If there is a white line around your lips/mouth, does it mean you're dehidrated?

thats what happened to me when i fainted today! people think it happened because i got dehydrated.
Answer:
Back in the day, I had a problem similar to this (didn't faint, just noticed chalky white stuff lining my lips).In short: yes it is a sign you're dehydrated. The long answer:You need (dependant on your physical activity level) anywhere between 5-10 glasses of fluid (of any sort, so long as it's non-alcoholic and not too sugary/salty) in order to replace what you lose through the day (via persperation, exhalation, and physical activity).The food you eat everyday provides the "missing" 4 glasses of fluid that most nutritionists add to make the "total" fluid intake requirements (because I'd rather not take the chance on someone taking my answer as the Word and end up killing themselves by literally drinking 8-10 glasses a day just to fulfill some arbitrary number).Also, you need adequate levels of electrolytes (specifically sodium and potassium) to prevent "water intoxication" (overhydration of the cells). Normally, your sodium intake is more than fulfilled by everyday, American-style eating. Potassium is best found in brocoli, bananas (for which they're famous for), and cauliflower (it's also found in other things, but it's most prevalent in those). Basically to get mine, I eat one banana a day, which fulfills most of the requirement (and in a short span too), leaving the rest for what I'd normally eat throughout the day.Now, if you're a fairly sedentary person, you can pretty much go with drinking whenever your thirsty, and having one glass of fluid with every meal. If you're physically active, go with 1 glass of fluid per hour of activity, and if you're sweating a lot, go for 1 glass every half hour.Now, the best thing to drink would be your standard milk, juice, water, and (if necessary for a sugar fix, or if you're a physically active person) sports drinks (Gatorade, et al). Of course, it's not necessary, and you can tea, coffee, and soda in moderation, sugary drinks like these have little to no nutritional benefit, and aren't worth it (because, again, dehydration can also be caused by missing some critical electrolytes).Of course, don't overuse sports drinks, as they often aren't necessary for your average healthy person.So, my advice to you: start drinking some more water/sports drinks, and try not to faint (it's a sign something very serious is wrong. You really should've went to the hospital to find out why you fainted).Now a little something I'd like to see from the public at large: I know it's going to be a very hot summer for most of us, and I think that it would be great if we could pass along this knowledge to friends and family; so that we may prevent the unnecessary deaths of people due to dehydration this summer. I find it rather sad that in the 21st century, and especially sad in the Western world, that healthy young people die from dehydration over the summer (it isn't unheard of you know. Of course, most people cover it up by calling it a "cardiac event" (caused by arrhythmia due to an unbalanced level of electrolytes) or "heat exhaustion" (another word for severe dehydration)). Also, take extra care all you elderly people. You're at a greater risk for dehydration, you know.Move into air conditioning if possible, and drink plenty of fluids. Perhaps this summer we can go through a heat wave without Brian Williams or Katie Couric telling of how many people died of the "brutal heat wave" which isn't that bad (please, temperatures in the early 90s F are nothing for me, and if Al Gore is right, pretty soon the penguins will be swimming next to us at the newly-opened water park at the South Pole anyway, so we "best get used to it").

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