Water Intoxication- Excess of everything is dangerous

 Lowers potassium level

Excessive intake of water may lead to loss of potassium. The balance between intracellular and extracellular potassium ions gets disturbed and leads you with hypokalemia.

Lowers sodium level

Excess intake of water may lead to excess loss of sodium creating an imbalance of sodium ions in your body.

Swelling of cells

Presence of sodium and potassium ions are necessary to keep electrolyte balance of your body. But due to water intoxication, high amount of ions enters the cell making them swell and finally burst.

Overburdens your brain

The salt concentration in your blood decreases, causing your body and brain to swell up and pressure against the skull generates. Therefore leads to stress in a brain and severe headache.

Stresses your heart

Increase in consumption of water stresses your kidneys along with the heart. A person suffering from cardiovascular diseases also affect kidneys and hence retention of more water in the body can lead to a more disastrous situation like heart failure.

Overworked kidneys

Water intoxication pressurizes your kidney to work constantly, which burdens your kidneys. During water intoxication, kidneys need to work hard to maintain homeostasis of the body.

Recurrent episodes of urination

Frequent urination can be a very frustrating situation that arises due to overhydration. Water intoxication leads to constant filtration of fluid by kidneys and therefore increasing urine output.

Muscle weakness

Drinking too much water may lead to loss of electrolytes and creates an imbalance in your body. Low electrolyte levels cause muscle weakness and cramps.

Nausea and vomiting

When you drink too much water, your kidneys become overworked unable to rid of the excess liquid and water starts to collect in the body. This can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, often including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Fatigue

Your kidneys are responsible for filtering the water you drink and making sure the fluid levels in your bloodstream stay balanced. When water intoxication occurs, your kidneys have to work even harder, creating a stressful reaction from your hormones that leaves your body stressed and fatigued. 

How Much Water is sufficient?

  • Start your day with a glass of water.
  • One glass of water after waking up and another one before you take your breakfast.
  • In the afternoon, Take one glass half an hour before taking your lunch, added with a glass of water half an hour after you had your lunch
  • Moving onto evening schedule, take a glass of water before your evening tea/coffee.
  • Finally at night, once glass before your dinner and one after it.
  • Just like start, end your day with a glass of water and follow the same routine next morning

How To Treat And Prevent Water Intoxication

Keeping weight records

Weigh yourself before indulging in any physical workout and after it. The purpose is to target the water loss in your body due to sweating during such activities and replace the deficiency with an equivalent amount of water and electrolytes.

Take small sips

To prevent water intoxication, go for small sips of water. Taking small sips at regular intervals will be more beneficial than drinking glasses of water at once. Drinking much water will lead to improper absorption of fluid, leading to the rich amount of water in our system

Take proper rest

Especially for those who are more indulged in heavy workouts, rest is necessary. It will give time to cool down your body and prevent excessive loss and hence, avoid chances of water intoxication.

Intake of salts

Moderate intake of salts may help you keeping balance. It will maintain sodium levels in your body and hence, avoid conditions like hyponatremia.