Dehydration occurs when your body doesn't have enough water to function properly. You can become dehydrated if you don't drink enough water, especially if you are losing an increased amount due to activity level or environment. Harvard Health Publishing indicates the signs of dehydration include dark urine, weakness, dizziness, confusion and low blood pressure. Thirst is the body's natural mechanism to signal that you need water.
Thirst may not be a good indication of when you need to drink water. By the time you feel thirsty, you could be headed for dehydration. The sense of thirst diminishes as we age, so older adults may not know if they are dehydrated. With any nutrient, certain conditions can affect your needs, including water. Anyone with kidney problems or congestive heart failure should consult their doctor to obtain a recommended amount of water per day.
Also, those taking medications such as diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , ibuprofen, or naproxen should talk to their doctor because a certain level of hydration is essential when taking these. Conditions such as diarrhea and vomiting will also lead to a greater need for water. If you aren't a fan of drinking plain water, there are some ways to jazz up your drink.
Adding fresh fruit, such as raspberries, blueberries or orange slices can make boring water more exciting. If you don't have a routine eating pattern, this rule probably won't work for you. Drink eight glasses a day: Again, one-size-fits-all health advice rarely works for all people.
If you feel adequately hydrated on 64 ounces of water each day, that's great. If you feel overly hydrated clear pee and very frequent urination , cut back slightly. If you feel dehydrated dark pee, headaches, infrequent urination , eight glasses may not be enough for you. Drink half your bodyweight in ounces: This is a simple guideline that's easy to remember and usually easy to achieve. If you weigh pounds, aim to drink 75 ounces of water each day. This is the only rule of thumb that accounts for different body sizes, but it doesn't account for thirst, climate, activity level or other factors.
Experiment with hydration techniques to find what works for you. As long as you're not battling chronic fatigue, headaches or other signs of dehydration , you are probably doing a pretty good job. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. How much water do you really need to drink each day?
If you don't drink enough water each day, you risk becoming dehydrated. Warning signs of dehydration include weakness, low blood pressure, dizziness, confusion, or urine that's dark in color. The daily four-to-six cup rule is for generally healthy people. It's possible to take in too much water if you have certain health conditions, such as thyroid disease or kidney, liver, or heart problems; or if you're taking medications that make you retain water, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , opiate pain medications, and some antidepressants.
How much water a day should you drink if you fit into that category? There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Seifter says water intake must be individualized, and you should check with your doctor if you are not sure about the right amount for you.
But even a healthy person's water needs will vary, especially if you're losing water through sweat because you're exercising, or because you're outside on a hot day. If you're wondering how much water you should drink on those occasions, speak with your doctor, but a general rule of thumb for healthy people is to drink two to three cups of water per hour, or more if you're sweating heavily.
It's not just water that keeps you hydrated. All beverages containing water contribute toward your daily needs. And it's a myth that caffeinated beverages or those containing alcohol are dehydrating because they make you urinate. They do, but over the course of the day, the water from these beverages still leads to a net positive contribution to total fluid consumption.
Of course, there are many reasons why water is still the better choice. If you're thirsty, you should drink. That's a no-brainer. When your body is begging for hydration, the need can manifest in various signs of dryness, including dry mouth, chapped lips, dry skin, reduced sweating, and a lack of tears.
Doctors aren't quite sure why, but they think it might be because when hydration levels drop, so does blood volume, which can reduce oxygen supply to the brain, the Merck Manual explains. Cramping, muscle spasms, and generally feeling weak or fatigued can all be indications of dehydration.
Having bad breath can be a tip-off that you need to sip some water. In addition to the above, confusion and delirium can all be signs of severe dehydration, the Mayo Clinic explains. If you have these symptoms, you should reach out to your doctor immediately.
Additionally, overhydration is more likely in older people because kidney function becomes less effective as you age, the Merck Manual explains. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering waste and fluids from the body, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Overhydration can cause a condition known as hyponatremia, which happens when the sodium levels in your bloodstream become unusually low, leading to your cells becoming waterlogged, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Signs include feeling nauseated, confused, run-down, and irritable. For athletes that are worried about overhydration, your best bet is to take strategic water breaks instead of guzzling fluids to avoid dehydration. Those are just general guidelines, so experiment to figure out what helps you feel hydrated enough without feeling too full of liquid.
You may have heard this thrown around from time to time, so we figured we'd clear the air. Staying hydrated is great for all sorts of reasons, from preventing headaches to helping you crush your workouts. That said, for some people, thirst and hunger cues are easy to confuse.
0コメント