Symptoms and risks of dehydration

Our body needs abundant water to efficiently carry out the most basic biological functions that allow us to stay alive. The level of water demanded by our body varies in each subject, according to their particularities and specific requirements. These requirements are formed as a result of the environmental conditions where the person develops, daily physical activity, lifestyle, quality of food, state of health, height, weight, among others. When we are properly hydrated, the amount of water lost during the day is equivalent to the amount of water we take in.

That said, the risk begins when we break this water balance. If water intake is less than water loss, we are in the process of dehydration. Dehydration may be mild, moderate or severe, depending on how pronounced it is. Prolonged dehydration can lead to various health problems.

During the development of this guide, we will be analyzing some of the essential elements that revolve around this topic. In this way, we will learn the importance of avoiding dehydration if we want to improve our quality of life.

Mild dehydration

During mild dehydration, a number of symptoms begin to appear that are easy to appreciate. The sensation of thirst is usually slight in its initial stage, and urine production decreases and we can lose between 3 to 5% of our body weight. This level of dehydration does not present great risks for our health as long as it is counteracted in a short period of time. Its main function is to warn us that our body's water levels are below adequate levels.

However, this does not mean that we should wait until we experience mild dehydration before drinking water. The mere fact that we are going through a period of dehydration, even a mild one, implies that our water intake is deficient. You should schedule your water intake to avoid facing periods of dehydration.

Moderate dehydration

During moderate dehydration, the symptoms and conditions suffered by our body increase significantly. Not only is the sensation of thirst much greater than during mild dehydration, but we may also face severe headaches, muscle cramps, mood swings, and weakness, among others. During this period, it is also normal for tachycardia and dryness in our mucous membranes and mouth to appear. The loss of body weight increases up to about 10% and we may experience hypothermia.

Moderate dehydration is very dangerous for our health and is the prelude to severe dehydration. In the face of some of these symptoms, we must hydrate