The condition of dehydration is created when your body does not have enough water. It is a state where your body fluids are depleted, and you experience thirst, dry mouth, and excessive urination. Dehydration can be attributed to many factors, but the most common causes are strenuous activity or excessive sweating because of hot weather. Some medications also promote thirst and increase urination. The body's circulatory system is affected to a great extent because of the lack of water. It is the cause of many medical conditions. Prolonged dehydration could lead to death. The human body loses water through sweating and breathing, so it is essential to replenish water daily for good health. Other than this, different symptoms and causes lead to dehydration, depending on your lifestyle and health status.

Signs Of Dehydration

Some people may not recognize that they or someone they are with is becoming dehydrated. Thankfully there are some things to look out for. These include: 

• Changes In The Skin - Due to dehydration, your skin dries up and becomes parched. It can be observed by the appearance of fine lines on the face and cracked skin. If there is no water intake for extended periods, the skin loses elasticity. The more dehydrated you are, the smaller your blood vessels, leading to poor circulation and difficulty breathing.
• Changes In The Eyes - Dehydration is responsible for changes in the eyes. By drinking less water, the eye becomes dry, and this causes vision difficulties. You may experience dark circles under your eyes and redness around them. The eyeballs also become smaller because of dryness, leading to short-sightedness.
• Changes In The Mouth - The mouth becomes dry, which leads to a feeling of thirst, a bad taste in the mouth, and a foul odor. The conditions of dehydration that are caused by excessive heat or extreme physical activities may cause ulcers in the mouth. It could also lead to bleeding while chewing food or brushing your teeth.
• Other Physical Symptoms
• As mentioned above, your breath becomes hot and labored because of dehydration. You may be unable to speak correctly because of the dryness in your throat and lungs. If the dehydration continues for extended periods, you may experience dizziness, fainting, and other severe conditions.
• Other Mental Symptoms - Feeling irritable, tired, dizzy, and having difficulty concentrating on any activity. It also leads to confusion and a lack of focus. 

Other symptoms of dehydration causes include diarrhea or constipation, fever, and depression.

Potential Complications

If dehydration is a regular occurrence or becomes severe, then there are several things that can occur to a person. Some of these include: 

Gastrointestinal Problems - Dehydration can cause the colon to get rid of too much water, which may produce an urge to have a bowel movement. In such cases, you may experience diarrhea. It is one of the most common complications of dehydration.

Heart Problems - When there is not enough water in the body and heart, it pumps less blood, leading to decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate. The arteries are also unable to deliver blood efficiently throughout your body, causing further complications, including stroke or heart attack.

Kidney Problems - The kidneys cannot remove the toxic waste from your body when dehydrated. Consequently, the waste accumulates in the body and leads to kidney failure. The digestive system does not have enough water to digest the food, which can lead to further complications. When there is not enough water in your body, it does not get rid of too much salt, which could cause swelling of your limbs or joints.

Brain Problems - When a person is dehydrated, the brain does not get enough water to function normally. It could lead to confusion, lack of focus, and inability to concentrate.

Infections And Other Complications - Dehydration can cause infections in different parts of your body due to a restricted immune system. Therefore, it is essential to drink plenty of water daily for good health.

Avoiding Dehydration

Thankfully, there are many things which can be done to ensure that dehydration doesn’t become a serious issue for many people. Much of it is common sense, but people may still ignore them. Some ways to avoid dehydration include: 

• Drink Enough Water - Drinking water every day is one of the best ways to combat dehydration. It contains water that is vital for the body to function. It helps prevent many health problems and improves the level of energy in your body.
• Eat a Healthy And Balanced Diet - Eat a healthy balanced diet with an adequate amount of fruits, vegetables, and grains daily. A balanced diet consisting of different nutrients is advisable for good health and combating dehydration.
• Exercise Regularly - Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent dehydration. It consists of physical activities that help increase your heart rate and blood pressure and give you a boost of energy. While exercising, you may not drink water because your body does not need water for this activity. However, it is better to drink a glass of water after exercising for good health and combating dehydration.

It is essential for everyone, especially children and older adults, to drink enough water. Although it is believed that drinking water does not always prevent dehydration, it helps in many other ways. It keeps your body cool during hot weather and prevents inflammation or infection in your body.