Ray is one of the sharpest teens in his school. His peers and seniors look upon him. Even his teachers admire him for being good at everything from academics to extra-curricular. But recently, Ray was admitted to the hospital for severe stomach pain. His parents were told by the doctor that Ray had liver issues due to dehydration. This isn’t just one case. Research suggests that one of the main causes of several diseases is dehydration and unfortunately, most children and adults are found to have faced dehydration. What could be the reasons?
Causes of dehydration
- Busy schedules
The race of life keeps us all busy. We start our day and keep going on and on and on. Although we get busy with external affairs like studies and work, we fail to consider our well-being.
- Lack of knowledge of body dynamics
While there are people who try to get healthy by eating well, some of us forget the role of water. Water is a catalyst for many body functions, from helping us improve our metabolism to removing harmful toxins.
- Lethargy
Some of us are too lazy to take that glass of water or even a sip when the bottle is near us.
- CKD
People with chronic kidney disease(CKD) have restrictions on their water intake, which could also lead to dehydration.
- Diarrhoea or IBS
Changes in bowel patterns due to Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) or Diarrhoea also cause loss of fluids from the body and lead to dehydration.
Signs of dehydration
Look out for these symptoms of dehydration:
- Dry/Cracked Lips
- Dry and Patchy Skin
- Dark Yellowish/Light Reddish Urine
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Joint Pain
- Cramps
- Lack of Energy
- Irritated Mood
- Headaches/Dizziness
- Eye strain/Blurred Vision
Dehydration can affect every body organ and cause severe consequences, if untreated.
How to Prevent Dehydration?
Dehydration is not a disease but a factor in many diseases and you can prevent dehydration in simple ways.
- Mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness and meditation allow you to analyze everything that surrounds you; from your body and mind to other external factors. By regularly turning within, you can better understand your body’s requirements and benefits of hydration.
- Follow a water routine
A water routine is knowing when to drink water throughout the day. With regular practice, your body will be conditioned to demand water at regular intervals.
- Involve other people
Make a checklist at work/school that involves talking about how many glasses of water your peers have had till that time. This way, you can take care of your hydration and others’ as well.
- Don’t ignore the signals
Sometimes we do not pay heed to the signals of our body. A stomach ache, feeling thirsty often, blurred vision, feeling drained, etc., must not be ignored as they are major signs of dehydration.
“The mind is like a mirror, whatever comes in front of it is reflected in it.”
-Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
While there are many steps you can follow to increase your water intake, being conscious of your body’s requirements is of utmost importance. Sudarshan Kriya brings a deep sense of awareness and improves your attention to details within you and without.
