Why am I dehydrated?
April 7, 2013 10:07 AM Subscribe
The last few years it seems I've had to drink more water to stay hydrated; I drink, on average, 3.5 liters a day (0.92 gallons), more if I exercise, and still I'll wake up with a mild headache and mild nausea from dehydration about two days a week.
I've tried to look up what a normal level of water intake is; the general advice seems to be "drink when you're thirsty", with a large variation in recommendations, but typically between 1 and 3 liters a day. So why am I dehydrated?
I don't live in a hot climate, I'm not taking any medication, I hardly ever drink anything else than water, and my fasting blood sugar is in the (upper) normal range. Any ideas?
I've tried to look up what a normal level of water intake is; the general advice seems to be "drink when you're thirsty", with a large variation in recommendations, but typically between 1 and 3 liters a day. So why am I dehydrated?
I don't live in a hot climate, I'm not taking any medication, I hardly ever drink anything else than water, and my fasting blood sugar is in the (upper) normal range. Any ideas?
If you're drinking that much and you aren't suffering from diarrhea then it's pretty unlikely your problem is dehydration.
posted by Sternmeyer at 10:12 AM on April 7, 2013
posted by Sternmeyer at 10:12 AM on April 7, 2013
Are you sure that it's dehydration and not an issue with salt or electrolytes?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:13 AM on April 7, 2013
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:13 AM on April 7, 2013
If you're waking up with a mild headache and mild nausea two days a week, you should probably talk to a doctor, period.
posted by jetlagaddict at 10:16 AM on April 7, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by jetlagaddict at 10:16 AM on April 7, 2013 [9 favorites]
You're most likely not dehydrated; if your symptoms are only mild headache and nausea it's more likely an electrolyte issue if not something else. Definitely something to see a doctor about.
What follows is in no way a replacement for a doctor's visit. IANAD.
Urine concentration (color? dark, light yellow, some other color) is a good way to detect your hydration status.
Another quick/non-invasive way: pull the skin on the back of your hand. Does it snap back, or does it tent for a while? If it snaps back, you're hydrated. Hang your hands down at your sides. Do the veins fill in quickly? Then you're well hydrated.
posted by RainyJay at 10:19 AM on April 7, 2013
What follows is in no way a replacement for a doctor's visit. IANAD.
Urine concentration (color? dark, light yellow, some other color) is a good way to detect your hydration status.
Another quick/non-invasive way: pull the skin on the back of your hand. Does it snap back, or does it tent for a while? If it snaps back, you're hydrated. Hang your hands down at your sides. Do the veins fill in quickly? Then you're well hydrated.
posted by RainyJay at 10:19 AM on April 7, 2013
Constantly needing to drink water is one of the signs you may have diabetes. I was quite surprised when I got that diagnosis...
posted by almostwitty at 10:23 AM on April 7, 2013 [16 favorites]
posted by almostwitty at 10:23 AM on April 7, 2013 [16 favorites]
I am not a medical professional, but that seems like a lot of water. And almostwitty is right, excessive thirst is a sign of diabetes. It sounds like you should go see a doctor.
posted by radioamy at 11:11 AM on April 7, 2013
posted by radioamy at 11:11 AM on April 7, 2013
Response by poster: How did you conclude that the symptoms are from dehydration?
Well, they usually appear when I drink less water than average and they feel exactly like the dehydration symptoms I get from a mild hangover. And it's often accompanied by dry mouth and concentrated urine. But I could be wrong.
Are you sure that it's dehydration and not an issue with salt or electrolytes?
I found a page on electrolyte imbalance that says "When electrolyte levels become imbalanced, you can experience a range of symptoms ranging from headaches and nausea to confusion and dehydration", so I'm not sure how I'd tell the difference, especially as Wikipedia states that hypernatremia [elevated sodium level] is often synonymous with the less precise term, dehydration. But I think I maintain a healthy diet (even if I, like most people, eat more salt than the recommended one teaspoon a day).
Constantly needing to drink water is one of the signs you may have diabetes.
That's why I had my fasting blood sugar tested twice, and both times it was in the (upper) normal range. From what I've read, fasting blood sugar isn't always the most reliable test, but it makes it more unlikely that diabetes is the cause.
posted by martinrebas at 11:19 AM on April 7, 2013
Well, they usually appear when I drink less water than average and they feel exactly like the dehydration symptoms I get from a mild hangover. And it's often accompanied by dry mouth and concentrated urine. But I could be wrong.
Are you sure that it's dehydration and not an issue with salt or electrolytes?
I found a page on electrolyte imbalance that says "When electrolyte levels become imbalanced, you can experience a range of symptoms ranging from headaches and nausea to confusion and dehydration", so I'm not sure how I'd tell the difference, especially as Wikipedia states that hypernatremia [elevated sodium level] is often synonymous with the less precise term, dehydration. But I think I maintain a healthy diet (even if I, like most people, eat more salt than the recommended one teaspoon a day).
Constantly needing to drink water is one of the signs you may have diabetes.
That's why I had my fasting blood sugar tested twice, and both times it was in the (upper) normal range. From what I've read, fasting blood sugar isn't always the most reliable test, but it makes it more unlikely that diabetes is the cause.
posted by martinrebas at 11:19 AM on April 7, 2013
Maybe a longshot, but do you snore? I do, and if I sleep through the night without waking up and drinking some water, I feel exactly the same way. The constant snoring dries out my mouth and leaves me feeling dehydrated. (And yes, I'm working on the snoring
).
posted by DrGirlfriend at 11:24 AM on April 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
).
posted by DrGirlfriend at 11:24 AM on April 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
Try running a humidifier in your room at night. I wake up feeling very thirsty and headachy as I snore rather heavily and the humidifier helps with that.
I would very seriously consider going to see your doctor though and mentioning this symptom, my mums stories of how she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (and this was almost 50 years ago now) started with her saying that she was thirsty and felt dehydrated all the time. A lot really depends on if you are peeing a often or a lot when you do pee I would increase the emphasis on really getting that eliminated as a possibilities.
If you are female it can be a sign of pregnancy, but checking your profile you are probably safe on that count.
Are you taking any drugs/medications that can often be a side effect.
posted by wwax at 11:41 AM on April 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
I would very seriously consider going to see your doctor though and mentioning this symptom, my mums stories of how she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (and this was almost 50 years ago now) started with her saying that she was thirsty and felt dehydrated all the time. A lot really depends on if you are peeing a often or a lot when you do pee I would increase the emphasis on really getting that eliminated as a possibilities.
If you are female it can be a sign of pregnancy, but checking your profile you are probably safe on that count.
Are you taking any drugs/medications that can often be a side effect.
posted by wwax at 11:41 AM on April 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
Unfortunately, headache and nausea are to medicine what the "check engine light" is to car repair: they just say "hey, something's up," and the something could be pretty much anything from stress to all the awful things I will not list here and recommend you do not fill your head with.
I'd tell my doctor and ask to make sure they do a really complete blood panel & physical examination, personally. The easiest way to tell if it's "electrolytes," in the absence of actual medical advice, is to switch in some electrolyte replacement stuff (Pedialyte, Gatorade, etc.) for the water and see if that helps. You really shouldn't have an electrolyte-ish issue if your urine is dark (last I heard, it was something you'd typically expect in cases of sweating, puking, diarrhea, and extreme excess water consumption,) and a CBC will show you your sodium levels and so forth.
My guess, BTW, is that the answer has very little to do with not drinking enough water. I certainly don't think you should make yourself drink more water without talking to a medical professional.
posted by SMPA at 11:58 AM on April 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'd tell my doctor and ask to make sure they do a really complete blood panel & physical examination, personally. The easiest way to tell if it's "electrolytes," in the absence of actual medical advice, is to switch in some electrolyte replacement stuff (Pedialyte, Gatorade, etc.) for the water and see if that helps. You really shouldn't have an electrolyte-ish issue if your urine is dark (last I heard, it was something you'd typically expect in cases of sweating, puking, diarrhea, and extreme excess water consumption,) and a CBC will show you your sodium levels and so forth.
My guess, BTW, is that the answer has very little to do with not drinking enough water. I certainly don't think you should make yourself drink more water without talking to a medical professional.
posted by SMPA at 11:58 AM on April 7, 2013 [2 favorites]
That's why I had my fasting blood sugar tested twice, and both times it was in the (upper) normal range. From what I've read, fasting blood sugar isn't always the most reliable test, but it makes it more unlikely that diabetes is the cause.
Fasting blood sugar will determine if you have classic diabetes, but people with insulin resistance or pre-diabetes will trend toward normal fasting levels, but spike really high after meals. (As it gets worse, the body is less and less able to get the blood sugar down during fasting and that's when you start seeing elevated fasting glucose levels.) Thirst is one of the ways the body tries to get the blood sugar level back to normal. The kidneys (I believe) get annoyed when the blood sugar level gets around 140 and start trying to get the level down by increasing the rate of urine production, which makes you feel dehydrated and thirsty. You aren't clinically dehydrated (with the mushy skin and dark urine), but you are a sort of dehydrated because the kidneys are using up all your water, and while you are replacing it, your body still gives you signs of dehydration.
If you eat and get tired, sweaty or "fluttery" afterwards, and if you then feel a crash hours after eating where you might have mood swings, the jitters and tiredness, you might have this problem. Especially if you are overweight in the abdominal area.
The way to fix this is to eat smaller meals more often, never eat before bed and watch out for foods with high glycemic indexes. Also, plenty of protein and fiber to keep the digestive system running as evenly as possible.
Other things to consider: yes, humidity. Dry air makes your sinuses angry and makes you feel dehydrated, and sometimes uses up excess water to keep them moist.
Also, monosodium glutamate. I know some people think it's woo-woo, but I have absolutely and blindly confirmed that I have a sensitivity to it. (A certain food I eat added it, and I noticed symptoms without knowing the ingredient was there.) Hangover type headaches that last for days, thirst and a general yuck feeling are what happen to me. What is tricky in my case is that it's not necessarily an instantaneous reaction like other sensitivities. It can take a day for the signs to hit sometimes.
posted by gjc at 12:01 PM on April 7, 2013 [4 favorites]
Fasting blood sugar will determine if you have classic diabetes, but people with insulin resistance or pre-diabetes will trend toward normal fasting levels, but spike really high after meals. (As it gets worse, the body is less and less able to get the blood sugar down during fasting and that's when you start seeing elevated fasting glucose levels.) Thirst is one of the ways the body tries to get the blood sugar level back to normal. The kidneys (I believe) get annoyed when the blood sugar level gets around 140 and start trying to get the level down by increasing the rate of urine production, which makes you feel dehydrated and thirsty. You aren't clinically dehydrated (with the mushy skin and dark urine), but you are a sort of dehydrated because the kidneys are using up all your water, and while you are replacing it, your body still gives you signs of dehydration.
If you eat and get tired, sweaty or "fluttery" afterwards, and if you then feel a crash hours after eating where you might have mood swings, the jitters and tiredness, you might have this problem. Especially if you are overweight in the abdominal area.
The way to fix this is to eat smaller meals more often, never eat before bed and watch out for foods with high glycemic indexes. Also, plenty of protein and fiber to keep the digestive system running as evenly as possible.
Other things to consider: yes, humidity. Dry air makes your sinuses angry and makes you feel dehydrated, and sometimes uses up excess water to keep them moist.
Also, monosodium glutamate. I know some people think it's woo-woo, but I have absolutely and blindly confirmed that I have a sensitivity to it. (A certain food I eat added it, and I noticed symptoms without knowing the ingredient was there.) Hangover type headaches that last for days, thirst and a general yuck feeling are what happen to me. What is tricky in my case is that it's not necessarily an instantaneous reaction like other sensitivities. It can take a day for the signs to hit sometimes.
posted by gjc at 12:01 PM on April 7, 2013 [4 favorites]
so I'm not sure how I'd tell the difference
You need to go to a doctor to get a full workup. He or she can check your electrolytes and perform or prescribe other tests to try to figure this out. Chronic headaches and nausea are not normal. Electrolyte imbalances can be deadly. Not saying that's what this is, but should definitely be checked out.
posted by brevator at 12:02 PM on April 7, 2013
You need to go to a doctor to get a full workup. He or she can check your electrolytes and perform or prescribe other tests to try to figure this out. Chronic headaches and nausea are not normal. Electrolyte imbalances can be deadly. Not saying that's what this is, but should definitely be checked out.
posted by brevator at 12:02 PM on April 7, 2013
Response by poster: If you eat and get tired, sweaty or "fluttery" afterwards, and if you then feel a crash hours after eating where you might have mood swings, the jitters and tiredness, you might have this problem. Especially if you are overweight in the abdominal area.
I'm not overweight and subjectively, my blood sugar levels seem very stable. But I'll do a two hour glucose tolerance test just in case.
posted by martinrebas at 1:17 PM on April 7, 2013
I'm not overweight and subjectively, my blood sugar levels seem very stable. But I'll do a two hour glucose tolerance test just in case.
posted by martinrebas at 1:17 PM on April 7, 2013
Has this been going on for more than a few days? Make an appointment with your Primary and be prepared to have some blood drawn. There's no way to tell what's going on right now, but it sounds like you're electrolytes are imbalanced. You might try drinking a liter of Gatorade 2, or mixing up some homebrew rehydration fluid.
(IANAD, but I do live in the desert and work at an infusion facility.)
posted by endotoxin at 4:58 PM on April 7, 2013
(IANAD, but I do live in the desert and work at an infusion facility.)
posted by endotoxin at 4:58 PM on April 7, 2013
As mentioned above, I'd see a doctor and.be ready for a blood draw. There are a few things your doctor will want to see out of the blood numbers.
posted by azpenguin at 8:05 PM on April 7, 2013
posted by azpenguin at 8:05 PM on April 7, 2013
I quit feeling so dehydrated all the time after my doctor prescribed a potassium supplement. I no longer get that awful unquenchable thirst. It returns if I forget to refill my pillbox and skip the supplement for a week.
(Note that, at least in the US, non-prescription potassium supplements are limited to such a low dose that they are useless. Compare the amount in a pill to the recommended daily intake of 4700 milligrams. There are many high-potassium foods, though, not just bananas, as many people think.)
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 6:30 AM on April 8, 2013
(Note that, at least in the US, non-prescription potassium supplements are limited to such a low dose that they are useless. Compare the amount in a pill to the recommended daily intake of 4700 milligrams. There are many high-potassium foods, though, not just bananas, as many people think.)
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 6:30 AM on April 8, 2013
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posted by Brockles at 10:09 AM on April 7, 2013 [5 favorites]