Dehydration

Whatever you do, make sure you get in those six to eight glasses,
otherwise dehydration could cause a whole host of problems. Here are a few side
effects:Persistent headaches. One of the first things you might notice when
you’re dehydrated is a throbbing headache. The good news? If dehydration is the
cause, it should go away shortly after you drink a large glass of water.Sluggish bowel function. “There are water receptors in the colon,
and they pull water from the body to make the stools softer,If you don’t get enough water, hard stools and constipation could
be common side effects, along with abdominal pain and cramps.
”Dull skin. Dehydration shows up on your face in the form of
dry, ashy skin that seems less radiant, plump and elastic.Fatigue. If you’re not replenishing your fluid intake,
your energy levels could plummet and you could experience fatigue and brain
fog. So the next time you reach for another cup of coffee, see if it’s water
that you need instead.Weight gain. “Sometimes people mistake thirst for hunger and
they eat more, but really they just need to drink more, “Sometimes if you have a glass of water, the hunger cues will go away.”Dry mouth. If you’re not getting enough water, you can have
dry mucous membranes—i.e., a lack of saliva. This can make it difficult to
talk, swallow, and even breathe. Luckily, this can easily be solved by drinking
water.

An important note: If you have heart failure, less water is better—you don’t want your body
to retain too much fluid, forcing your heart to work harder. Aim for less than
two liters daily from all liquid sources, says Dr. Moghaddam. If you have
questions, talk to your doctor to see what is right for you.For everyone else, while six to eight glasses is
preferred, going to far above and beyond that won’t help you—in fact, drinking
too much water can lead to brain swelling and fluid overload, says Dr.
Moghaddam. Find a happy balance between six to eight glasses daily to stay
healthy