We have already fully entered the hot season, so we must be especially careful with our hydration so that our body continues to function properly. It is very normal to receive advice that we should drink water or eat foods that contain large amounts of it, but are you aware of what your dehydration problem is?
It is possible that you have never stopped to think about what causes you to have low water levels in your body, so today we discover 12 possible causes that you have never come across.
The menstruation
It is not a symptom that is accentuated when we are in hot weather, menstruation affects the hydration of the body due to estrogen and progesterone. It is true that the rule does not affect all women equally, some last less than four days and others almost a week, so dehydration also affects differently.
It is convenient that in addition to this cause, you drink water to reduce fluid retention that is generated during this phase of the menstrual cycle.
I leave you here the article on how you can take advantage of the phases of your cycle to get the most out of your training.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
When women are pregnant, blood flow increases, causing a greater demand for fluids. In addition, it is very common for many pregnant women to vomit, favoring dehydration without realizing it. It is very important to drink a lot of water during the 9 months of pregnancy in order to create a healthy life and stay in perfect condition.
Likewise, during lactation, water is also lost with milk. It is even possible that you have low hydration if you notice that it is too difficult for you to produce milk.
the medicines
Medications can directly influence the excessive elimination of water through the urine, such as diuretics. It is very common for it to occur when taking medicines for hypertension or in acne treatments.
Diabetes
If you are diabetic you should be aware that you are at greater risk of dehydration. With high blood sugar levels, your body will try to get rid of the excess glucose by producing more urine. It is very normal to feel like going to the bathroom several times, so keep an eye on your water bottle to replenish fluids.
irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel disease is a chronic digestive disease that usually affects a large part of the population. You may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or even constipation. Of course, this leads to significant dehydration. Always stay well hydrated, both for drinks and food.
Practice physical exercise
Perhaps it is the most obvious reason and with which many of us identify. When exercising, we favor the production of sweat and lose fluid, especially in hot weather. It is very important that you hydrate before, during and after training.
Low carbohydrate diets
Carbohydrates are stored in the body along with fluids. When we stop consuming them or do it in a poor way, surely we also have water losses. It can be motivating against the numbers on the scale, but it doesn't have to be healthy.
dietary supplements
You must be especially careful with herbs, spices or dietary supplements that have diuretic effects. Watercress, parsley or celery seeds tend to encourage us to urinate more frequently.
Stress
It is difficult to reduce or eliminate stress in its entirety, we know. What happens when we get stressed is that we release adrenaline and cortisol, hormones that can end up getting out of control if we don't stop the stress.
Adrenaline is linked to the production of aldosterone (a hormone that balances fluid and electrolyte levels). When we don't have enough adrenaline to handle stress, aldosterone production decreases and dehydration increases.
Alcoholic beverages
It is not the first time that we tell you that alcohol is a substance that dehydrates the body. It is recommended not to consume it, but if you do, it is better that you drink water between glasses (even if it is wine).
Surely you have noticed that when you drink alcohol, you feel more like going to the bathroom. This is because alcohol inhibits an antidiuretic hormone that normally sends some of the fluid we drink back into the body, instead of sending it to the bladder.
Instead, when we consume alcoholic beverages, the cells contract and the water levels in the bladder increase. That is, you go to pee more times and you end up dehydrated sooner.
The altitude
It will surprise you to know that the higher we are, the more water we need. Being in areas of higher altitude, our body struggles to acclimatize and breathing increases. They are natural processes that increase urine levels and, therefore, decrease body hydration.