Dehydration is often undiagnosed. Water is an absolutely crucial element of the body composition, did you know that blood is made up of 92% water, bones are made up of 22% water and the muscles are 75% water.

When our bodies are in a state of dehydration, certain body functions start to slow down and/or even shut down to conserve water. Often we only drink water when we are thirsty, but sadly by the time you are thirsty you are in fact already dehydrated.

Signs of dehydration

Here are 10 ways in which a lack of water and dehydration can affect the body’s systems:

1. Fatigue

Water is one of the most vital sources of energy in the body. When there is a lack of hydration the enzyme activity in the body slows down causing tiredness and fatigue.

2. High Blood Pressure

The blood is composed of 92% water when at fully hydrated levels, when dehydrated the blood is thicker, resulting in slower blood flow and an elevated blood pressure.

3. Asthma and Allergies

When dehydrated your airways constrict airflow as a means to conserve water and the rate of histamine in the body increases, resulting in susceptibility to asthma and allergies.

4. Skin Disorders

Dehydration impairs the toxin elimination processes and makes the skin far more sensitive and susceptible to allergies. These include dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and eventually results in premature ageing.

5. High Cholesterol

When the body is dehydrated it is known to produce more cholesterol to conserve water and prevent water loss from the skin cells.

6. Bladder and Kidney problems

With a dehydrated body and as a result the accumulation of toxins, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive and results in bladder or kidney infection, inflammation and/or pain.

Unknown symtoms of dehydration

7. Constipation

When we are dehydrated the first place the body draws water from is the colon in order to have fluid for more critical bodily functions, this results in a lack of water for the intestines and it’s elimination processes. The result of a lack of water in the colon is constipation.

8. Joint Pain and Stiffness

All joints have bursa or cartilage padding, this padding is made up of a majority of water. When dehydrated the joints become withered and dry resulting in pain and discomfort.

9. Weight Gain

Yes, you heard us right! When the body is dehydrated it cannot eliminate toxins effectively and thus it stores them in the fat cells. Therefore the body as a result will not release any toxins and/or fat to be eliminated via the circulation unless the body is sufficiently hydrated.

10. Premature Ageing

Because when we are chronically dehydrated the body and it’s organs, including the largest organ … the skin begins to wrinkle, wither and age visibly.

In conclusion, water is a vital constituent of all bodily functions, for a balanced and healthy life. Therefore, always ensure you are checked out by a health care practitioner who can assist you with adjusting any lifestyle changes, monitor your body’s functions and processes and assist with reversing any of the above symptoms.