Severe dehydration should be treated as a medical emergency and could even require hospitalization. This happens whenever 15 percent of a person's body fluid is lost. Research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water every day could significantly reduce the risk of dehydration or daytime fatigue. Some signs of dehydration include heartburn, non-infectious recurring or chronic pain, mental irritation or depression or even water retention. Most people think of dry mouth as a signal that their body is in need of water.
Dry mouth is the last outward sign of extreme dehydration.
When the thirst sensation urges the body to drink water, we should not substitute soda, coffee or beverages containing alcohol. These do contain water, but they also contain dehydrating agents that eliminate the water in them and the water from the body's reserves.