While dehydration is often associated with thirst, that's not the only warning signal our bodies share with us.
The condition can occur when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, which can affect the body's ability to perform its normal functions, experts say.
The body loses fluids and water through sweat and urine, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
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“Particularly in warm, hot weather, the body loses water and fluids more quickly,” Dr. Mike Sevilla, a family physician at Salem Family Care in Salem, Ohio, told Fox News Digital.
“If these fluids are not replenished, the body becomes dehydrated.”
Water is lost when you sweat, so if you do intense activity and don't replenish fluids, you can become dehydrated. (iStock)
Although anyone can become dehydrated, it can be especially dangerous for vulnerable groups, such as young children and the elderly.
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5 surprising symptoms of dehydration
Doctors shared with Fox News Digital some of the signs of dehydration that go beyond thirst.
1. Sweating
It may come as a surprise that excessive sweating can be an indicator of dehydration.
You lose water when you sweat, so if you're exercising vigorous activity and does not replace fluids, can cause dehydration, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Illness is an often overlooked cause of dehydration that often leads to fluid loss. (iStock)
“In heat and humidity, we lose more water through sweat, which is what causes the body to tell the brain that it needs water and the actual sensation of thirst occurs,” Dr. Lauren Fine, a board-certified dermatologist at Fine Dermatology in Chicago, told Fox News Digital.
2. Disease
Illness is an often overlooked cause of dehydration. With too much vomiting or diarrheaThe body can run out of fluids quickly, especially in young people and older adults, Sevilla said.
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“Having a fever or an infection can also cause dehydration, because fever can make you sweat and therefore lose fluid,” he warned.
3. Fatigue
One of the initial signs of dehydration is fatigue.
Fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration, according to experts. (iStock)
“People usually ignore this symptom, thinking they're just tired,” Sevilla said, but it can progress to dizziness and lightheadedness.
To combat fatigue, she recommends consuming electrolyte drinks to increase energy levels.
4. Dark urine
If your urine is amber or honey colored, or dark orange, this may indicate that your body is not Getting enough wateraccording to Health.com.
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“If you're dehydrated and you're retaining more water, your urine will become increasingly darker,” Dr. Michael A. Palese, director of the Department of Urology at Mount Sinai in New York, told Health.com.
5. Skin changes
Dehydrated skin It may look dull and dry, and may also show premature signs of aging, such as shallow wrinkles.
Skin changes can be a symptom of dehydration, experts say. (iStock)
“Skin cells need water to survive,” Fine said.
To keep your skin hydrated, she recommends drinking water while exercising, cutting back on coffee and other caffeinated beverages, and eating more. fruits, vegetables and legumes.
When to seek medical attention
The longer dehydration continues without drinking enough fluids, the worse the symptoms will be, according to Sevilla.
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Severe dehydration causes dizziness, confusion, and increased heart rate and low blood pressure, the doctor said.
“The more severe the dehydration, the more difficult it is for people to drink enough fluids to improve the condition,” he said.
In cases of severe hydration, a person may need to visit the hospital or emergency department to receive intravenous fluids. (iStock)
In cases of severe hydration, the person may need to visit the hospital or Emergency Department Receive fluids intravenously.
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Both doctors stressed the importance of being proactive and drinking water or fluids containing electrolytes before exercising or playing sports.
