Early signs of dehydration and prevention

With the warmer months on the horizon, it’s important to be mindful of our thirst cues to avoid serious dehydration. But did you know that there are also early signs of dehydration?

Here are some of the early signs to watch for:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Depression
• Cravings
• Cramps
• Headaches

To prevent dehydration, of course, drink pure, filtered water. There are many schools of thought on how much water to drink in a day, and your needs will vary based on the amount of exercise you do, how much coffee/tea you drink, and any health conditions that affect water intake.

One rule of thumb for how many ounces of water you should drink in a day is to divide your body weight by 2. Add 12-16 ounces for each 8-ounce serving of a diuretic beverage (such as coffee, tea, alcohol or soda). You should make sure to get electrolytes, by taking in unrefined sea salt or purchasing electrolyte water.

As always, check with your doctor, as some medical conditions, such as pregnancy or kidney disease, have different rules for fluid intake.