06 WAYS NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER IS MAKING YOU SICK

1.    Skin Problems

When your body is dehydrated it will slow the blood flow and your skin doesn’t get enough oxygen or nutrients. “The single most important factor in protecting your skin is hydration,” Dr. Elizabeth Hale, spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation and board-certified dermatologist, says. “So drink your eight glasses of water or have soup for lunch, or any fluid-based food.” 

2.    Bad Breath

Saliva has many anti-bacterial properties and studies have shown that licking wounds make scientific sense because it is a natural antiseptic. However, if you don’t have enough liquids in your body that are necessary for it to function properly, then you won’t be producing enough saliva. That can result in a lot of bacteria growing in your mouth, causing bad breath.

3.    High cholesterol

Dehydration during fasting increases lipid concentrations, according to a study. Lack of enough water in your blood will make it too thick, making it harder for the heart to squeeze and push it through the vessels. They get damaged as a result causing cholesterol to accumulate in your arteries.

4.    Your kidneys suffer

When a body doesn’t have enough water it doesn’t get rid of the all the toxins and waste in the system. This can result in kidney problems. “When dehydration occurs there is a shunt of blood away from the gut and kidneys so that the blood will preferentially go to the heart and the brain,” Dr. Chorley says. “With decreased blood to the kidneys, there is less nutrition and oxygen to the kidneys that results in damage.”

5.    Digestive Problems

A major cause of poor digestion is dehydration. Lack of water, calcium and magnesium can cause ulcers, gastritis and acid reflux because the stomach doesn’t have enough H2O to produce digestive acid. Studies have shown that drinking water can help subdue serious symptoms of acid reflux by temporarily raising stomach pH.

6.    Bad Headaches

Headaches, which can sometimes be life-threatening, caused by dehydration are common. Not having enough water in the body means that the brain tissue is losing water, causing it to shrink and pull away from the skull, eventually leading to a headache. Also, the flow of oxygen to the brain is lowered due to low blood volume caused by dehydration. If you’re walking or running and you feel pain in your head, drink water.

 Source: The Active Times