Don't Let Dehydration Get You Down

Dehydration can affect your physical performance. Find out how to not let dehydration get you down.

Believe it or not, but when you are feeling thirsty, your body has already reached dehydration. Dehydration can affect anyone at any time or age, irrespective of your age, gender or fitness capacity.

Technically, dehydration or hyophydration is the removal of water. However, in medical terms; dehydration is a condition in which the body has an insufficient supply of water which is required for regular functioning.

There are various medical causes which can affect dehydration, some of these include: vomiting, burns, diarrhea, hyperthermia, malnutrition, blood loss and yellow fever. However, one can also become dehydrated from extreme exercising conditions which cause a lot of sweating, drinking caffeine and also by taking diuretic medication.

Dehydration can affect your physical performance and physical health. Some of the common symptoms of dehydration include headaches, tooth decay, fatigue, constipation, dizziness or fainting. Therefore it is vitally important to ensure you are taking in enough fluids, specifically plain water. Ideally, you would aim to consume six to ten glasses of water a day, even when you're not feeling thirsty.

The best treatment for basic dehydration is to take in enough water and stop the unnecessary loss of fluid. Fluid can be lost via urinating, sweating, vomiting as well as diarrhea. In more severe cases of dehydration, other measures such as re-hydration therapy or intravenous therapy may be necessary, and it is best to see your doctor immediately if you feel you have a severe case of dehydration.