Staying hydrated is essential for our health, but the University of Florida says that three-fourths of Americans don't drink enough water. Dehydration is caused when our bodies lose more fluids than we take in. WebMD explains that we naturally lose fluids daily through everything from the water vapor in our breath to our urine and sweat.
But oftentimes we forget to drink up amid our busy lives and strenuous workouts. The problem is, not getting enough water can cause serious symptoms. For that reason, it's important to understand the signs of dehydration, even at its mildest form, so that you can keep your body — which is 60 percent water — running smoothly.
The symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration, according to the Mayo Clinic, are:
- Dry, sticky-feeling mouth
- Sleepiness or tiredness — children less active than usual- Thirst
- Reduced urine output
- In infants, no wet diapers for three hours
- Few or no tears when crying
- Dry skin
- Headache
- Constipation
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
