Is Your Body Telling You It Needs More Fluids? Subtle Signs of Dehydration in POTS
Proper hydration is essential for managing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) symptoms, and our bodies often give us subtle hints when we are not well-hydrated.
Let’s decode these signals:
Darker Colored Urine or Not Urinating Often Enough
When you are not well-hydrated, your body may try to hold onto the fluid it has left. This can cause urine to appear darker in color and reduce how often you are making trips to the bathroom. Urine is usually a pale yellow color when you are hydrated.
Feeling Especially Lightheaded, Shaky, or Fatigued
Dehydration further reduces the amount of blood in your body and your nervous system’s ability to regulate properly. When you are dealing with POTS, this can make it even more difficult for your body to circulate enough blood to your heart and brain, which can cause POTS symptoms to worsen or feel more intense than usual. Your heart may beat even faster as it attempts to push more blood to your brain.
Feeling a Headache Coming On
When you are dehydrated, your blood volume drops, which may reduce the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your brain, leading to a headache. Changes in the balance of electrolytes in your body can also occur, which may affect how nerves send signals, sometimes triggering a headache.
Thirst or Dry Mouth
When you are dehydrated, your body has less fluid to work with, and your brain senses this drop. It triggers the feeling of thirst to encourage you to drink more fluids. At the same time, your body may make less saliva so that it can hold onto the fluids it has left, which can lead to a dry mouth.
These signs can indicate dehydration not just in those with POTS, but in anyone. Not every symptom means you are dehydrated—but staying ahead on hydration can help ease the load on your nervous system when you have POTS. It can be helpful to tune into your body and recognize your unique patterns.
Hydration recommendations can look different for everyone, and what appears to be dehydration can be caused by other underlying factors—so it is always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as behavioral health or medical advice. It is not intended or implied to supplement or replace treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis from your own qualified healthcare provider.