NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER

 

We cannot help but wonder what our nomadic ancestors would think about us clutching water bottles daily. We do this despite the fact that our lives are not exactly physically grueling. It is funny if you think about it. Still, while we may have taken water dependence to the extreme, our instincts are not wrong; drinking enough water is  important, as water is required to perform nearly every bodily function. 

Many people are unknowingly mildly dehydrated most of the time. Sometimes when people hear 'mildly dehydrated', they wonder how that could be. But you lose water regularly - when you breathe, when you sweat, when you are digesting food - without being aware.

And when our bodies are low on water, there are consequences; some are obvious and just mildly annoying but others can be crippling.  Below, we explain how insufficient water consumption negatively impacts our daily life.

Headache.

Our noggins are often the first - or at least, the most obvious - part of our bodies to signal water deficiency and they do so in the form of mild to severe pain. The blood vessels around our brains are very sensitive so if you do not drink sufficient water, they may react to the change in blood volume and that may increase the likelihood of headache.

Constipation.

When there is not enough water running through the digestive system, it can show signs of struggle, which typically manifest as constipation. Not having enough water in the gastrointestinal tract can make stool drier and therefore more difficult to pass. And the more fibre you take in, the more water you need to be drinking, as fibre requires water in order to be properly digested. Without it, you may experience bloating and gas on top of the constipation. 

Fatigue.

During the pandemic, you could be fatigued for any number of reasons, so it might be hard to connect this symptom to dehydration. Still not having enough water in the body can make you feel tired. This has to do, at least in part, with the changes in blood volume that result from water shortages. So if you are feeling the slump, having a glass of water might be a better first step than sipping a caffeinated drink, which could further dehydrate you.

Hunger.

Dehydration can also make you feel hungry before you even register that you are thirsty. This is because both signals come from the same part of the brain - the hypothalamus - and wires can get crossed, so to speak. The result might be unnecessary snacking, so it is worth drinking water before eating if you know you have recently eaten and should not be hungry again.

Impaired Brain Function.

In fact, even a 2 to 4 percent decrease in your body mass due to dehydration can throw the brain off balance. One study found that mild dehydration produced a significant increase in minor driving errors during a long drive.

Bad Mood.

Not being properly hydrated can affect your mood too.  A small study of young women showed how mild dehydration has negative effects. The body requires water to produce hormones and other neurotransmitters so it makes sense that dehydration causes mood disturbances.

Overheating.

Hydration helps to maintain a comfortable body temperature which is why dehydration can make you feel overheated, especially in hot environments. If you are feeling the heat, you might want to try raising a glass before you lower the thermostat because the problem may simply be that you need more coolant, so to speak.

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