How to recognise dehydration: the subtle signs to watch out for

In the Realitatea Medicală edition, Nicole Păcuraru discusses the signs of dehydration that should not be ignored, its causes, and effective methods of prevention and proper hydration.

According to the presenter, dehydration does not occur suddenly, and its signs are often subtle and easy to overlook. Fatigue, a headache, or difficulty concentrating may seem like ordinary things, but in reality they can indicate that the body is not receiving enough water.

One important point highlighted is that the sensation of thirst arises relatively late – meaning that by the time we feel thirsty, the body is already in a fluid deficit.

Additionally, on hot days or during physical exertion, fluid losses increase rapidly, and a person may find themselves, without realising it, in a state of mild dehydration that affects both energy levels and the ability to concentrate.

A simple sign that anyone can check is the colour of their urine: the darker it is, the greater the need to drink water.

The recommended solution is straightforward: fluid intake must be consistent throughout the day, not only when we remember or when we feel thirsty.

As the piece points out, what sometimes appears to be exhaustion is, in fact, simply a lack of water, and a glass drunk at the right moment can completely transform one's general wellbeing.