If you’re not paying attention to the signs, dehydration can easily sneak up on you. Sure, that houseplant looks fine. In fact, you can probably go another day or so without watering it. But wait any longer and you have a wilted mess. With humans, however, it can often be harder to tell there’s a problem. In fact, we may not even feel thirsty at all. With record temperatures soaring across the country this summer, it’s never been more important to stay hydrated, or to know these sneaky signs of dehydration your body could be sending you.
Muscle Cramps / Spasms
You don’t have to be an Olympian to experience the same kind of muscle cramps one might have after a vigorous workout. They occur because your body is low on potassium and sodium, which balance pH levels and help control the function of your nervous system. These are normally delivered via the electrolytes found in water, so if you haven’t been drinking enough, be sure to up your intake to avoid future discomfort.
Furthermore, if you find yourself getting those painful charley horses, this could also be a signal that you need to drink more water.
Headaches
Dehydration has been found to temporarily shrink brain tissue, which researchers believe can cause painful headaches, including migraines.
Dry-Mouth / Bad Breath
To keep your breath fresh, your mouth needs to stay moisturized. Usually, this is taken care of by your saliva, however when you are dehydrated you don’t produce as much as you normally would. This can not only affect your breath, but it can also affect your teeth and gums because without it you cannot wash away dangerous bacteria and food particles that could otherwise be lingering in your mouth. This could in turn increase your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Hunger
Remember when you used to tell mom you were hungry an hour after dinner, and she would tell you to drink water? Well, as it turns out she was onto something there. Thirst and hunger both originate in the area of the brain known as the hypothalamus. So, when you’re feeling hungry even after eating, the real culprit could actually be dehydration.
Exhaustion
You’ve heard of heat exhaustion in the summer, but if you’re dehydrated you can even be exhausted in the cold. This is because your cells need to stay hydrated during the day to deliver key nutrients that keep your body energized. Without this, your body will feel tired and sluggish, even if the temperature is mild.
Remember, dehydration isn’t always easy to detect. It can easily cause a host of medical and dental problems, so be sure to stay hydrated this summer by drinking plenty of water and avoiding extreme temperatures when possible.
About Dr. Christensen
Dr. Mike Christensen enjoys the ability that dentistry creates to interact with patients in a meaningful way. In addition to helping them achieve their oral health goals, he also appreciates the opportunity to get to know them on a more personal level. Dr. Christensen has received many hours of advanced training in dental implantology and surgery, he is also an Invisalign provider, and a member of the American Dental Association, Utah Dental Association, and Academy of General Dentistry.
To schedule a dental exam with Soldotna Dental Arts, please visit our website or call us today at 907-420-3938.