Dehydration Fatigue: Signs, Symptoms & Treatment

We all live busy, fast-paced lives. Between juggling work and family commitments, not to mention squeezing in visits to the gym and a few social outings here and there, is it any wonder we can feel utterly exhausted at times? the rapid onset of fatigue from time to time? 

Well, this lack of energy and concentration may not simply be related to struggling through a full schedule. If you ever wondered whether dehydration can make you tired and cause drowsiness, the answer is yes! Fatigue from dehydration has been proven to impair both cognitive performance and mood, given the body’s reliance on a constant supply of fresh water.

In this article, our team at zazen Water explore the relationship between fatigue and dehydration, common causes and symptoms, and methods to remedy the situation.

Common Cause of Tiredness and Fatigue

The best solution to any problem is to have a solid understanding of why it is occurring in the first place, and fatigue is no different. 

While there are many possible causes of tiredness, drowsiness and fatigue symptoms, some are more common than others:

• Sleep deprivation: When you don’t get enough sleep (about 7-8 hours a night), your body doesn’t have time to rest and recover from the day’s activities, leading to exhaustion and fatigue.
• Stress: When under prolonged stress, our bodies release cortisol, which can create physiological impacts and often leave you tired and run down. 
• Poor nutrition: Eating a balanced diet is essential for overall health and well-being. If you’re not getting enough of the right nutrients, it can lead to fatigue and tiredness.
• Medical conditions: Many conditions can cause fatigue and tiredness, such as anaemia, thyroid problems, and chronic fatigue syndrome. You should must talk to your doctor about possible treatments if you have any underlying medical conditions.
• Dehydration: When dehydrated, your body doesn't have enough fluids to function properly. Dehydration and fatigue symptoms can lead to feeling tired, drowsiness, and light-headed.ness.

How Does Dehydration Cause Fatigue?

Fatigue is a common symptom stemming from various medical conditions and lifestyle habits, with dehydration being a primary culprit. This doesn’t just mean being slightly thirsty; instead, it refers to a spectrum of water loss through the normal processes within the body, such as sweating, urinating and organ function, to more serious conditions leading to vomiting, diarrhea and other extreme water loss actions. Simply put, it refers to a sustained period of losing more water than we are taking in. This is also a prominent factor in babies, newborns, infants and small children who aren’t yet capable of managing their hydration independently.

There is a range of physiological impacts brought on by dehydration. For example, dehydration can cause fatigue by making it difficult for the body to transport oxygen to the cells thus and making it work harder to maintain temperature and pump blood due to decreased blood volume. As a result, the body will not be able to process the necessary nutrients required to produce adequate amounts of energy. You may also experience cramps, headaches, and dizziness due to dehydration.

How Does Dehydration Affect The Body?

Once your body’s level of fluid and electrolytes begins to deplete, a range of physical impacts will start to appear. 

Firstly, your blood pressure will begin to drop, limiting circulation around the body and to your brain, leading to a prolonged sense of sleepiness. This also reduces blood fluid volume (relating to the plasma, red and white blood cells, and other fluids in your cells). As a result, your heart begins to pump harder to distribute the required nutrients, oxygen and fluids throughout your body. 

In addition to fatigue from dehydration, other effects include:

• Headaches: With the decrease in blood flow, your brain tissue loses water and shrinks, leading to headaches and migraines.
• Dizziness: The drop in blood pressure can also lead to dizziness and light-headedness.
• Constipation: Dehydration can lead to constipation as there isn’t enough water in the intestine to absorb toxins and help stool move through the digestive system.
• Feeling Cold: Dehydration can also cause your body temperature to drop, leaving you feeling colder. This is because your body is trying to conserve heat when it doesn’t have enough fluid.

How Does Dehydration Impact Your Sleep?

Dehydration can also disrupt our sleep cycles each night. This can be as little as causing occasional muscle cramps and spasms waking you up in the night, to drying out your nasal passages, resulting in snoring and disturbed sleep quality. What’s more, if you are having difficulties sleeping, your risk of dehydration is increased through an inhibited release of vasopressin, a hormone critical in cellular hydration.

Can Dehydration Cause Mental Fatigue?

Mood and cognitive performance are so reliant on a well-functioning brain, and as a result, the impairments brought on by dehydration can also cause mental fatigue. In addition to impacting your mental acuity, dehydration can also make us more irritable leading to and likely to make emotional outbursts.

Dehydration over prolonged periods of time can lead to serious implications in terms of stress and mental health. As such, it is not only essential to commit to proper cellular hydration for your physiological health, but also for your mental wellbeing.

How Does Dehydration Cause Muscle Fatigue?

As described above, dehydration happens when the body is in a deficit of water without an ample supply to function properly. If left untreated, dehydration can lead to more serious problems such as heat stroke, kidney failure, and seizures. 

The reduction of blood flow inhibits the supply of oxygen and nutrients passing through the body, so muscle fatigue can easily follow. This is due to the decrease in much-needed electrolyte levels, such as potassium and sodium, to support muscle contractions.

What are the Risks Of Dehydration Fatigue?

Dehydration can cause several symptoms, all of which can lead to fatigue. The most common symptom of dehydration is thirst, but it can also cause dry mouth, fatigue, light-headedness, drowsiness, headache, and dark urine. 

More severe symptoms can include sunken eyes, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and even fainting. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately, as dehydration can quickly become a medical emergency.

How is Dehydration Fatigue Treated?

Dehydration can cause fatigue, which is often treated by replenishing lost fluids. This can be done by drinking water or fluids with electrolytes, such as alkaline mineral water, and avoiding activities and environments where you may lose further water (such as exercising in hot climates where excessive sweating is expected). Drinking enough of the right fluids to replace those lost through sweating, urination, and other bodily functions is important. In severe cases of dehydration, fluids may need to be taken intravenously.

Can Alkaline Water Help to Fight Fatigue?

Normal tap water and bottled drinking water do not contain all the necessary electrolytes and nutrients essential for rehydration. Utilising devices such as the zazen Alkaline Water System can provide you with a consistent supply of alkaline water filled with the necessary electrolyte minerals needed for cellular hydration, including such as sodium, potassium, magnesium  and chloride.