterial overgrowth. That’s why morning breath can be so unpleasant. If you feel like morning breath stays with you all day long, forget the mints and reach for a glass of water.

2. Muscle Cramps

A lack of fluid causes the body to heat up and the muscles to work harder. Changes in electrolyte levels can also lead to muscle cramps. If you’re experiencing cramping, especially after workouts, consider rehydrating with sports drinks that have added electrolytes.

3. Food Cravings

You may blame it on your sweet tooth, but those cravings for sweet or salty snacks may be caused by your body’s difficulty breaking down glycogen. Dehydration makes it hard for your organs to release glycogen which, in turn, sends signals to your brain that more glycogen is needed.

4. Headaches

Before opening the aspirin bottle the next time you have a headache, try drinking a glass of water. Even mild dehydration can trigger headaches, including migraine headaches.

5. Fever and Chills

Heat illness, which is caused by dehydration, may present as fever and chills. Cooling down as quickly as possible is crucial, and increasing fluids is the best way to accomplish that. In addition to getting out of the heat and applying ice packs or cool cloths, drink extra water to help cool your organs and internal systems.

6. Dry Skin

Dry skin can be the result of unlucky genetics, but it is also a symptom of dehydration. If you’ve noticed your skin is feeling dry and itchy, increase your water intake and schedule a consultation for a regenerative medicine facial. 

Staying Hydrated

Most adults should drink at least eight glasses of water per day, not including coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages. Remember that sports drinks and other flavored drinks may include sugar and other ingredients that can be harmful to your health if overconsumed. Try adding fresh herbs like mint or slices of citrus fruit to your water for variety. 

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Fight Dehydration by Eating These 8 Foods that Are High in Water

by admin | Aug 4, 2021 | Health Awareness

If you find yourself snacking between meals, the problem might be dehydration. Many times, when you think you’re hungry, you may be actually thirsty—and eating salty snack foods like potato chips only makes the problem worse!

While the dangers of dehydration can sometimes be overstated, it never hurts to add more water to your diet. Here are 8 foods you can eat that will provide you with plenty of extra water.

1)   Watermelon

As the name suggests, this delicious treat is mostly water. It also packs a lot of flavor for just a few calories. Try ending your exercise sessions with a slice of watermelon as a reward.

2)   Cucumbers

In addition to salads, you can make cucumber sandwiches or soup. You can even cut them into slices and use them in place of chips, dipping them into yogurt or hummus.

3)   Celery

Celery provides a low-calorie snack that’s packed with water. When you’re looking for a nice, refreshing crunch in your snack, celery is the answer—and it goes great with peanut butter!

4)   Strawberries

Strawberries combine high water content with a powerful punch of flavor and a big boost of vitamin C. Try adding them to salads or dipping them in yogurt.

5)   Tomatoes

Tomatoes have plenty of vitamins and minerals. They also have the high water content you need to stay hydrated.

6)   Iceberg Lettuce

This leafy green is almost all water, which means that salads are a delicious way to get your daily nutrients while staying hydrated.

7)   Cantaloupe

Melons can help you to start your morning hydrated. Cantaloupe provides you with plenty of water, along with a big serving of potassium.

8)   Bell Peppers

Available in a range of colors, each with its own distinct taste, bell peppers are a nutritious treat. And with their high water content, bell peppers can help you fight dehydration!