Guide To The Symptoms Of Dehydration

Symptoms of dehydration occur due to the ratio of water being used against how much water individuals are taking in. When an individual sweats, they lose a lot of liquids as well as salt from their body. Rejuvenating the body with what they have lost is essential in avoiding dehydration. To avoid dehydration, experts say individuals should drink half of their body weight in ounces. For example, someone who weighs 140 pounds should consume seventy ounces of water each day.

This recommendation can vary based on an individual's level of physical activity, however, as those who exercise more will need to drink more water. Of course, should individuals become dehydrated, it is crucial to recognize the warning signs so they can better treat the situation before there are complications. With this in mind, take a look at common symptoms of dehydration now.

Thirst

Feeling thirsty, while some may believe it is a normal thing to experience, is actually one of the first signs an individual is already dehydrated, not that they will soon become so. This feeling is the body sending the individual a message saying they are dehydrated. The severity of the feeling of thirst is a good gauge as to how dehydrated an individual is. With mild dehydration, the thirst will be subtle, while severe dehydration leaves an individual feeling extremely thirsty. Drinking water as soon as the feeling of thirst hits will help get rid of dehydration quickly. Other beverages, such as real juice and sports drinks, can also help mitigate thirst, but water remains the best choice.

Decrease In Urination

When someone is dehydrated, another obvious warning sign is a decrease in urination. Simply put, they will not be peeing nearly as often as they would if they were well-hydrated. Babies wearing diapers will not need to be changed as often. In addition to this decrease in urination, dehydrated individuals will also notice their urine will be a darker yellow than normal. Well-hydrated individuals should have clear or light yellow urine. In fact, urine color is the best marker of hydration. Even though the recommendation stated previously about drinking half of one's body weight (seventy ounces for someone weighing 140 pounds) is a good starting point, individuals should drink enough water and other fluids for their urine to run pale yellow or clear, no matter what the actual amount is.