Dehydration, which occurs when the body has insufficient water and other fluids to function properly, can lead to blood clots, seizures, and other potentially fatal complications. Studies have shown that even mild dehydration can have adverse effects on mood and energy. Thatâs why itâs so important to catch dehydration early on, but the signs arenât always obvious ones like thirst and fatigue.
Here are six surprising indicators that you might be dehydrated.Â
1. Bad breath. Saliva has antibacterial properties in it, but dehydration can prevent your body from making enough saliva.Â
If youâre not producing enough saliva in the mouth, you can get bacteria overgrowth and one of the side reactions of that is bad breath from chronic dehydration.
2. Dry skin. A lot of people think that people who get dehydrated are really sweaty; but as you go through various stages of dehydration, you become very dizzy and you donât have enough blood volume so you get very dry skin. Because the skin is dry and not evaporating as well, you can also experience flushing of the skin.Â
Think you canât get dehydrated in cooler seasons or climates? Think again. Symptoms may be milder or come on slower, but itâs still possible to be dehydrated in cooler weather.
3. Muscle cramps. The hotter you get, the more likely you are to get muscle cramps, and thatâs from a pure heat effect on the muscles. As the muscles work harder and harder, they can seize up from the heat itself. Changes in the electrolytes, changes in the sodium and potassium can lead to muscle cramping as well.
4. Fever and chills. It might sound counterintuitive, but if your body is severely dehydrated you may experience fever like symptoms or even chills.Â
5. Food cravings, especially for sweets. When youâre dehydrated, it can be difficult for some nutrients and organs like the liver which use water to release some glycogens and other components of your energy stores, so you can actually get cravings for food. While you can crave anything from chocolate to a salty snack, cravings for sweets are more common because your body may be experiencing difficulty with glycogen production.
If craving something sweet, reach for a snack that has high water content. Most fruits and vegetables have high water content and will help you stay hydrated. In fact, some fruits and vegetables are more than 90% water; including cantaloupe, strawberries, watermelon, cucumber, celery, lettuce and leafy greens, zucchini, tomatoes, and bell peppers.Â
6. Headaches. The brain sits inside a fluid sack that keeps it from bumping against the skull.  If that fluid sack is depleted or running low because of dehydration, the brain can push up against parts of the skull, causing headaches.Â
Some drinks that can cause dehydration include alcohol, energy drinks, and even caffeine as it has a slight diuretic effect.Â
How to Check If Youâre Dehydrated
Not sure if that sweet craving or muscle cramp is a sign you need to hydrate? Here are two other ways to check if your body is dehydrated.
Try this skin test. First, use two fingers to grab a roll of skin on the back of your hand (between where your watch sits and where your fingers start). Pull the skin up about ½ to one centimeter high and then let the skin go. The skin should spring back to its normal position in less than a couple of seconds. If the skin bounces back slowly, you might be dehydrated.Â
Check your urine. If youâre well-hydrated your urine will be mostly clear with a tinge of yellow. Yellow, chardonnay, and orange are the âwarningâ colors to watch for. When your body is about three percent dehydrated your urine will be noticeably yellow. When your body is about five percent dehydrated, your urine will appear chardonnay-colored. When your body is more than five percent dehydrated â which is considered severely dehydrated â your urine will appear orange.
Tips for Staying HydratedÂ
Keep your water bottle handy. If it's right next to you, you'll likely get into the habit of sipping it without even realizing it.
Spice up plain water. If you don't love plain water, jazz it up by adding a splash of fruit juice or chunks of fresh or frozen fruit.
Try different teas. Unsweetened flavored teas, are available in lots of different flavors. Sip fruity iced teas during and hot peppermint or chamomile tea at night â they all count towards your daily fluid goal.
Makeover your snacks. Swap dry, carby snacks like chips, pretzels, and crackers, which have a very low water content, with refreshing  fresh or frozen fruit, yogurt, healthy smoothies, celery with peanut butter, and cut veggies with hummus.
Pile on the produce. Aim to make half your plate produce at meals. Vegetable and fruit servings will supply water as well as a hearty dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Sip more during meals. Sipping water with meals will help you eat more slowly, pace your eating, and of course stay hydrated.
Opt for room temperature or cooler water. When it comes to fluids, steer clear of extreme temperatures. When ice water comes into the stomach it constricts the arteries surrounding the stomach, which help the stomach function properly and help with water absorption. Ice water will just sit in your stomach until it warms up. If you hear water swishing around in your stomach, it means the water is not getting absorbed. Fluids that are cooler or room temperature are better options.
When it comes to total water intake, which includes water gained from foods and other beverages like tea and milk, the Institute of Medicine recommends that most women get about 2.7 liters of water a day (or about 12 cups), and most men get about 3.7 liters a day (or about 15 cups).
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