Water is the most essential component of your body. Almost 70% of the human body is made of water and is required for all biological functions. It is important to keep well hydrated and for some reasons you might tend to drink less water than what is required. When you are dehydrated, you will start showing signs and will need to amp up your water intake to combat the effects of dehydration.
How Can Lack Of Water Impact Your Body?
1. Dry Skin
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and requires water for an effective supply of nutrients. Water is also necessary to help your skin eliminate toxins. When your body is low in water, it will show on your skin. Your skin will become dry, flaky, and rough. Moisturizers can alleviate the symptoms to some extent but will not get rid of the problem completely.
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2. Increase In Appetite
When you are dehydrated, your appetite increases. Your body misinterprets thirst as hunger and you end up eating much more than usual. It is advisable to drink a glass of water before eating so that you do not overeat. You can also eat fruits rich in water and fiber when you feel excessively hungry.
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3. General Fatigue
Lack of water makes your body go into overdrive. Your blood volume drops and your heart rate increases to ensure a constant supply of blood throughout your body. Since more sodium is retained in your blood, it becomes difficult for your heart to pump blood to your organs and muscles resulting in an increases blood pressure and general fatigue. Drinking enough water can make you feel more energetic.
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4. High Blood Sugar
Less water in your system can cause a spike in your blood sugar levels. Under conditions of dehydration, your body produces a hormone called vasopressin which makes your kidneys retain water and the liver produce more sugar. Being in this state for a long time can make you become resistant to insulin and you can suffer from chronic hyperglycemia.
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5. Slow Metabolism
Your body requires water to perform all its biological functions. The muscles of the body contain 70% percent water and do not burn calories efficiently in a dehydrated state, thus, slowing down metabolism.
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6. Headaches And Lack Of Concentration
Your brain is surrounded by a fluid sac that prevents your brain from hitting the walls of the skull. When you are dehydrated, the fluid sac gets depleted and the brain tends to pull away from the skull triggering receptors that cause headaches. Since less oxygen is supplied to the brain under conditions of dehydration, you will find it difficult to concentrate.
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7. Foul Breath
Saliva keeps a check on the growth of bacteria in your mouth. Lack of water restricts the production of saliva in your mouth resulting in a build up of bacteria which causes bad breath.
8. Constipation
Your colon is responsible for absorbing water from the digested food which is excreted. When there is less water in your body, your colon absorbs more water and makes the stool hard and difficult to excrete. Long-time dehydration can cause chronic constipation.
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If there is a lack of water in your body for an extended period of time, you can suffer from heart strokes, seizures, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, kidney failure, and even death. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking lots of water at one time will cause the water to get eliminated from your system without being absorbed for the body’s various functions. Carry a bottle wherever you go and hydrate after strenuous, sweaty activities.