Thirsty? The signs of dehydration can be found from the brain all the way down to your bowels

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels

It’s common knowledge that a change in urine color is a sign of dehydration but sometimes, you’re so dehydrated you don’t even go to the bathroom enough to notice. In this case, be on the lookout for other signs to know if you your body needs water. You’d be surprised to find out that your everyday problems are more than you think.

1. Bad breath

As expected, your mouth will immediately tell you if you’re in dire need of a drink. Saliva has antibacterial properties and is constantly cleaning your mouth, but you need water to produce saliva. When you’re dehydrated, saliva production lessens. This causes bacteria to build up, which is what’s making your breath stink.

2. Acne

Staying hydrated is all about flushing out toxins. If you can’t cleanse yourself with water, then the body will find a way. This could result in acne, not just on your face, but in other parts of your body, too. Your skin needs to stay moisturized or else it’ll cause the oil glands to work overtime.

3. Sweet cravings

You’ve probably heard someone say that drinking water helps curb hunger. Well, it’s because your body gets mixed signals on hunger. When you’re thirsty, the body can also mistake it for hunger because it makes it harder for organs like your liver to function. The liver needs water to release glycogen and other components of your energy stores so without it, you’d start getting food cravings according to experts. Glycogen typically requires water and glucose, which explains why you’re more likely to get sweet cravings more than any other.

4. Brain fog

Your brain consists of a lot of water, and the cells need the proper amount in order to function efficiently. Naturally, your brain is one of the first to react when you’re thirsty or dehydrated. It’ll send you early warnings like headaches but if it continues, it can impair your short-term memory functions. It messes with your focus and makes it harder to do simple tasks. You’ll also be more unnecessarily irritated throughout the whole day.

5. Constipation

If you have trouble passing poop, then it probably means you haven’t been drinking. The large intestine absorbs water from your food waste when you’re dehydrated, and this leads to hard stool. Water in the digestive tract helps soften stool and make it easier to pass. It doesn’t really cure constipation, but it’ll lessen the chances of it happening.