SIGNS OF
DEHYDRATION
6 WARNING SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION
People who work in industrial workplaces are always at risk of dehydration. With constant exposure to high heat and with extensive physical exertion required for their jobs, they face the hazard of losing too much body fluid and electrolytes. If no treatment is provided, simple dehydration may then escalate into a more serious condition.
But how will you know that you are experiencing dehydration? When would you need to rehydrate and replenish your electrolytes? Does feeling thirsty mean you are dehydrated? Well, to answer all these questions, we have compiled 6 warning signs of dehydration that you should watch for:
Heavy Sweating
While sweating normally occurs, especially if you are engaged in a physically intensive job, sweating out a lot of fluid may be a sign that you are getting dehydrated and fast. If this happens, make sure to replenish by drinking water or better yet, an electrolyte-formulated drink.
Dark Urine
You should look both on the regularity of your urination and the colour of your urine. If you haven’t gone to the bathroom for about 2 hours, this means you haven’t drunk any water. Also, if your urine appears darker like apple juice, instead of being pale, you may be dehydrated. However, this is not always the case as vitamin food supplements, alcohol and certain diets may also affect your urine colour. You can check out our hydration guide for a clearer picture of urine colour assessment.
Dry Mouth and Skin
If your mouth feels dry and sticky, this means that you are not drinking enough fluids for the day. Similarly, if your skin seems to be dry and has lost some elasticity, it is a clear sign that you are losing a lot of fluid inside your body. Make sure to rehydrate regularly all throughout the day to avoid these symptoms.
Work Environment Monitoring
In addition to monitoring both the workforce and the work rate, it is also crucial to watch over the work environment. The level of heat and humidity should be kept on check so that adjustments on the workloads and resting periods can be made if necessary. Knowing the workplace environment can also help in creating a hydration policy for the workers.
Headache
When dehydrated and with a dropping blood pressure, your body will have a hard time pumping blood and oxygen to your brain. This will then result into a headache. If this happens, make sure to take a break from what you are doing and rehydrate. Do not force your body to continue working as long as the headache stays to avoid further complications.