Are You Dehydrated?

Our bodies consist of about 60% water. Dehydration occurs when a person loses more fluids than he/she takes in. When this happens, your body's cells will begin to absorb fluids from the blood and other body tissues.

Some common causes of dehydration include stomach illnesses (that cause vomiting or diarrhea), lots of physical activity, or simply not drinking enough water. Infants and children are more susceptible to dehydration than adults because of their smaller body weight and higher turnover for electrolytes.

Are you well hydrated? Just because you do not feel thirsty does not mean you are not dehydrated. By the time you feel thirsty, you already are dehydrated. Some other indications of dehydration include feeling dizzy or lightheaded, dry lips/mouth, producing less urine, lack of energy and muscle cramps.

If your urine comes out clear or pale yellow, that means you are well hydrated. Bright yellow colored urine is a sign that you may be taking vitamins. If you are dehydrated, your kidney will work to conserve water instead of excreting it and will release a residue that turns urine dark yellow.

Dehydration is classified as mild, moderate or severe. Mild dehydration causes approximately 1% to 2% loss in body weight. Severe dehydration is life-threatening and occurs when there is no longer enough fluid in the body to get blood to your organs. Severe cases are usually defined as the loss of 9% to 15% of body weight.

Generally speaking, dehydration is preventable and can normally be treated by drinking fluids. Many fruits and vegetables are loaded with water. For example, cucumbers are 95% water and oranges are 87% water. The amount of fluids required to keep hydrated varies with activity and age. It is important to make a conscious effort to keep yourself hydrated. The general recommendation is 8 eight ounce glasses per day.