Dehydration happens when you don’t take in enough fluids. It can affect how your body functions. In severe cases, it can also affect your mental and emotional health, causing feelings of stress and anxiety.
Read on to learn more about the effects of dehydration and what you can do to prevent it.
Symptoms of dehydration
When you think of dehydration, the first symptom that may come to mind is thirst. However, thirst isn’t the best early indicator of your body’s need for fluids. In fact, by the time you start to feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated.
Dehydration symptoms vary by age. Common symptoms for children include:
- Irritability
- No tears when crying
- No wet diapers for 3 hours or more
- Dry mouth
- Sunken eyes and cheeks
Symptoms commonly seen in adults include:
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Extreme thirst
- Less frequent urination
- Dark-colored urine
Can dehydration cause anxiety?
A 2009 study at Tufts University found that inadequate hydration can negatively affect mood.
In the study, researchers looked at the effects of mild dehydration on college athletes doing intense aerobic activity. Results showed that active college athletes were more likely to experience fatigue, confusion, tension, and anger than those who were fully hydrated and engaging in similar activities.
Additionally, dehydration stresses the body, lowering blood pressure and making your heart beat faster. It can make you feel dizzy and lightheaded, which may mimic symptoms of anxiety.
If you start to feel anxious or experience other mood changes, try drinking water. If that doesn’t help, you may want to explore other causes.