Effects of Dehydration: How Your Body Behaves When Dehydrated

While there are many reasons to chug water, learning about the effects of dehydration will further encourage you to increase your water consumption.

It's essential that you stay hydrated as you enjoy the summer season. Medical professionals are emphasizing the hidden risks of dehydration and its impact on the body and mind more than ever as heat waves smash records around the nation.

Dehydration can seriously impair a person's cognitive functioning in as little as two hours, reducing their capacity for concentration, executive function, and motor coordination. Here’s a look at the effects of dehydration and how it can affect your body.

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A Look At The Effects Of Dehydration On Your Body

It's been said before, and it will be said again: Water makes up around 60% of the human body and, therefore, being hydrated is crucial for maintaining basic bodily functions. The body uses water to supply nutrition and oxygen to cells, flush out waste and toxins, and protect organs, among many other specialized tasks.

As a result, restricting the amount of water your body can access can significantly damage its capacity to carry out these tasks by lowering internal sodium and electrolyte levels and resulting in physical and mental deficits.

It is crucial to drink sufficient amount of water in a day. (Image via Unsplash/ Anderson Rian)

You could have a variety of unpleasant side effects, beyond chapped lips and a dry mouth, if you don't keep your body hydrated. Here are some of the scary effects of dehydration on your body:

1) Effects of Dehydration on Kidneys

Our bodies' systems cooperate to maintain our health. The urinary system accomplishes this by removing waste, managing our electrolyte levels, and regulating the volume, pH, and pressure of our blood.

The urinary system, which is mostly made up of kidneys, ureters, and bladder, works in conjunction with the lungs, intestines, and skin to keep our bodies' water levels stable. To make urine that is eliminated from the body, the kidneys filter waste from the blood. These organs can be stretched and risk suffering serious injuries if they are not properly hydrated.

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2) Effects of Dehydration on Your Mood

You may experience an emotional rollercoaster. Negative mood swings result from minor dehydration, while anxiety, irritation, and weariness increase in people when their body loses even 1.5% of its usual water capacity.

Dehydration can also bring about mood swings. (Image via Unsplash/ Joshua Rawson Harris)

The body, however, doesn't start to feel thirsty until it has lost 1% to 2% of its usual water capacity. Thus, the easiest method to avoid unpleasant mood swings is to drink water before you feel thirsty.

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3) Effects of Dehydration on Sleep

Sleep disorders, including difficulty falling asleep and remaining asleep all night, can also be related to dehydration. In order to prepare you for the day ahead, your body needs time to heal itself and restore chemical balance while you sleep.

Dehydration before bed can interfere with your body's recovery process and result in problems like dry mouth and nose, which can cause snoring and a restless night.

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Does Dehydration Cause Diarrhea?

Yes, dehydration can lead to diarrhea because electrolyte imbalance occurs when the body has less fluid than is necessary for normal function.

Dehydration can also be caused by other things like diarrhea and vomiting. When diarrhea strikes abruptly and severely, electrolytes and water are rapidly and significantly lost. When vomiting is involved, the problem gets worse since even more fluids and minerals are lost in the process.

Excessive fluid loss from the body causes dehydration. As a result, the body loses vital electrolytes like salt and potassium, which leads to an imbalance.

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We all know how important it is to drink enough water, and most of us undoubtedly make an effort to get our recommended eight glasses each day. It's important because the effects of dehydration can be rather frightening.