10 Unusual Signs of Dehydration in Kids & Adults

Did you know that our body temperature, skin texture, and breath indicate our hydration or dehydration levels? In this article, let us discuss unusual signs of dehydration in kids and adults.

But first, let us know what dehydration is. Dehydration occurs when our body cannot function correctly due to low and insufficient water levels.

Dehydration can be mild or can be severe. Mild dehydration is inconvenient but tolerable. On the other hand, severe dehydration can cause blood clots, convulsions, and other potentially fatal complications that need immediate treatment. Due to potential complications, knowing how to detect the early signs of dehydration is crucial. The usual symptoms are feeling thirsty or sleepy. However, other signs of dehydration aside from these two are not so obvious. Therefore, we will share with you these unusual signs of dehydration that you should know in kids and adults.

SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION IN KIDS & ADULTS

Bad Breath

Our saliva has antibacterial properties. However, if you are dehydrated, you won’t be able to produce enough saliva to take advantage of its natural aid. If you could not produce enough saliva, you could experience an increase in bacterial growth in your mouth. In turn, bacteria will create bad breath.

Muscle Cramps

If you suffer from muscle cramps when performing physical activity or being in hot weather, you could suffer from dehydration. You become agitated when you exercise, your body temperature rises, and you have a higher chance of muscle cramps. This is because of the intense heat stroke that hits the muscles.

Also, in a cold climate, you can suffer dehydration if you don’t drink enough water while performing physical activity. Dehydration signs in colder climates can appear slowly and feel milder.

In both climates, you can experience dehydration.

Food Cravings for sweets

Dehydration can cause complications in several body organs. The liver, for example, needs water to release glycogen (a glucose-based energy source) and other chemical components. When you are dehydrated, you will experience low energy levels and intense food cravings for sweet foods.

Sometimes, we feel like we are hungry when in fact, we need to drink abundant water.

Dry Skin and Cracked Lips

It is not true that when a person is dehydrated, they will experience continuous and excessive sweating. As dehydration becomes more severe, a person’s skin becomes dry, red, and irritated.

Here’s a simple test, apply pressure on a small area of your skin and let it go immediately. If your skin remains flat, has no color, and is slow to regain its normal appearance, it’s time to drink abundant water and rehydrate.

Drinking water won’t contribute to smooth skin. But the evidence does indicate that plenty of H2O can help put your best face forward, helping to reduce cell damage over time.

Fever & chills

When dehydrated, we are also likely to experience fever and chills. Rage will make the dehydration even worse. The higher the fever, the higher level of dehydration.

Babies and kids can also suffer dehydration due to different causes, like diarrhea, fever, not drinking enough water, and vomiting. Fever is the most severe ailment to watch out for. Visit the pediatrician as soon as possible when it occurs.

Headache which refuses to go away

Did you know that mild dehydration can cause headaches or, even worse, migraine? Chronic dehydration gives you a headache that refuses to go away. Drinking a glass of water and maintaining your hydration level every day is a simple and safest way to prevent or alleviate headaches.

Constantly Fatigue, Even Feeling Exhausted Upon Awakening

If you are constantly experiencing fatigue, feeling tired, dizzy, or lightheaded at rest or doing exercise, it can result from dehydration.

Closely allied to this factor is a sense of chronic fatigue, so much so that you feel tired when you wake from sleep. Inadequate fluids prevent the blood from releasing the much-needed energy your body requires to function. It also means that the blood cannot carry the necessary nutrients to tissues to repair damage caused by routine wear and tear.

Mental Fog

Decreases in specific aspects of cognitive performance- visual working memory and visual vigilance, or the ability to filter out distracting external stimuli – have been seen in both men and women who are mildly dehydrated.

Irritability

As a result of dehydration, both men and women can experience irritability, tension, and anxiety. For women, the feeling of negative moods is strong.

Change the color of urine.

Under normal circumstances, urine is light yellow. You know you must increase the water you drink when it changes to a dark tint or becomes orange.

Note: To not experience these unusual signs of dehydration, according to a study, an adequate daily fluid intake is about 3.7 liters of fluids for men and 2.7 liters of fluids a day for women. Also, not all drinks promote hydration; some can cause dehydration, including alcohol, energy drinks, and even caffeine.

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