What Happens to Your Body If You Don’t Drink Enough Water? 💧
When you don’t replace the fluids your body loses, you can become dehydrated. Your body needs water for temperature regulation, circulation, digestion, joint lubrication and removing waste.
Early signs of dehydration
- Thirst
- Dry mouth or lips
- Dark-yellow urine
- Urinating less often
- Tiredness or weakness
- Headache
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
If dehydration becomes severe
Significant fluid loss can lead to low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, electrolyte disturbances, kidney problems, confusion, fainting, seizures and, in extreme cases, life-threatening shock.
Older adults can be particularly vulnerable because the sensation of thirst may become less reliable with age. Hot weather, exercise, fever, vomiting and diarrhea also increase fluid needs.
💧 How much should you drink?
There’s no single amount that everyone must drink every day. Needs vary with body size, food intake, activity, climate and health conditions. Rather than forcing huge quantities of water, drink regularly and pay attention to thirst and urine output.
If you have heart failure, kidney disease or another condition that requires fluid restriction, follow your clinician’s specific fluid advice
