Hydration is crucial to life and life-supporting activities and functions. The body cannot survive without enough water. From a very basic cellular level to an advanced organ and system level, the body runs on the water as the car runs on fuel. Maintaining sufficient hydration is an important aspect to support the body in its proper functioning.
Some key functions taking place in the body all around the clock include temperature regulation of the body, waste removal, joints lubrication. Being too low on hydration can lead to serious health consequences. It is essential to maintain good hydration and know the basics about hydration to avoid serious health issues.
What Happens When You Get Dehydrated?
Dehydration is when the body has too low a water level to support key functions in the body. It could result from several reasons. One of the main reasons is the inability to drink plenty of water; other reasons could include some lifestyle patterns such as excessive alcohol consumption.
Thus limiting the intake of these drinks is crucial in maintaining good hydration levels in the body. If managing with the habit is troublesome for you, then certainly an addiction treatment guide from a nearby rehab center can help out.
Some signs of major dehydration due to these alcoholic drinks include headaches, physical exhaustion, dry mouth, and dark urine with too little urination. However, dehydration is reversible and can help the body overcome symptoms and get started with essential necessities by managing a good water intake.
Knowing When To Rehydrate
Rehydrating the body is not that difficult. Thanks to some physical indication about hydration level in the body. Reading out bodily signs about hydration levels can help in maintaining good hydration. Some of these important signs are:
1. Dry Mouth
The mouth is lubricated with saliva, an important enzyme that supports many functions. Without enough water, the mouth gets dry as there is too little saliva in the mouth. Low saliva also gives rise to other oral problems such as the bad breath. It is important to drink water as you feel the mouth getting drier immediately.
Blood supplies enough nutrients to the muscles and supports muscle function. With dehydration, the nutrients required to carry out functions could not be supplied, leading to the sensation of fatigue in the body.
Another important aspect is that with too little water, the fluids are directed towards muscles to support muscle functions. This drives fluids from the surface and makes it difficult to diffuse heat leading to fatigue.
Our brain signals the body to drink water by the desire of thirst. As soon as the hydration level goes down in the body, the brain immediately signals the body to drink water. This is why we feel thirsty. It is important to respond back to thirst immediately and quench it with a glass of water.
4. Dark Urine
Urine color is also an important indicator of hydration level in the body. Relatively dark color urine and too little urine can indicate dehydration. It is important to drink more water to get it back to a normal pale yellow state. Dehydration can lead to kidney stones and other kidney problems; thus, maintaining good water intake is essential.
How Long Does It Take To Rehydrate?
The answer to this question depends on the level of dehydration. In case of mild dehydration, the condition can be reversed in a couple of hours by taking sufficient amounts of water. However, allow your body to rest as this will help retain available fluid and avoid excessive loss.
In case of severe dehydration, it might take a day or two to rehydrate completely. The body will need time to replenish lost electrolytes and regain water balance. In some cases, you might need to visit a doctor to handle severe dehydration.
Can A Body Get Overhydrated?
It is very rare for a body to get overhydrated. The kidneys are normally capable of removing excess water from the body. However, certain metabolic and hormonal disorders can lead to overhydration. This usually occurs due to the inability of the body to excrete extra water.
The body running too low on electrolytes may also result in water retention leading to overhydration in the body. This is also called Hyponatremia. In this condition, the sodium level in the body declines to a dangerous level.
Other Ways To Hydration
Though water is the most basic way of keeping hydration, some other ways can maintain hydration levels in the body. It is important to know how to rehydrate the body with other than water sources. Some of these important means are:
1. Food With High Water Content
There are countless food options when specifically talking about maintaining hydration with food sources. It does not merely provide water to the body, but some essential electrolytes such as potassium and sodium can also be acquired.
These electrolytes are very crucial in maintaining water balance in the body. Some good sources are cucumber, lettuce, watermelon, and oranges.
Beverages such as fresh juice and tea are important means to help rehydrate the body. Fresh fruit juices are nutritious and also support the body in maintaining hydration. Tea is another important way to re-energize the body and help the body in regaining fluids essential to many functions.
3. Avoiding Alcohol And Sweetened Drinks
It is important to know that too much alcohol and artificially sweetened drinks are diuretic and can possibly lead to dehydration. If you rely too much on beverages (alcohol & energy drinks) other than water, then certainly the body has a greater chance of dehydration.
Thus, you need to give up this habit of drinking alcohol. Besides, celebrities who don’t drink can also help in motivating and giving compelling force to individuals to avoid alcoholic beverages as people look up to them for inspiration.
Knowing the basics about hydration is important to avoid consequences. One important aspect is to get to know how to rehydrate the body. Reading out signs of dehydration can help in rehydrating the body. Similarly, healthily maintaining fluid intake from other food sources can help in rehydration.