How do you know you’re dehydrated, even if you’re not thirsty

In the summer, we’re more aware of the problem of dehydration, so we drink more. Unfortunately, thirst and dehydration are not always related. Here are 6 symptoms that show you’re dehydrated even if you don’t realize it.

1. Bad breath
Bad breath can occur when too many bacteria build up in your saliva, and this can also be caused by dehydration of internal organs. This is also the reason why we often have bad breath in the morning... The production of saliva slows down at night, which allows more bacteria to accumulate in the mouth, but just a morning glass of water on an empty stomach can improve things significantly. So: start your day with a glass of lukewarm water and your loved ones will like you more.

2. Dry and reddened skin
Many people think that if you wake up sweaty in the morning it means you’re dehydrated. The opposite! Dry skin (on the face, hands, feet…) is a sign you lack fluids. If this happens to you repeatedly, it could also be due to the room where you sleep. You have to be very careful with dry skin, as facts show it takes three to five days for a room to become properly humidified.

3. Muscle cramps
When the body loses a lot of fluids, it first shows through cramps in the arms, legs, even spine. In the summer, this often happens because of heat stroke, and this is a sign your body can no longer protect itself. The hotter your body is, the more likely you are to have muscle cramps. When this happens, a glass of water is the quickest solution, but it’s also important to remember that lack of water also means a lack of electrolytes, so make sure you get enough magnesium, potassium, calcium… Pay special attention during exercise, as well as during intense swimming (just because you’re in water doesn’t mean you can’t get dehydrated).

4. Fever and chills are symptoms of heat illness, which causes dehydration
Whenever you’re sweating heavily, but your skin feels cold to the touch, this means your body is experiencing fever. The body is trying to cool down, but the higher the temperature difference, the more dehydrated you become. If your body temperature rises but your skin becomes drier, you’ll notice redness on the surface—this is already a sign of severe dehydration. In this case, you should seek medical help immediately.

5. Craving food, especially sweets
In the summer this often means your body needs more energy to cool itself, because it doesn’t have enough water to cool down the usual way. Craving food can also mean your liver can’t clean enough blood and cool the body at the same time, so it sends a signal to the brain for more energy. In any case, make sure to get enough water in the summer, and then listen to your body—treat yourself to something sweet if you want. Let no diet be your excuse. You should take care of the excuses much earlier.

6. Headache
Dehydration can trigger migraines, even if you don’t usually have migraines. Don’t forget, your head is often very exposed to the sun and heat, so drink water regularly and don’t forget a hat.


Information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.