6 Unusual Signs of Dehydration You Should Know About

Every living creature needs water to survive. And sweating, peeing, vomiting, and diarrhea all militate against optimal fluid levels, says MedlinePlus, even to the point of threatening survival.

The feeling of thirst is the result of a complex physiological process, research shows, intended as a warning that you're dehydrated, and in danger of not functioning properly.

According to MedlinePlus, dehydration doesn’t just mean your body is losing water — it also means you're losing electrolytes, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium, all of which you need to breathe, move, talk, and generally stay up and running.

As MedlinePlus points out, certain health conditions, including diabetes, can put you at an increased risk of dehydration. If you’ve been sweating too much because of the heat or overexertion, urinating frequently, or throwing up or having diarrhea because of the flu or another acute illness, it’s especially important to pay attention to replenishing your water reserves.

People who are especially vulnerable to dehydration include those who are unable to quench their thirst because of disability or disease, athletes, and those who are simply too young or too old to replace lost fluids on their own, according to NHS Inform. Men who are middle-aged or elderly may be at particular risk of complications from dehydration, according to a small study published in the Journal of Physiology in November 2020. (The study did not involve women.) The researchers found that over time, the body becomes worse at detecting markers of dehydration (such as high levels of salt in the blood), and without these signals, older adults may not realize they are dehydrated or drink fluids to rehydrate. Untreated dehydration can cause the heart rate to increase, straining your ticker.