Chronic Dehydration: A Brief Overview of the Symptoms

Most individuals are familiar with the concept of dehydration. However, the concept of chronic dehydration is familiar to quite a number of individuals. This lurking condition, often undiagnosed, does not have quite the fame of severe hydration caused by loss of fluids or extreme weather.

Chronic dehydration occurs in people with inadequate intake of hydrating fluids. Unlike typical hydration, chronic dehydration is long lasting or recurring (5). A number of complications can be caused by chronic dehydration. Constipation, kidney stones, disruption in lymph flow, and otherwise unexplained pain are just a few of the potential complications of chronic dehydration. Gradually increasing water intake is one method of treating chronic dehydration (3).

Some estimates state that about 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, but most of the cases are undiagnosed (3). Here are some of the symptoms of chronic dehydration.

Normal urine is clear or very lightly colored. Darker urine may be an indication of chronic dehydration. The darker color is present because the kidneys are having to work harder to concentrate the urine (3).

Fatigue and loss of energy often occur with chronic dehydration because the activities of the enzymes within the body's cells will begin to slow down (3).

Constipation is caused because the walls of the colon absorb more water than usual from the stools. Too much fluid is absorbed because the rest of the body needs fluid (3).

High or low blood pressure can be caused because the blood volume (lessened from small water intake) cannot fill the entire circulatory system (3).

Eczema can be a sign of chronic dehydration. The body needs to sweat to dilute toxins that would otherwise irritate the skin, but the body cannot sweat properly while dehydrated (3).

Hunger and weight gain can be symptoms of chronic dehydration because the body may crave foods that are rich is water (2).

Allergies can be a strange symptom of chronic dehydration. When the body is dehydrated, it releases histamine, and elevated histamine can lead to allergies (2).

Heartburn and indigestion can also be caused by chronic dehydration. Digestive complications are mostly caused because the water-based digestive substances suffer from lack of fluids (2).

Depression and feelings of anxiety may occur in some cases of chronic dehydration (4).

Pain can be a symptom of chronic dehydration. Areas of the body that are not getting enough fluids may experience pain, which is known as a "localized thirst" (1).

These are some of the more common symptoms of chronic dehydration. This is a serious medical condition which requires prompt care for individuals suspected of having this condition.

1. Candida-Cure-Recipes.com. "Symptoms of Dehydration." http://www.candida-cure-recipes.com/symptoms-of-dehydration.html

2. Care2.com. "13 Symptoms of Chronic Dehydration." 2009. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/13-symptoms-of-chronic-dehydration.htm

3. CauseOf.org. "Dehydration." http://www.causeof.org/dehydrate.htm#WhatIs

4. Foltz, Brian D. and Joe Ferrara, PhD. "Dehydration's Hidden Symptoms." The Chiropractic Journal. July 2006. http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2006/jul/d.htm

5. MedicineNet.com. "Dehydration." 2009. http://www.medicinenet.com/dehydration/article.htm