What Happens To Your Body If You Don't Drink Water?

We've all heard the term "dehydrated", but what does it really mean?

Dehydration is losing more water than your taking in. When this happens, your body struggles to do the basic functions it needs to stay alive, like regulating your temperature and clearing out waste.

Dehydration can happen by losing water through sweat and tears. More than half of your body weight comes from water, so if your levels are off, it can show up in some significant ways.

Mild dehydration can make you feel fatigued, cause headaches, affect your mood and even your focus. If you exert yourself too much, all of the sweat you loose can even lower how much blood you have.

Feeling thirsty? Don't worry! When your thirst kicks in, your body is already mildly dehydrated. This is your body's way of getting your attention that it needs more water. Pay attention to the signs and try to make drinking enough water a habit on a daily basis.

If you are sick, water is even more important. You can lose up to a gallon of water a day if you have diarrhea or vomiting. Young children can dehydrate faster because they are smaller. Older adults need to pay attention because your senses dull with age. Certain health conditions such as kidney disease can make you feel parched and pregnant and breast-feeding mothers should drink more water as well.