What is dehydration? | 6 Signs of dehydration

What is dehydration?

Dehydration is a condition caused by a lack of water and sometimes electrolytes in the body. It only takes between 1 and 2% water loss for the signs of poor hydration to begin to show.  Lack of water is the most common form of dehydration. Lack of electrolytes becomes a factor when a person sweats a lot, such as on a hot day or after an extended workout. There are two kinds of dehydration: Temporary  and chronic.

Temporary dehydration usually happens on hot days or during a workout if you don’t drink enough water or your electrolytes run low. You can avoid it by drinking water during workouts and on hot days. If you are going to work out, or be in the hot sun for more than an hour, be sure to replenish your electrolyte balance with alkaline water and an electrolyte drink mix.

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Chronic dehydration occurs when the body is in a long term state of dehydration. It’s caused by not drinking enough water, and can be aggravated by too much salt in the diet. Chronic dehydration can contribute to serious health issues like high blood pressure. You can avoid these health issues by drinking enough water and drinking it at the right time of day.

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What are the signs of dehydration?

Simple test to check your hydration status: Pinch the skin directly behind any knuckle on your hand. The skin should flatten out right away when you release it. If the skin you pinched stays pinched for more than a second, you are dehydrated.

6 Signs of temporary dehydration: It only takes 2% water loss for athletic performance and mental alertness to decline. Look for these 6 symptoms:

• Hot, red, skin with no sweat *
• Confusion *
• Thirst
• Dry, chapped lips
• Salty, white residue around lips
• Fatigue

* DANGER: Get medical help!

6 Signs of chronic dehydration: The long term symptoms can be harder to spot, and may also be associated with health problems like metabolic syndrome:

• Constipation
• High blood pressure
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Achy joints
• Headaches

Alkaline water hydration: 17% better than plain water

A study conducted at Montana State University showed that alkaline water with a pH of 10 hydrates better than water with a neutral 7 pH. The study compared cyclists that drank regular bottled water with cyclists that drank alkaline water. The cyclists that drank alkaline water retained more of the water they drank, and re-hydrated faster after working out.

Click here for more information about the study that showed alkaline water hydrates 17% better than plain bottled water.

Alkaline water hydration has many benefits Call our water health experts today at 877-959-7977 to find out what alkaline water can do for you.