Is there a difference between being thirsty and dehydrated? Like scientifically, biologically – by the time you notice that you are thirsty, are you already dehydrated?
In: Biology
Yes.
Dehydration is a medical condition in which you have less than an adequate amount of water.
You can be thirsty without being dehydrated and if you weren’t you’d probably become dehydrated because you’d be unlikely to drink unless making a conscious effort to do so at regular intervals.
Thirst is just a sensation, like being tired or such. Obviously you’d be likely to be thirsty if dehydrated, but thirst also triggers regularly before dehdration to keep you drinking to *prevent* dehydration.
Think of it like this: you want to drive somewhere but you’re kind of low on gas. If you can make it there and not have to fill up, you might consider stopping anyways just to top off. This this thirst.
If you plan a drive and determain you don’t have enough gas to get there,that would be akin to dehydration. Its phydically not enough, vs just maintaining. Either way, you consider stopping for the gas, but if you’re low enough, you won’t make it. Thats the difference.
Edit: thanks for the ~~silver~~ awards!
Edit: jeez! This really blew up, i can’t believe how many awards it got! Glad I was able to help anyone!
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