Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 28: Dehydration is commonly linked to symptoms such as excessive thirst, dry lips, and fatigue, but health experts say the condition can also appear in several unexpected ways that many people tend to ignore.

NHS surgeon Dr Karan Rajan has highlighted three lesser-known signs of dehydration, explaining that the body often sends subtle signals when fluid levels drop.

One of the unusual symptoms, according to the doctor, is sudden craving for sweets or sugary drinks.

Explaining the reason, Dr Rajan said dehydration affects the liver’s ability to break down glycogen into glucose, resulting in lower glucose levels in the blood.

“This happens because you’re so dehydrated your liver struggles to break down glycogen into glucose, so there’s less glucose in your blood,” he explained in a video shared on Facebook.

The doctor advised people to check their water intake if they suddenly develop unexplained cravings for sweets.

Another overlooked sign of dehydration is dry and irritated eyes.

Dr Rajan explained that tears play a major role in lubricating and cleaning the eyes, apart from emotional expression. However, dehydration can significantly reduce tear production, leading to dryness and irritation.

“Your body produces tears for more than just crying. Tears are also for lubricating and cleaning your eyes. So dehydration means dry eyes that are easily irritable,” he said.

The third unusual symptom highlighted by the doctor is bad breath.

According to him, dehydration reduces saliva production in the mouth. Since saliva helps control bacteria and maintain oral hygiene, reduced saliva levels allow bacteria to multiply more rapidly, resulting in unpleasant breath.

“Dehydration means less saliva, more bacteria, and more funky breath,” he noted.

Health experts warn that dehydration can become serious if ignored. When the body loses more fluids than it receives, it may lead to fatigue, headaches, dizziness, electrolyte imbalance, and in severe cases, organ complications and shock.

Doctors advise maintaining adequate fluid intake, especially during hot weather, illness, or physical activity, and paying attention to both common and unusual signs of dehydration.