Four Signs Of Dehydration That Will Send You To The Doctor
About 75% of Americans suffer from chronic dehydration, according to a survey of doctors. Many Americans understand the amount of water it takes to stay hydrated, yet many of them choose to drink less than the advised amount. According to the Food and Nutrition Board, women should consume about 91 ounces a day, while men should consume around 125 ounces per day. When this amount is not consumed, especially over the course of several days, men and women can become dehydrated. While symptoms may not show up at first, eventually you will notice some warning signs appearing to help alert you that you should seek medical attention from your primary care physician. Here are some of the warning signs you should be on the lookout for.
Loss of Focus
Hydration can help keep you alert. When you start to notice a decrease in attention, this could be a sign that you are dehydrated. By consistently consuming the recommended water intake, you could help increase your brain function. Once you start getting dehydrated, you will notice a difference in your brain function, making it much harder to concentrate.
Lack of Urinating
When you reduce the amount of water you consume, you will start to notice a lack in urination. Additionally, improper water intake could also cause you to become constipated. Oftentimes, cramps will be associated with constipation, making it very uncomfortable to move around. If the constipation and lack of urinating continues after consuming the proper amount of water, you may want to visit your physician to help rule out other problems.
Increased Heart Rate and Breathing
When animals need water, you will often see them start to pant. Just as their bodies put out signals alerting for water, your body will also do this. An increase in your heart rate and difficulty breathing can be caused by dehydration. Once you start to experience these symptoms, you have likely moved on to severe dehydration. This requires you to visit your physician so you can get fluids in your body quickly to avoid further damage to your body.
Darker Urine Color
One of the best ways to tell if you are hydrated is by checking out the color of your urine. When you urinate, the color should be clear and odorless. If your urine is more of a yellow or brown color, this is a sign that you are lacking enough water. The best way to combat this is to drink more water in a slow manner. You don't want to gulp it down or you could shock your body.
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