Water Intoxication and its side effects

Water Drunk

Source:  www.pickthebrain.com

who would have thought that the intake of water has side effects? We didn’t!  Let’s put this secret out to you; overhydration causes hyponatremia - the reduction of sodium level in the body.

Just as overdoing anything is not good, the same rule applies for drinking too much of water. While it is often times advised by our doctors to drink water well enough to keep healthy, excessive drinking of water can lead to severe health conditions.

Drinking too much water brings down sodium level. Hyponatremia indicates a decrease in sodium levels below 136mmol/litre blood serum which is a result of quick overhydration. For the proper and efficient functioning of several organs in the body, it is important to maintain a healthy balance of sodium in the body. A sharp fall of serum sodium levels in the body, one may feel nauseous, disoriented, fatigued or get a headache. In worst case scenarios, it can be fatal.

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Over-drinking can bring down the potassium ions in the body and lead to a condition called hypokalemia. It hits the balance between intracellular and extracellular potassium ions. It has been shown that, a slight 1% change in the potassium ion distribution can lead to a 50%alteration in plasma potassium distribution. This striking change can cause continuous sweating and severe diarrhea.  

Speech impairment, walking instability, psychosis, disorientation and even death are side effects of low sodium content in the blood which bloats up the brain cells. Not only are the brain cells affected, other cells in the body are affected as water permeates into the body cells and has them all swollen up. This is threatening and can damage organs and muscle tissues severely. 

Several factors determine the intake of body fluid; these factors range from age, sex, medical conditions, and daily activities. According to the National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine, women should take in 2.7 litres of total water (from all food and beverages, including the drinking water they consume) and men should have a daily intake of water from all foods and other beverages should be 3.7 litres. In all, the daily intake of water should be restricted to a maximum of 3 litres.

Sometimes, babies can have issues; their bodies are so tiny that they can’t handle lots of water that is why doctors recommend milk or only formula for infants.

The best way to prevent water intoxication is to make sure you don’t take way more water than you sweat out. Experts say you should check things out when you go to pee. If your pee is dark, it means you’re probably dehydrated and you should drink.  But, peeing out almost clear water, there is most likely a problem. 

Sometimes, it helps to have sport drinks instead of plain water if you will be working hard. Sports drinks have sodium and other electrolytes but too much

liquid of any kind too fast can cause issues.

If and when you have symptoms of hyponatremia, get help right away because the condition can lead to swelling in the brain, seizures, coma and even death.