In addition to feeling thirsty, there are a number of symptoms associated with being mildly dehydrated and some serious ones associated with acute dehydration.
Mild symptoms include:
- Headache
- Low Energy
- Low Mental Acuity
- Low Back Pain
- Digestive Disorders
- Constipation
- Weight Issues
- Dry Skin and Hair
- Irritability
Acute symptoms include:
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Arthritis and Joint Pain
- Type II Diabetes
- Hypertension / Arrhythmia
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
A Journal of Applied Physiology study1 found that dehydration by 2.5% to 5.0% of body mass strongly increased cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, the primary stress hormones. So dehydration is a cause of stress and stress often leads to dehydration. Are you feeling stressed out? The symptoms above are enough to cause stress in anyone. The best way to break this vicious cycle, avoid the symptoms above, and reap the benefits of hydration is to simply relax and drink up!
1) Judelson AD. et al. “Effect of hydration state on resistance exercise-induced endocrine markers of anabolism, catabolism, and metabolism.” Journal of Applied Physiology September 2008 vol. 105 no. 3 816-824.