What Happens When You’re Not Properly Hydrated in Extreme Heat Conditions—A Heatwave in India
Many Indian states, including Telangana, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand, Vidarbha area of Maharashtra, Gangetic West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, have been experiencing heatwave conditions for some time now. On Sunday, temperatures in some areas reached as high as 45 degrees Celsius. Over the next several days, severe heatwave conditions are expected to persist in areas of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
It’s also critical that individuals take the appropriate safety measures to guard against heat-related ailments, such as dehydration. It’s essential that you stay hydrated at all times during the day by drinking enough water. Your health may be seriously impacted if you don’t drink enough water or other liquids. Here’s what happens to your body in really hot weather when you don’t drink enough water.
Heat-Related Conditions
Your body’s capacity to control its temperature via perspiration and evaporation is impacted by dehydration. This may make you more susceptible to heat-related ailments, including heatstroke and exhaustion. If heatstroke is not treated right away, it may be deadly and very serious.
Reduced Blood Pressure
Blood pressure and volume are maintained in large part by hydration. Your body loses fluid when you’re dehydrated, which lowers blood volume. This may result in low blood pressure, which may cause symptoms including lightheadedness, fainting, and fast heartbeat.
Deterioration of Cognitive Capabilities
Your brain function may be adversely affected by dehydration. Proper hydration is essential for the brain to sustain cognitive processes including alertness, attention, and memory. You may find it more difficult to make judgments during a heatwave due to decreased cognitive function brought on by dehydration and rising temperatures.
Kidney Stress
Sufficient fluid intake is essential for the kidneys to operate properly. They assist in controlling fluid balance and removing waste from your blood. The kidneys have a harder time carrying out these functions when they are dehydrated. Prolonged dehydration may cause kidney stones or, in extreme situations, renal failure.
Getting Worse for Chronic Illnesses
Dehydration may worsen the symptoms and make pre-existing disorders like diabetes, heart disease, or kidney problems more difficult for those who have them. Elevated body temperature may lead to increased stress and additional strain on the body.
Muscle Strains and Exhaustion
For proper function, your muscles need enough fluids, electrolytes, and minerals. Dehydration causes the muscle cells to lose fluid and electrolytes, making it harder for the muscles to contract and increasing the likelihood of cramps or spasms. Dehydration also accelerates the onset of muscle exhaustion, making even little exercise challenging.
Variations in Mood and Irritability
Dehydration often affects your mood by making you agitated and nervous. Heatwaves may make it harder to manage stress because of the pain brought on by high temperatures and the poor mood regulation induced by dehydration. This can have an impact on mental health in general.
