Dehydration at workplace: How can it affect your kidneys

“I am so busy; I don't have time to even drink ”water”— this is something you'll hear a go-getter boast with his colleagues. Workplace dehydration is a real thing. Several workplace factors, including sedentary jobs, physically demanding tasks, tight schedules, and even air conditioning, can contribute to chronic dehydration. Often, people working in different environments ignore adequate fluid intake, leading to dehydration. This impacts individuals’ health and productivity negatively.

One simple way to know if you are suffering from workplace dehydration is to notice the frequency of urination and the color of the urine. Those who are consuming less water will pass less urine and that would be quite concentrated in appearance.


According to Dr. Shiwaanee Gupta, MBBS MD, Internal Medicine, Lead clinician, HCL Healthcare, “Dehydration, a common issue particularly in the workplace, poses a significant risk to kidney health. On the health aspect, one may experience physical symptoms like cramps, headache, lack of concentration, lethargy and fatigue, increased skin wrinkling, and aging effects. More severe impacts could be a higher risk of urinary infections, the development of kidney stones in those predisposed, and blood pressure fluctuations. While acute dehydration presents obvious symptoms, chronic, low-grade dehydration can silently damage the kidneys. This forces the kidneys to overwork, leading to concentrated waste products, an increased risk of kidney stones, reduced blood supply, and potential acute kidney injury (AKI), ultimately contributing to chronic kidney disease (CKD).”


Dr. Tanmay Pandya, HOD & Director – Nephrology, Sarvodaya Hospital Sector-8, Faridabad, says, “Fortunately, preventing dehydration and protecting kidney health is achievable through simple measures. These include drinking at least eight glasses of water daily (more if active or working in heat), keeping water readily available, setting reminders to drink, paying attention to thirst cues, incorporating hydrating foods into the diet, and limiting sugary beverages. Proactive hydration is crucial for maintaining kidney function and overall well-being. Prioritizing hydration is a simple yet powerful way to safeguard kidney function and prevent long-term health complications. Make conscious hydration a daily habit to support your overall well-being.”

Tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, or packaged juices are not adequate substitutes for water. One should aim drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day, even when working indoors or with air conditioning on. An additional allowance needs to be made for hot or humid climates or working outdoors.