7 little-known signs that your body may be dehydrated

Some symptoms are better known, such as intense thirst and dry mouth. Others, however, may be less obvious and end up confused with different problems.

HuffPost listened to experts to identify signs that may indicate a lack of water in the body. See some of them.

Signs of dehydration

1. Bad breath and dry mouth

Inadequate hydration may be related to bad breath. According to doctor Melissa Leber, when the body is dehydrated, saliva production decreases.

Saliva helps with the digestion of food and also helps clean the mouth. With less saliva, there is a greater proliferation of bacteria, which can cause bad breath.

2. Spasms and cramps

Cramps can also be a sign of dehydration. They don't just affect athletes or people who do intense exercise.

Pain, muscle stiffness or spasms may indicate that the body needs more water, especially when these symptoms appear without an obvious cause.

3. Headache

Lack of water can also promote migraine attacks and headaches. Studies indicate that dehydration can temporarily reduce the volume of brain tissue, which can cause pain.

4. Dark urine

Urine color is one of the ways healthcare professionals use to assess signs of dehydration.

According to the Mayo Clinic, light yellow urine usually indicates good hydration. Dark yellow urine could be a sign that it's time to drink water. In general, the greater the fluid intake, the clearer the urine tends to be.

5. Malaise, dizziness and nausea

Feelings of malaise, headache, dizziness and nausea can be confused with symptoms of a virus or flu. However, according to Melissa Leber, flu-like symptoms can also be related to dehydration.

6. Feeling hungry shortly after eating

The feeling of hunger right after a meal can, in some cases, be linked to thirst. This happens because hunger and thirst signals are regulated, in part, by the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that controls these and other functions.

Therefore, when hunger appears shortly after eating, it is worth considering whether the body is actually asking for water.

7. Fatigue

Hydration is important to maintain energy levels throughout the day. Water helps the body transport essential nutrients to cells and contributes to the proper functioning of organs.

When there is a lack of water, these functions can be impaired, causing a feeling of tiredness and fatigue.