More than just feeling thirsty, dehydration can also have more serious signs.
A study by the European Journal of Sports Science found that 91% of professional basketball, volleyball, handball and soccer players who started training were dehydrated. We don’t even realize how dehydrated our bodies are, and this article will show the signs of dehydration during exercise, or in the heat…
1. Headache
Experts believe that dehydration causes the cells in the brain to shrink, so headaches are a telltale sign of dehydration. That’s why you feel a dull ache in your head when working out, going out in the sun, or drinking too much beer.
Drink extra water or electrolyte drinks to replenish your body’s fluids.
2. Tired
Dehydration affects concentration, executive function, and motor coordination. This involves brain cells shrinking, similar to what causes your headaches.
Increased body temperature along with dehydration can affect the brain and cause fatigue. There is also a greater strain on the cardiovascular system, as indicated by an elevated heart rate. So if dehydration becomes more severe, the heart’s ability to supply oxygen is reduced, which makes you feel tired.
3. Dark urine
When dehydrated, your kidneys try to reabsorb that water into your body, resulting in darker, concentrated urine with a very low amount of fluid.
4. Get tired faster when running
Normal running speed can suddenly be affected, you feel more tired when you first start running short distances due to dehydration. Loss of fluid volume changes blood volume levels, so the heart needs to work harder to deliver the oxygen and nutrients it needs to the muscles.
5. Cramps
Dehydration changes the levels of electrolytes in the body, such as sodium and potassium, which cause muscle contractions. If you disrupt your body’s electrolyte balance, the muscles will contract and cause cramps.
