Signs and symptoms of chronic dehydration dark-colored urine. muscle fatigue. dizziness. extreme thirst.
Prolonged or repeated bouts of dehydration can cause urinary tract infections, kidney stones and even kidney failure. Seizures. Electrolytes — such as potassium and sodium — help carry electrical signals from cell to cell.
If the problem that caused dehydration is resolved and the person gets the right amount of fluid, mild to moderate dehydration can resolve in less than a day. Severe dehydration or dehydration of long duration should be treated by doctors in a hospital and typically takes 2 to 3 days to resolve with proper treatment.
So, what if you drink loads of water each day but are still feeling thirsty and dehydrated? It can be a sign that something else is going on. Factors like your medication, how much you sweat and if you're sick can affect your levels of hydration.
The relationship between urine colour and hydration status
The issue is that, whilst urine colour can definitely be somewhat indicative of hydration status, there's definitely not a simple and linear relationship between actual hydration status and the colour of your pee.
In most cases, chronic dehydration can be treated by drinking plain water or water-based drinks with added electrolytes to restore your body's electrolyte balance. Long-term prevention plans must then be put in place to ensure you remain consistently hydrated.
Signs of dehydration include: Headache, delirium, confusion. Tiredness (fatigue). Dizziness, weakness, light-headedness.
Urinalysis. Tests done on your urine can help show whether you're dehydrated and to what degree. They also can check for signs of a bladder infection.
Water. While it likely comes as no surprise, drinking water is most often the best and cheapest way to stay hydrated and rehydrate. Unlike many other beverages, water contains no added sugars or calories, making it ideal to drink throughout the day or specifically when you need to rehydrate, such as after a workout.
Possibly. A complete blood count (CBC) test evaluates the overall health of the blood cells circulating in the body. Hematocrit is one component of the CBC test that can be skewed as a result of dehydration.
If you are dehydrated, it's important to rehydrate as quickly as you can. With beginning symptoms of dehydration, you can rehydrate by consuming fluids that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions.
Muscle cramps or weakness
Another sign of dehydration is a feeling of weakness in certain muscles or severe muscle cramps. The cramps can be caused by electrolyte imbalances and reduced blood flow to those muscles.
Muscle Cramps and Aches
Without enough fluid, our muscles can become extremely sensitive and spasm or contract involuntarily. We need water to flush our bodies of cellular waste. A buildup of toxins can lead to inflammation, which often results in pain.
Rehydrating Your Body
It's recommended to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. You can also receive the water you need from other beverages, fruits, and vegetables. Drinking coffee and tea in moderation can help contribute to hydration. Caffeine, however, can be extremely dehydrating.
Hydration Drainers
Chronic stress. Excess caffeine or alcohol intake. Hot or humid climates. Heavy sweating.
This coloring is primarily caused by the pigment urochrome, also known as urobilin. Whether your urine is diluted by water or in a more concentrated form determines the appearance of the pigment. The more water you drink, and the more hydrated you become, the lighter the pigment in your urine.
Drinking caffeine-containing beverages as part of a normal lifestyle doesn't cause fluid loss in excess of the volume ingested. While caffeinated drinks may have a mild diuretic effect — meaning that they may cause the need to urinate — they don't appear to increase the risk of dehydration.
Medium-dark yellow urine is often an indication that you are dehydrated. Drink 2-3 glasses of water now.
You may particularly experience leg cramps in your calf muscles and thigh muscles. You may also have involuntary contractions like muscle spasms. Dehydration also decreases blood volume. That means your muscles and organs have less blood flow, resulting in cramps and spasms.
The person loses consciousness at any time. There is any other change in the person's alertness (for example, confusion or seizures). The person has a fever over 102°F (38.8°C). You notice symptoms of heatstroke (such as rapid pulse or rapid breathing).
Conclusion: Dehydration is a possible cause of severe abdominal pain. There is a need to educate the general public about the benefits of adequate fluid intake.
In general, however, it usually takes about two hours for your body to rehydrate fully after drinking a significant amount of water. As for how you should rehydrate, water is the best choice. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, can be helpful for athletes who need to replenish electrolytes.
Water is your best bet for everyday hydration, since it is free of sugar, calories, and caffeine. All of your daily food and beverages contribute to your daily fluid needs.