Signs of Dehydration

The adult human body is made up of around 60% water, on average. This staggering figure shows us how important water is to keeping us healthy and functioning properly. Why is water so important to us and how do you know if you’re getting enough? Read on to find out all the facts about water and hydration.

The function of water in the body
All of the cells in our body contain water. If we don’t provide our body with enough water, these cells are unable to function correctly. Water is also vital for a range of bodily functions. For example, saliva is responsible for a great amount of the digestion process through the enzymes it contains. If you’ve ever had a dry mouth when you’re thirsty, then you can probably guess that not getting enough water means that your body can’t produce as much saliva, which impacts digestion.

Water is also used for regulating the body’s temperature. When we get too hot, we sweat. It is the process of sweat evaporating from our skin that cools our body’s down in extreme temperatures. Without water, we would not be able to produce sweat and, therefore, would overheat. 

How to tell if you’re dehydrated
Dehydration can cause a variety of side effects, ranging from minor to severe depending on the severity of dehydration. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for as warnings that you’re not getting enough water.

Feeling thirstyHeadachesLight-headednessA dry mouthDarker-colored urineLess frequent urinationDry skinLow energy

These are all fairly moderate signs that you need to increase your water intake. More severe dehydration can cause worse symptoms such as confusion, and irregular pulse, and even seizures. Serious conditions such as kidney failure or heart conditions can develop as a result of extreme or prolonged cases of dehydration.

Tips for staying hydrated
I’m sure you don’t want to experience any of the above symptoms, so what can you do to keep dehydration at bay? Breathing, sweating, and going to the toilet are all constant causes of water loss, so we need to replace the water that we lose. 

Health professionals commonly recommend drinking 8 cups of water per day. If you’re exercising, then you will need to drink even more to counteract intense sweating. This may sound like a challenge, but carrying bottled water around with you, and keeping bottled water at your desk at work can make it easier to get as much water as you need. Buying a water dispenser for the office is another great way to keep everyone hydrated at work.

If you want to make it easier to stay hydrated, then get in touch today about our spring water delivery service. We provide a convenient home water service in Winston Salem, Greensboro, and High Point, NC, as well as Martinsville and Danville, VA.