According to MedlinePlus, being dehydrated doesn't just mean your body is losing water — it also means you're losing electrolytes, such as salt and potassium, which help your body breathe, move, talk, and do all the other things it needs to do to stay up and running.
Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than you take in. When the normal water content of your body is reduced, it upsets the balance of minerals (salts and sugar) in your body, which affects the way it functions. Water makes up over two-thirds of the healthy human body.
Effects of Dehydration
As you lose fluid, your blood becomes more concentrated, making your cardiovascular system work harder to efficiently pump blood. A high blood concentration also makes your kidneys retain more water, which is why you urinate less.
The skin, muscles, kidneys, brain, and heart can all suffer from the effects of dehydration.
peeing less often than usual. feeling dizzy or lightheaded. feeling tired. a dry mouth, lips and tongue.
Dehydration can lead to severe complications, such as seizures, swelling of the brain, kidney failure, shock, coma and even death.
Electrolytes are key to staying healthy and hydrated. Electrolytes are minerals contained in your blood and other bodily fluids that affect the amount of water your body retains. Some of the more common electrolytes are calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.
Sodium and chloride are the primary minerals lost through sweat, though potassium, magnesium, and calcium are also lost at lower levels. In fact, the human body loses an average of one gram of sodium for every one liter of sweat.
Processed foods, pharmaceutical drugs, calcium supplements, certain types of Vitamin D, unbound copper, caffeine, nicotine, dehydration, sweating, phosphates, and stress all burn up the body's magnesium supply.
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.
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.
Not Urinating or Very Dark Urine
Normal urine should be pale yellow, like lemonade. If your urine is a darker color, similar to apple juice, this could be a sign of moderate to severe dehydration. If you're not urinating at all, you're most likely severely dehydrated. This requires immediate medical attention.
The body signals its need for fluid via the sensation of thirst, a dryness in the mouth. Dark, concentrated urine also indicates a need for fluid, and headache may also be caused by dehydration, but these symptoms occur later than thirst, at a time when the body's need for fluid is much greater.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
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.
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.
Cantaloupe, grapefruit, strawberries, watermelon, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, sweet peppers, radishes, spinach, zucchini, and tomatoes are all at least 90% water. Soups, popsicles, water ice, and gelatins are also high in water.
In severe cases, dehydration can lead to shock or even death. If you or your child is vomiting, has a fever, or is unable to urinate, you should go to the ER right away.
If you're feeling dehydrated or run down, a vitamin C drip could be just the thing you need to feel energetic and well again. If you're concerned about getting an overdose of vitamin C, don't worry. This vitamin is water-soluble, which means any excess beyond what your body needs is excreted with your urine.