Six signs you're not drinking enough water 

From headaches to fatigue and dizziness, a GP explains how dehydration can quietly affect your health during winter

Headaches are a common sign of dehydration. FIle picture

During the chilly wintry months, most of us have a tendency to wrap up warm, crank up the heating and reach for hot drinks rather than guzzling glasses of water.

However, it’s important to remember that your body still needs consistent hydration to function at its best and has subtle ways of sounding alarm bells.

Here are six signs that might indicate that your body is craving more H2O this winter…

1. Dry mouth

“The most obvious sign of dehydration is thirst, which is often accompanied by a dry mouth, lips or tongue,” says GP Michael Zemenides.

2. Dark urine

“A dark yellow or strong smelling urine is another indicator which usually means that the patient is peeing less often than usual,” notes Zemenides.

3. Dizziness

“Dehydration can cause nausea, dizziness and lightheadedness,” Zemenides says. “If you’re dehydrated, your blood pressure will drop [and cause dizziness]. Also, in extreme cases, dehydration can lead to confusion, which will make you feel even more dizzy and unsteady on your feet.”

4. Headaches

“If you’re dehydrated, you’ve got less water in your circulation system going around your body which means there’s less fluid around the brain itself, and that can impede how it
functions and cause headaches,” explains the GP.

5. Fatigue

“If you don’t drink enough water, you might begin to notice that your energy levels are affected and that you feel fatigued and tired,” says Zemenides. “It can also impact your concentration and how sharp you are feeling.”

6. Constipation

“Water is quite key in how you digest [food] and the actual process of moving things through the bowel itself,” says Zemenides. “So, if everything’s quite lubricated and moving smoothly, then you’re less likely to get constipated.”

How much water should you drink every day?

It’s recommended that you consume about six to eight cups or glasses of fluid per day, “assuming that you’re getting about 20% of your intake from eating food,” says Zemenides. “However, this water intake requirement will increase with things like exercises, if you’re in a hot environment or if you’re ill, for example.”

Drinking a full glass of water is a good way to start the day. Picture: iStock

Why is staying hydrated so important? What issues can dehydration lead to?

“Water is essential for human life and is involved in every biochemical reaction in the body,” highlights Zemenides.

“It plays a pivotal role in regulating our temperature, maintaining our blood pressure, helps supports your kidney function, and helps aid digestion.”

Therefore, being dehydrated can have a big impact on your body.

“Dehydration can become more serious over time and can increase your risk of urinary tract infections and kidney problems, and lead to confusion, which can result in an increased number of falls,” warns Zemenides.

“In severe cases, you can experience a rapid heart rate, breathing difficulties or even collapse.”

When should you seek medical advice about this?

“If you’ve got dark urine, you can probably manage that yourself. However, if you’re experiencing those later, and more serious, symptoms, like palpitations, that sensation where you’re feeling unsteady on your feet, headaches or you’re just feeling unwell, then you should be seeking advice from your GP,” advises Zemenides.

Tips on how to increase your water intake this winter “Drinking a full glass of water is a good way to start the day,” says Zemenides.

He also recommends small, regular sips throughout the day.

“Often people wait until they feel thirsty before having a drink, but I would recommend drinking little and often, whether you feel thirsty or not,” advises Zemenides.

“Having a refillable bottle nearby at all times can help with this.”

Oral rehydration solution can also help treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea and vomiting.

“You can get oral rehydration solutions over the counter in a pharmacy, which can help replace lost fluids and electrolytes,” says Zemenides.

In addition, the GP highlights how a significant portion of our daily fluid intake comes not just from hot and cold drinks, but also from the food we eat, which helps considerably with overall hydration.

“Think about those water-rich foods, like fruits or vegetables and soups to keep some variety,” says Zemenides.