Stress and Dehydration Interdependence

Stress Caused by Dehydration and Dehydration Caused by Stress

You might know a lot about stress but the fact that stress causes dehydration of the body and dehydration can cause stress is known by few. It’s really paradoxical but whatever the cause of dehydration is it can cause stress and whatever causes of stress are they can lead to dehydration.

Human bodies are about 2/3 water but many people are dehydrated without knowing it. A mild dehydration is being considered a 3-5% of fluid loss while a severe dehydration is being considered a 10% or more of fluid loss. While mild dehydration may go unnoticed and it’s more likely to occur due intense exercise, in heat, after diarrhoea or after vomiting, after drinking too much alcohol or as a result of food poisoning, severe dehydration may have dramatic symptoms and can even end with death.

Sometimes when you feel anxious or going through stressful situations just drink a glass of water. That would be a great help for you body.

Adrenal Glands and Dehydration

Dehydration can be a sign of adrenal fatigue. Drinking more water may not be the solution for keeping you well hydrated. Some of the common symptoms of adrenal fatigue include: cravings for salt in food, for sugar, feeling dehydrated and thirsty, difficulties in falling asleep at night, difficulty relaxing and general exhaustion. But what adrenals have to do with the water in your body? Adrenals are 2 small glands that sit on top of the kidneys and along with thyroid create energy secreting at the same time important hormones including aldosterone. It’s a hormone that regulates water levels and the concentration of minerals, helping us staying hydrated. BUT. Adrenals are also the glands responsible for regulating our stress response. When we experience stress, more aldosterone and sodium circulate in our bodies. When the stress is over, aldosterone levels falls and sodium must leave the bloodstream. It has to pass through kidneys and exit as urine taking water with it.

So, if you experience high levels of stress you will weaken adrenal glands dehydrating your body and even if you drink a lot of water you may not be able to get the hydration you need.

What Can You Do in Order to Rehydrate Your Body and Avoid Adrenal Fatigue?

Improve your hydration day by day. Drink before you’re thirsty and when you’re thirsty sip water slowly and in small quantities.

Drink only small quantities of water with your food although you will dilute gastric juice that digests your food.

Avoid coffee or drink it in small quantities.

Avoid sodas and alcohol.

Before and after exercise, make sure you’re hydrated.

Get a good night sleep. It may be the key in managing with stress and stressful situations. A good sleep nourishes the adrenals allowing the body to restore.

Get adequate amounts of water and watch your stress levels. Both are interrelated.

Notice that the quality of water is as important as the amount of water you drink.

If you’re drinking a lot of water and don’t feel hydrated and have also other symptoms of adrenal fatigue consult to a physician then start nourishing your adrenals following doctor’s recommendations and our simple tips.

Comments

comments