Have you ever thought about your water intake? Do you know if you are drinking enough water throughout the day? Do you know how much water is enough for your optimal health?
When it comes to water consumption, the answer to these questions is conditioned by numerous factors, including a person’s lifestyle, level of activity, eating habits, as well as the climate.
Be that as it may, the best way to find out the amount of water you need per day is to follow your body’s signals. However, not everyone pays enough attention to water consumption and their body’s needs and as a result, struggle with dehydration followed by low urination.
In fact, a healthy individual who drinks enough water urinates on average about 7 to 8 times on a daily basis. Therefore, the sooner you start boosting your water intake, the better for your overall health and well-being.
Continue reading the article to learn the 10 ways in which dehydration is worsening your health.
10 Ways Dehydration Makes You Ill
- Causes fatigue
Without doubt, water is a vital energy source for the human body. Hence, lack of it may slow down the enzymatic activity and lead to excessive tiredness, even after a good sleep or rest.
- Elevates the blood pressure
When the body is adequately hydrated, the blood is around 92 percent water. On the other hand, when the body is dehydrated, the blood thickens and leads to blood flow resistance and higher blood pressure.
- Constipates you
When the body lacks water, it starts to pull out water from the colon so that it can have fluids for other important bodily functions. But, the colon also needs the water so that the waste moves quicker and bowel movements are regular. This is why dehydration can cause constipation.
- Digestive issues
Lack of water and alkaline minerals can trigger a long list of digestive problems like gastritis, ulcers, and acid reflux.
- Stiff and painful joints
The cartilage padding of joints is made mostly of water. This is why the cartilage weakens when the body does not have enough water. The repair of the joints is slowed down and pain and discomfort may be felt.
- Weight gain
Often times, the body may confuse hunger and thirst. This is why you may be reaching for food when you are in fact in need of hydration. As a result, you eat more and consequently, gain more weight.
- High levels of bad cholesterol
Did you know that when your body is dehydrated, it will start to produce higher levels of cholesterol to avert the loss of water from the cells?
- Bladder and kidney issues
In a body which is chronically deprived of water, toxins tend to accumulate and create a perfect surrounding for bad bacteria to grow. As a result, the bladder and kidneys become susceptible to infections, inflammation, and pain in the kidneys and bladder.
- Triggers asthma and allergies
Lack of water in the body will tighten the airways in order to preserve water. And, the histamine production will grow as the body’s reserves of water decrease.
- Worsens the skin’s health
Dehydration, as previously noted, reduces the body’s removal of toxins and this makes the skin more prone to skin issues like wrinkles, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc.
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