Recognize Signs of Dehydration
Do you know how to recognize in your body? If not, take a minute to look at our comprehensive and rehydration guide!
Did you know that if you drained all the each day? Probably not enough. out of your body, you'd weigh at least 50% less than you weigh right now? (You'd also be dead, but that's beside the point). makes up a huge percentage of all our body's cells and tissues, but how much attention do we give to our
isn't too worrisome and can be fixed pretty quickly by , but moderate and are more serious and may even require emergency care. Here's how to recognize in your body so you can take action right away. Even better, we've included some tips for how to avoid in the first place with and supplements such as Herhydration.
What Is ?
Before we can fully understand the purpose of proper , we need to ask ourselves, "what is and what can it do to my body?" The word "dehydrated" refers to insufficient and other levels in the body.
can be mild, moderate, or severe. is pretty common. In fact, a lot of us have problems with mild and don't even know it! is more serious than and can quickly turn into if we don't quickly replace lost fluids. is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care.
Why Is Dangerous?
Imagine trying to drive a vehicle when the fuel tank is empty. Though you might be able to go a few miles on fumes alone, your car will eventually shut down because it's lacking the it needs to continue operating. and other hydrating liquids are a lot like the fuel you put into your vehicle's gas tank. They help your body run by hydrating your cells and tissues.
When your body experiences too much , your cells stop functioning properly. If you don't replace your and continue to lose (from illness, excessive sweating, or too much heat), your vital organs may begin to shut down. That'll ruin your day, won't it?
That's why it's essential to make sure you're getting sufficient so you can recognize them in yourself and others before it's too late. and other fluids throughout the day. It's also wise to become familiar with mild, moderate, and
If you're worried about your common , shall we? levels and you're trying to remember the last time you took a sip of , we get it! With so many other things vying for our attention, throughout the day is often the last thing on our minds. But neglecting our body's replacement needs can backfire in a big way. So, let's talk about
What are the Signs and of ?
Every single cell and system in our bodies requires to function. If we don't drink enough , our bodies will start to work less efficiently. If insufficient continues, we'll begin to show . Here are common to watch out for, especially if you have , severe , or from increased in hot weather.
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If you have but haven't lost a dangerous amount of from your body yet, you are likely to experience any of the following :
- Headache
- Chills
- Head rushes
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Slightly dry mucous membranes
- Loss of appetite
- Flushed
- Slightly decreased output
- Dark yellow, smelly
Many of us fail to recognize when we're mildly dehydrated because our can mimic other minor health conditions. But if you experience any of the above and you know your body could probably use more fluids than you've been giving it, go get yourself a big glass of , girl!
Better yet, add a packet of Herhydration to your so you can replace your body's electrolytes. Drinking electrolytes is a more effective way to quickly reverse the effects of excess than alone.
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Now that you know how to recognize , you should be able to avoid in most circumstances. But if for some reason you're too busy or distracted to notice signs of , your body could quickly advance into . Here are some of the things you're likely to experience in (when your reaches somewhere between 5% and 6%).
- Decreased sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Extreme fatigue
- Sunken eyes
- Increased
- Little to no output
- Tingling in the feet and hands
- Nausea
- Faster breathing rate
- Dehydrated
- Irritability
like these are your body's way of telling you it's in serious trouble. Incidentally, most of these are also of , because the two conditions often go hand-in-hand. If you'd like to keep your internal organs functioning properly, you need to focus on rehydration ASAP!
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is not something that just goes away on its own. Instead, it's a medical emergency and an indication that your body needs extra fluids or your organs could shut down and you could die. When your body crosses the critical threshold between moderate and , you may experience:
- Muscle spasms
- Mottled (an indication of slow flow)
- Confusion
- Loss of tears and
- Lack of sweating
- Abdominal and/or chest pain
- Impaired vision
- Shriveled, dehydrated
- Delirium
- Seizures
- Coma
If you notice any of these in yourself, get help right away. Your life is in danger and you need intravenous immediately. If you notice these in someone else, seek for them right away. could mean the difference between life and death for someone who is critically dehydrated.
How Do We Become Dehydrated?
We can become dehydrated in a couple of ways: by not drinking enough and other fluids to support our body's needs, or by losing too much . (or both!) Here are some of the more common causes of :
- Fever
- Sweating too much (this can happen if you exercise vigorously or for prolonged periods in the heat)
- Urinating too frequently (this can happen if you are consuming diuretics or if you have uncontrolled diabetes)
- Excessive and/or (due to illness or food poisoning)
Pregnant women are also more susceptible to than some other groups of people because they are more likely to experience persistent nausea and/or . People with mouth sores or illnesses are also less likely to pay attention to their needs because they don't feel like eating or drinking anything.
If you have a medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, you're also more likely to lose too much and electrolytes from frequent . Finally, you can become dehydrated if you experience too much loss (from giving too frequently, experiencing an injury that causes loss, or losing too much during your period).
What Happens to Your Body When You Are Dehydrated?
Our bodies go through several changes when we're dehydrated. Here's what happens when we lose too much and don't replace it through IV or .
- The kidneys begin to clog up with muscle proteins called myoglobin and they can no longer filter the effectively.
- The brain begins to shrink in response to the lack of . As it shrinks, we're more likely to experience headaches that can range from mild to severe.
- The digestive system slows down because there isn't enough to keep things flowing through at an optimal pace. As a result, we're more likely to experience constipation and digestion issues.
- drops and volume decreases. This can lead to hypovolemic shock, which can lead to multiple organ failure and death. The body needs a lot of to maintain optimal volume and .
- As synovial that cushions the joints dries out. We also will notice a change in . sets in, the joints lose the lubrication they require to work properly. When this happens, we're more likely to experience joint pain and grinding sensations as the
- hurts all our organs and body systems, but it can also influence our mood. Even can lead to increased anxiety, tension, and moodiness in affected persons. When we're dehydrated, we're also more likely to feel confused and experience "brain fog."
- is essential for regulating . So if there's not enough in our bodies at any given moment, we're more likely to experience hyperthermia, which refers to an increased core .
As you can see, can really work a number on our body's various organs and systems. Fortunately, staying hydrated doesn't have to be a challenging task. Let's go over some things we can do to every day and during high-risk activities (such as outdoor workouts in the heat).
How Can You ?
Preventing isn't rocket science, but it does require a little forethought and attention to the body's subtle cues. Here are some of the top suggestions we have for ensuring your body is sufficiently hydrated day in and day out.
- Eat rehydrating foods. Foods that contain a higher concentration (such as fruits and vegetables) can help keep your body's levels high. So make it a habit to eat the recommended 5-7 servings every day!
- Avoid soda and other caffeinated beverages. Did you know drinking too much caffeine can sabotage your goals? Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it stimulates the elimination of fluids from your body. So instead of drinking soda every day, make it a goal to drink . Though other drinks can hydrate your body, is always the best choice. To replenish your electrolytes after sweating profusely, add electrolytes to your .
- Cut back on the alcohol. If you're the type of gal who likes to party or just sit back with a cold one to unwind, you don't have to give up alcohol altogether. But you should know that alcohol is dehydrating, so it's wise to limit your consumption.
- Drink throughout the day. Sometimes we get dehydrated because we simply forget to drink . Keeping a bottle or jug of by our side throughout the day can help us remember to chug away. A bottle that displays the ounces on the side can help you keep track of how many ounces you've had today-and how many you still need to drink before the day is over.
These are all great ways to . Remember that although is seen as primarily a summertime problem, it can happen at any time of the year. During the colder months, you're less likely to feel thirsty (which makes it easier to neglect your body's needs). So be sure to thoroughly hydrate your body all year long.
How Can You Treat ?
If you're already feeling any despite your best efforts to keep chugging fluids, here are some things you can do to treat your condition before it gets worse.
- Drink right now! No matter what you're doing, take a break and get a big drink of if you feel the slightest hint of . Add electrolytes to your , if possible.
- Drink broth if you're sick. If your stomach can't handle straight because you're feeling sick, try drinking broth. It is gentle on the digestive tract and can help replenish any liquids you've lost through , , and/or sweating.
- Get an IV drip. An is easiest, but if you're moderately or severely dehydrated, an IV drip can help bring your electrolytes and levels up in minimal time. IV therapy is instantly absorbed by the body because it bypasses the digestive tract.
If you're severely dehydrated, don't waste your time trying to treat the condition yourself; go to your nearest or emergency room. You could end up passed out on the floor or worse if you don't get emergency as soon as possible. But if you're mildly to moderately dehydrated, you may be able to get yourself out of the danger zone if you take action to rehydrate yourself immediately.
Why Do We Need Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are essential minerals that our bodies need to function. They include potassium, sodium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate, and bicarbonate. Electrolytes are responsible for generating and conducting nerve signals. They also help maintain electrical neutrality in our cells. Unfortunately, our bodies lose electrolytes pretty easily through our sweat, , and . When our electrolyte levels become imbalanced, we experience a variety of unpleasant consequences.
The electrolytes sodium, calcium, and potassium are required to stimulate muscle contractions. When there are not enough of these substances in our bodies, we may experience muscles weakness or issues with intense muscles contractions (also commonly known as Charlie horses or , and convulsions. Sounds like a good time, huh? Yeah, we don't think so either. ). Electrolyte imbalances can also cause excessive tiredness, bone disorders, irregular heartbeat, numbness, nervous system disorders, changes in
What Drinks Rehydrate the Body?
Though is the best thing to reach for when we need to rehydrate, there are other drinks that can hydrate us while also replenishing any or electrolytes. Since alone does not contain electrolytes, we need to add them to our after we've lost a lot of fluids.
Adding electrolytes in proper and electrolyte balance all the time. Your kidneys will filter out any electrolytes your body may not need, so you don't need to worry about somehow overdosing on electrolytes if you take them in moderation. to our every day can also help ensure
Herhydration is one of the best drinks for rehydrating because it's formulated with sodium and potassium. It also contains green coconut (which is naturally full of magnesium, potassium, calcium, amino acids, and antioxidants), and beetroot powder (which improves flow and may improve exercise performance).
Plus, if you don't like the overly sweet and sugary taste of any other electrolyte , you'll appreciate the fact that Herhydration is made without any sugar. But don't worry! It still tastes phenomenal because it's flavored with organic fruit and stevia. It also tastes amazing mixed with Herpower, which is a non-stimulant energy supplement that can help you get ready for your next workout and give you the get-up-and-go to start winning at life again.
Ready to learn more tips and tricks for taking care of your body so you can be your most vibrant, healthy version of yourself? Feel free to head over to Mixhers resources whether you want to learn how to minimize your period pain or boost your libido. We're here for you, girl!

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