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People also ask
How do you know if you need hydration?
How do you know if your urine is hydrated?
How do you know if you are dehydrated?
Are You hydrated if you're not thirsty?
Are You hydrating too hard?
- You have bad breath. Bad breath has many causes, including dehydration. Why? Because saliva has antibacterial properties, and the creation of saliva requires water.
- You feel hungry. First things first: It's very possible that you're actually hungry, in which case, please eat! But there are times when you feel peckish or notice cravings (often for salty foods) because you're really thirsty, Dr. Henry says.
- Your head is pounding. There's no certain explanation for why headaches occur with dehydration, but experts have a few hunches. "A working theory involves pain receptors in the brain that are attached to the meninges (membrane layers that protect your brain and spinal cord)," Dr. Henry says.
- Your focus is off. If you're having trouble focusing, it might be wise to slug some water. "Dehydration can lead to a lack of ability to focus, causing short-term challenges in performing tasks related to motor and visual skills," Dr. Henry says.
- Overview
- 8 signs you’re dehydrated
- Dehydration signs in babies and kids
- How can you reduce the chances of becoming dehydrated?
- The bottom line
Dehydration may affect your energy levels and mental state, and even be life-threatening in severe cases. Symptoms of dehydration, such as fatigue, headaches, and dark urine, may be a sign to drink more fluids.
Maintaining proper hydration is essential to overall good health. Without water, your cells can’t function, which is why humans can only survive a few days without fluids (1).
Unfortunately, many adults and kids don’t consume enough fluids, which can lead to chronic dehydration (2).
What’s more, conditions like diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive sweating can lead to acute or short-term dehydration (2, 3).
Dehydration can negatively affect many aspects of health and even be life threatening in severe cases, so it’s important to know the potential signs and symptoms of dehydration in both adults and kids.
This article covers 8 signs and symptoms of dehydration in adults, as well as explains the most common signs of dehydration in infants and kids.
Here are 8 potential signs and symptoms of dehydration to watch out for.
Keep in mind that these symptoms could also indicate an underlying health condition unrelated to dehydration. If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it’s important to visit a healthcare professional for appropriate care.
A dehydrated infant or child may not show the same signs of dehydration that adults do, making it hard for parents and caregivers to identify potential dehydration.
Infants and kids are more susceptible to dehydration caused by diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. This is because kids have a higher metabolic rate and lose more water on a daily basis than adults do (25).
Plus, babies and younger children depend on caregivers for hydration (25).
Signs of mild to moderate dehydration in babies and young children may include (25, 26):
•less frequent urination (fewer than six wet diapers a day for babies)
•playing less frequently
There are many potential causes of dehydration, including vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, medication use, and more (2).
For example, it’s common to become dehydrated when you’re experiencing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and high fever.
If you or your child is ill, it’s important to replace lost fluids with water or other beverages like electrolyte drinks. Consuming foods that are high in fluids, such as soups and fruits, can also help prevent dehydration.
For people who are experiencing chronic dehydration, increasing fluid intake is essential. If you’re experiencing symptoms of dehydration like dry skin, headaches, fatigue, and dark-colored urine, try increasing your overall fluid intake.
Most people can meet their fluid needs by drinking water, but fluids like coffee, tea, and sparkling water also count toward your total fluid intake, as do foods like fruits and veggies.
Hydration needs vary widely and depend on factors like activity levels, body weight, pregnancy and breastfeeding status, and the environment.
Dehydration is quite common and can be caused by factors like illness, medication use, extreme exercise, or simply insufficient fluid intake.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration include dark-colored urine, decreased urination, headaches, fatigue, dry skin, decreased skin turgor, and poor concentration.
- Jillian Kubala, MS, RD
- Brandi Neal
- Check Your Urine. The best indicator of whether or not you're hydrated enough is the color of your urine. The Mayo Clinic explained that if your urine is a pale yellow, you can stop stressing.
- Count Your Pee Breaks. If you're peeing every few hours, and your urine is a pale yellow, you are hydrated, Dr. Douglas Cutter at HCA Virginia Sports Medicine explained on the website Share Care.
- Pinch Your Skin. Another easy way to tell if you're hydrated is by checking the elasticity of your skin. The U.S. National Library of Medicine recommended on its website that you check for dehydration by pinching the skin on your abdomen or the lower part of your arm.
- See If Your Breath Is New-Puppy Sweet. If you've got a friend willing to smell your breath, bad breath is an indication of dehydration because when you're dehydrated your mouth doesn't make enough saliva.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration. Feeling thirsty is often considered to be an early warning sign that you’re becoming dehydrated. When you feel thirst, however, it’s a sign that dehydration has already started. Other warning signs of dehydration include: Dry mouth.
Oct 14, 2021 · If you don't replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated. Anyone may become dehydrated, but the condition is especially dangerous for young children and older adults. The most common cause of dehydration in young children is severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Dec 27, 2019 · Dark brown. Colors for concern. See a doctor. Hydration rules. Pee is a pretty handy measurement tool for health. Since hydration supports loads of bodily functions — affecting everything...
Aug 17, 2023 · How do you feel when you're properly hydrated? When adequately hydrated, you tend to feel more energized and alert without dryness in your mouth or lips. Your thirst signals will be absent because your body's fluid needs are met.
