Experts Explain Why You’re Still Dehydrated After Drinking Lots Of Water

“You may be drinking enough water but still feel dehydrated if having an electrolyte imbalance,” He says Dr. Natasha Trentacosta MDa sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute.

electrolytes like sodium, chloride, magnesium and potassium they’re needed to get fluids into cells, she says. If she loses them by sweating excessively at the gym, for example, it can really mess things up. She recommends focusing on drinks with lots of electrolytes, like coconut waterand eat high-fiber fruits and vegetables to combat these losses.

As strange as it seems, drink too much water it can also make you feel sick because of the way it affects electrolytes. “Water consumption, especially excess water, can wash out electrolytes and fiber,” explains Trentacosta. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommend drinking about 91 ouncesor 2.7 liters, per day.

Are you the type of person who drinks three glasses of lemon water First thing in the morning? If so, it’s important to make sure you drink water throughout the day, rather than drinking it all at once. “Your body will absorb more water throughout the day, rather than all at once,” he says. Scott Michael Schreiber, D.C.a board-certified rehabilitation specialist.

If no amount of water seems to quench your thirst and you’re urinating excessively, it’s time to see your doctor. “This may be the first diabetes signsays Trentacosta. Because the body is trying to get rid of sugar, people with diabetes can urinate frequently, which can dehydrate them. If you are always thirsty and urinate a lot, it may be worth getting tested for diabetes.

An illness can make you feel dehydrated, says a registered dietitian Kristin Gillespie, MS, RD, LD, if you were vomiting, had diarrhea, were sweating profusely, or dealing with all of the above. “Obviously, increasing your fluid intake is necessary to combat these fluid losses, but that’s often easier said than done, especially during illness,” he tells Bustle. “Having fluids on hand and sipping them throughout the day rather than trying to drink large amounts at once may be easier to tolerate.”

This is the time when you might lean towards drinks like Pedialyte or Gatorade. “Not only do these contain electrolytes, which are also lost through sweat and gastrointestinal losses, but they are also often more easily absorbed into the body,” says Gillespie.

Some types of medicine can make you more prone to dehydration. “Some medications deliberately remove water and electrolytes from the body,” says Trentacosta, noting diuretics, laxatives, antacids, and even blood pressure medications as examples. Since some of these may list dehydration as a side effect, check with your doctor to see what they recommend in terms of staying hydrated.

Even if you drink eight glasses a day or more, that may not be enough for you, depending on your size and level of physical activity. “You may not actually be getting as much water as you think,” says Dr. Trentacosta. “The general recommendation is to drink about eight glasses of water a day, but this should be tailored to the individual’s weight and activity levels.”

Consider what you drink besides water. According to Gillespie, if you feel thirsty, you should try to increase your intake of hydrating fluids, such as water, tea, and sports drinks, and reduce drinks that contain alcohol, as it can have a slight effect. diuretic effect.

The same is true if you’re a huge fan of coffee and soft drink. “Many people use these products as one of their fluids,” says Jaramillo. “In reality, we should combine each of these drinks consumed with an additional glass of water.” If you’re not a fan of running water, Gillespie recommends infusing yours with fruit or adding a drop of flavor to enhance the taste.

Another quick way to feel dehydrated? Make you sweat by wearing too many layers. “Sweating is your body’s way of trying to lower your body temperatureUnger says. Make sure you don’t overwork your body by sitting down with three sweaters and a stack of blankets. It won’t necessarily make you dehydrated, but it’s something to consider if you can’t figure out why you’re always drinking water.

You may also have a hormonal imbalancesays board-certified clinical nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner Filipa Bellette, Ph.D.especially if you feel like urinating almost immediately after drinking a glass of water.

Bellette points to a stress-related hormonal imbalance in particular, noting that it can cause the body to be deficient in minerals. “If a person is deficient mineralsthey can’t absorb water into their cells, which means they start urinating almost all the water they drink, leaving their body dehydrated regardless of how much water a person drinks,” he tells Bustle.

This and other health problems are something you can get tested for at your doctor’s office. If you can’t figure out why you feel dehydrated and thirsty all the time, it’s good start discarding things.

“When you’re thirsty, you’re already heading down the road to dehydration,” says Schreiber, which is why you need to drink water throughout the day, not just when you’re thirsty. “Your body will absorb more water throughout the day rather than all at once,” she explains.

Since it’s hard to remember to drink water, especially if you’re busy or have an active job, Trentacosta suggests keeping track of how much water you drink throughout the day. Consider getting a water bottle that marks the amount of liquid or using a water tracking app so you know for sure that you’ve had enough.

if you are experiencing signs of chronic dehydration despite drinking plenty of water, talk to your doctor about what might be going on and how to stay hydrated.