If your answer is yes to the next four questions, then that means you’re probably dehydrated.

Q: Do you often find your lips chapped and your mouth dry?

A: You’re probably dehydrated.

When you’ve got chapped lips and dry mouth, you aren’t producing enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. This may also lead to dry throat, cracked lips, or bad breath.

Saliva is important in the digestion process, since it helps in breaking down food. It also protects you from gum disease and tooth decay. So when you notice a dry feeling in your mouth, you should know what’s happening and immediately get to drinking.

Q: Do you get out of breath immediately? Are you sweating a lot?

A: You might be dehydrated. Please fix that now.

Exercising? Battling flights of stairs? Or lifting heavy items? You may need a moment or two to slow down your rapid breathing. But if you haven’t caught your breath even after resting, that’s another thing altogether. This might mean that you’re dehydrated. You might’ve depleted your reserve of ions that affects your heart’s capability to pump blood. If you’re also sweating a lot after any strenuous activity, you’re surely losing a lot of ions, which means you need to boost your water intake. ASAP!

Q: Are you often dizzy? Do you frequently experience headaches?

A: You might be dehydrated. SOS!

Your body is made up of 70% water, and so is your brain. So if you’re getting dizzy spells or finding yourself in some confusing moments, then that might mean that your brain is lacking the water it needs. That’s why people say that drinking water and eating water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables is good for the mind. You should get some fluid in you immediately, so you can think much clearly.

Q: Do you often get muscle cramps?

A: You’re probably dehydrated. So get some water and rest.

Muscle cramps — or when a muscle abruptly tightens up on its own — could happen to any part of your body. Many things can cause muscle cramping, and one of the most common causes is when your body lacks fluids and ions a.k.a. dehydration. With a low level of ions, blood isn’t pumping as well as it should be through your body, which makes some parts of your body not function as well as they should.

If your answer is yes to the next four questions, then that means you are hydrated enough.

Q: Is your skin supple?

A: That’s a good sign that you’re getting enough hydration!

Most people believe that when you’re well hydrated, you’ll have soft and supple skin, which is often the case as studies show, though there is still no confirmation of this correlation. But dermatologists agree that when you’re in dire need of fluids, your skin turns drier and less elastic.

If you can pinch the skin on the top of your hand and the skin goes back immediately, you’re still in the clear with your hydration levels. But if it lacks the usual flexibility, maybe with the skin even sticking together and “tenting”, then that means you may be moderately or even severely dehydrated. So make sure you increase your water and fluid intake.

Q: Do you feel less hungry and more full?

A: You’re probably hydrated.

When you drink more fluids, you fill your stomach, even if it’s not with food. This sense of fullness takes away your sense of hunger, which definitely helps if you want to lose some weight and eat less during meals. Simply drinking one or two cups of water before meals is enough. But you may also keep up with constant intake of fluids that are “boosted” with sugar and ions throughout the day to keep the hunger at bay.

Q: Do you feel cool, even in hot weather?

A: Yes. you’re hydrated! Keep up the good habit!

If you’re not experiencing feverish temperatures or extreme heat from your body, then you’re probably hydrated. It means your body has been able to release heat through the expansion of your blood vessels near the skin’s surface, which leads to more blood flow and more heat released, making you feel cool.

If you suddenly experience lower blood pressure, a weak and rapid pulse, dizzy spells, headaches, and fevers and chills, then that’s a sign that you’re severely dehydrated. So don’t ignore the level of temperature you’re feeling and always make sure to drink enough fluids.

Q: Do you pee frequently?

A: You’re probably hydrated. Amazing work!

If you’re taking more trips to the bathroom, don’t take it the wrong way because that’s actually great! This means you’re expelling all that fluids you’ve been drinking. Plus, these bathroom trips are actually an extra cleanse for your body. All the germs and bacteria are flushed out of your body thoroughly and properly.

Just watch out for the color of your urine. Normal urine is pale yellow in color, which means you’re a-ok with the hydration, while a darker-colored urine means you’re severely dehydrated.

The best way to stay hydrated and keep up with your active lifestyle is to increase your fluid intake. What better beverage to drink than Gatorade Ion? It’s especially formulated with the optimal fluids and ions to keep you hydrated and energized throughout your active lifestyle. It also has no preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors — just packed with ions! So if you often find yourself doing strenuous activities and sweating a lot, then you should always make sure you have a bottle of Gatorade Ion with you.

Disclaimer: Dehydration through fluid loss is subject to environment, duration, intensity of exercise and other conditions.

You can help combat the signs of dehydration and recognize the benefits of proper hydration. Start your good habits now and keep hydrated with Gatorade Ion! Check out Gatorade Ion’s Facebook page!