Recently, a woman from Hyderabad developed a severe water intoxication condition after she drank almost 4 liters of water right after waking up in the morning.
The doctor, who treated her, told that she complained of severe headache, nausea, and vomiting, followed by a seizure and loss of consciousness.
In fact, drinking too much water dilutes blood and decreases the electrolytes in the body, especially sodium.
A 40-year-old woman from Hyderabad almost lost her life, developing a threatening condition after she drank almost 4 liters of water right after waking up. It is claimed that drinking excess water in the morning right after waking up can clear all waste from the body. A few minutes after drinking water, she began to feel disoriented and confused, followed by a seizure and loss of consciousness.
The diagnosis was obvious, it was most likely “hyponatremia”, or low sodium levels in the blood, caused by water intoxication. The blood test also confirmed this suspicion. Then the serum sodium levels were 110 mmol/L”.
According to experts, water intoxication happens when you have more water in your body than which is needed. Doctors say the condition leads to severe chemical imbalances that body cannot clear out naturally by sweating or urinating.
Symptoms of Water Intoxication
Drinking too much water dilutes blood and decreases the electrolytes in the body, especially sodium. And as a result, water moves into body’s cells and causes them to swell. So, when one gets too much water in the brain cells, it increases pressure on the brain and affects how it works. This leads to changes in awareness, movement, and behavior. Doctors say ‘Water Intoxication’ can be fatal. A few signs and symptoms of water intoxication include Nausea and vomiting; Bloating in tummy; Headache; Drowsiness; Muscle weakness, pain and cramps; Changes to mental status, including confusion, irritability, and dizziness; Severe swelling in. hands, feet and belly.
While it is not easy to know if one drank too much water, however, the color of urine does tell a lot about the health. If one is not hydrated, it will be light yellow, like the color of light straw or lemonade. One may be drinking too much water if urine is colorless or clear. Doctors advise stopping drinking water if urine is colorless and then one has water intoxication symptoms
It depends on the amount of water that may lead to overhydration. According to doctors, it is important to understand how the body uses water to know how much too much for one it is. Excess water can be removed from the body through urine. In a day, this equals to around 1-2 liters.
In a few people, water intoxication symptoms begin to develop after drinking about 3-4 liters over an hour or two.
One can help prevent overhydration by: Drinking when you are thirsty; Responding to the body; Stopping after quenching the thirst; Don’t force oneself to drink; Stop drinking on feeling nauseous, bloated, or have a headache
A few ways can reduce water intoxication including Stopping or restricting water consumption; Treating the cause of water intoxication, which may include stopping certain medications; depending on the cause of water intoxication, doctors may also put you on diuretics or IV fluids.
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Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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