Keeping your body hydrated is extremely important to your health and you need to know the warning signs of dehydration so you can take action, especially if you have a very active lifestyle. Your body needs a minimum of 64 oz of water per day. That's at least 8 glasses of water and you could probably drink more.

If you live in a warmer climate then you may need to drink more than 8 glasses. If you active in sports or have a hectic stressful lifestyle then you may also need to drink more.

You should:

1) Start drinking water soon after you wake up. A squirt of lemon is a good idea for your first glass of the day. 2) Take sips rather than gulping down water all at once. 3) Drink steadily throughout the day especially if you are active. 4) You can also get some liquid into your system by eating fruits and vegetables which contain anywhere from 70% to 92% of water.

Here are some signs that you are dehydrated:

1) Fatigue 2) Flushed skin 3) Dry mouth 4) Dry lips 5) Cramps 6) Headache 7) Sunken eyes 8) Stiff Joints 9) Dark Urine

When you wake up in the morning your urine should be clear with no odor. This is a quick and easy way to tell if you are dehydrated.

You can alleviate many physical problems just by drinking the appropriate amount of water per day. This is especially true if you have difficulty with constipation. When you drink water it gets into the intestines where some of it gets into the bloodstream to nourish all the cells of the body, some goes to other major organs such as the kidneys, bladder etc., but the rest is utilized by the colon to remove fecal matter. You would not expect your toilet to flush properly without water, it is also true for your body. You will not be able to flush sufficient fecal matter without enough water in your system.

As you start getting older you can lose some of your ability to recognize if you are thirsty so it is especially important for the elderly to drink water through out the day. So many physical problems for the elderly stem from being dehydrated.

Dehydration can be a serious problem but it is easily handled. Pay attention to your body and learn to recognize the symptoms and drink, drink, drink water all day long. You'll be glad you did.