Dehydration is more common than you may think. Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much fluid without having it replenished, but many people think that you only get dehydrated when you're extremely thirsty and are exercising for a long period of time or stuck out in the Desert with miles and miles of sand between you and the nearest oasis.
Many people who do exercise don't drink enough water during their work out, and since they lose fluid through perspiration they can end up being dehydrated. The same is true when you are hiking. People can also become dehydrated through the course of their daily lives because they're not drinking enough water. Even when you are ndoors and at home, you must continue to be hydrated.
Often dehydration happens gradually, and we'll hardly notice it until at one point during the day we begin to feel extremely thirsty. If this happens to you, it's a good indicator that you've already been dehydrated for a while, since if you feel thirsty it's a definite sign of dehydration.
Thirst isn't the only side-effect; dehydration will leave people feeling lethargic, sickly, or even faint. Though you may be drinking caffeinated beverages or drinks with high sugar content they aren't very good at hydrating you, and diuretics like coffee can even leave you even more dehydrated.
The best way to avoid dehydration, both in times of illness and in day to day life, is to make sure that you're drinking enough water. It may seem very basic, but making a conscious effort to drink plenty of water over the course of the day can have great effects on your energy levels and your overall well-being. It's usually as simple as carrying around a water bottle or keeping a glass of water filled on your counter at home or office, since if the water is there in front of you, you're more likely to drink before you get dehydrated.
As we get older it becomes more important to stay hydrated with the right type of water - water that helps minimize the effects of acid, helps flush toxins from your cells and easily hydrates your body - hydrogen enriched water. Equally important we should also have great tasting water with antioxidant properties and proper pH levels.
If you're going to drink water, doesn't it make sense to drink water that works vs. water that doesn't.
Natalie Angrisani represents Vollara, a Texas-based leader in green technology with LivingWater and H2Fuel for healthier hydration at home and on the go. Visit: http://NatalieZAngrisani.com for more information about how Easy It Is To Be Green and other Eco-Friendly products.