All living beings depend on water to stay alive, but activities like sweating, urinating, vomiting, and having diarrhea reduce the body’s fluid levels.
Research shows that the sensation of thirst is part of a complex system that alerts you when your body is dehydrated and not working as it should.
Certain groups are more at risk of dehydration, including people who cannot drink on their own due to illness or disability, athletes who lose a lot of fluids, and individuals who are either very young or elderly.
However, the signs of dehydration aren’t always so obvious. Here are six surprising signs and symptoms of dehydration.
1. Bad Breath Is a Possible Warning Sign of Dehydration
According to health experts, saliva helps fight bacteria, but when you’re dehydrated, your body can’t produce enough of it.
“When your saliva levels drop, bacteria can multiply in the mouth, and this can cause bad breath,” says John Higgins, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas in Houston and chief of cardiology at Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital.
This is also why people often have “morning breath”: saliva production slows while you sleep, allowing bacteria to build up and create an unpleasant taste. So if your mouth feels dry and your breath isn’t smelling great, it may be a sign that you need to drink more water.
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2. Dry or Flushed Skin Could Be a Symptom of Dehydration
Many assume dehydration makes you sweaty, but as it worsens, the skin actually becomes very dry and may look flushed.
Another clear skin sign is reduced elasticity when you pinch the skin, it stays raised or “tented” and takes longer to return to normal. This delayed response can indicate your body is lacking the fluids it needs.
3. Headaches Could Be a Sign You Need to Drink More Water
Even mild dehydration can cause a headache. While headaches can have many causes, drinking a full glass of water and continuing to hydrate throughout the day is a simple way to relieve the pain if dehydration is the reason.
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Dehydration can show up in subtle ways, from bad breath and dry, flushed skin to headaches. Staying aware of these signs is crucial, especially for those at higher risk like the young, elderly, or athletes. Regularly drinking water and maintaining proper hydration helps prevent these symptoms and keeps your body functioning optimally. Always listen to your body’s signals.
