Heatwave Health Risks: In this scorching heat and intense sunlight, you must have often heard that a person must drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water every day so that the body does not get dehydrated. But what if you come to know that even after drinking 5 liters of water, someone reached the ICU of the hospital? In such a situation, this is surprising. A case reported from Delhi raises the question that just drinking water is not enough. Where despite drinking a lot of water, the condition of a young man deteriorated so much that he had to be admitted immediately. A 25-year-old young man kept drinking about 5 liters of water throughout the day, yet within a few hours his condition deteriorated so much that he had to be admitted to the ICU. This incident shows how important it is to hydrate the body properly in summer.

What happened to that young man?

According to the report, the 25-year-old youth was working on a bike throughout the day in the scorching heat. Like many young people, he also felt that it was right to drink more water. So he filled his bottle frequently and drank about 5 liters of water throughout the day, but he did not eat anything solid. Took no fruits, no electrolyte drinks and no salt drinks. Due to which by evening he started feeling dizzy and feeling like vomiting which he ignored considering it to be fatigue and then gradually his condition started worsening. His speech also slowed down and he started getting confused, after which he was immediately taken to the hospital. Where the doctors examined and found that the level of sodium in the young man’s body had reduced significantly. Normal level is 135–145 mEq/L, but his level had fallen to 124. This condition is called hyponatremia. This happens when salt is lost from the body through sweat and is compensated only by water. Due to this the balance of the body gets disturbed.

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Real reason: Lack of salt in the body

During investigation, doctors found that the level of sodium in the young man’s body had reduced significantly. Normal level is 135–145 mEq/L, but his level had fallen to 124. This condition is called hyponatremia. This happens when salt is lost from the body through sweat and is compensated only by water. Due to this the balance of the body gets disturbed. It’s not just about one person. Across India, where temperatures often reach 44 to 47 degrees in summer, heat-related problems in hospitals are also on the rise.

Why is this situation dangerous?

Sweating is the body’s way of keeping itself cool. When sweat dries from the skin, body heat is reduced and temperature remains regulated. But sweat is not just water. It also contains salt and essential minerals like sodium, potassium and chloride. Sodium is essential for water balance in the body and proper functioning of the brain. When its quantity decreases, water starts entering the cells, due to which the brain cells can swell. Initially, symptoms like headache, fatigue, dizziness and vomiting are seen, but if the condition becomes serious, it can lead to unconsciousness, seizures and coma.

What is the correct way of hydration?

If the lack of water in the body is not compensated properly, the problem may increase further. In summer in India it is often said to “drink more water”, but this is not completely correct. Drinking water alone does not fulfill the deficiency of essential salt and electrolytes in the body. If you drink more water but do not take salt, sodium in the blood may decrease, which can be dangerous. Therefore, not only water, but also drinks which contain electrolytes are necessary, so that the body’s balance is maintained. Like coconut water, lemon water, buttermilk, ORS, fruit juices so that the body keeps getting salt and minerals. Besides, eating on time and protection from sunlight are also important.

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What Happens If You Don’t Drink Enough Water: Most of us consider drinking water as a very simple thing. If you felt thirsty, you picked up the glass, if you didn’t, you left it. But the kidney does not tolerate such carelessness. These small organs purify the blood, remove toxins from the body, maintain electrolyte balance and control fluid levels. When the body does not get enough water, the kidneys have to work harder. It is not just a matter of fatigue, but in the long run the risk of stones, urine infection and chronic kidney disease can increase. Let us tell you what experts say about this and what kind of precautions we need to take.

What is the misconception among people regarding water?

Many people believe that drinking tea, coffee or juice throughout the day is enough. Whereas drinks containing caffeine and sugar can remove water from the body rapidly. Another misconception is that drink water only when you feel thirsty. The truth is that by the time one feels thirsty, the body has become slightly dehydrated and the pressure on the kidneys has increased. On the other hand, some people drink more water than required, thinking that more water is always beneficial. But drinking three to four liters or more of water in a very short period of time can be dangerous. This can cause the sodium level in the blood to fall, which is called hyponatremia. In severe cases, it can cause swelling in the brain, seizures or even coma.

What do doctors say?

Urologist Dr Ajay Aggarwal told TOI that kidneys need a balanced amount of water. Too little or too much, both are harmful. Continuously drinking less water makes urine thick, which increases the risk of stones and infection. At the same time, in people suffering from diabetes or heart disease, taking excessive fluid can put additional pressure on the body.

Who should drink how much water?

Experts say that the rule of 8 glasses of water does not apply to everyone. Generally women need about 2.2 liters of fluid and men need 3 liters of fluid, but this depends on weather, sweat, exercise and health condition. Urine color indicates good urine quality, light yellow color indicates proper hydration, very dark color indicates lack of water and completely clear color can indicate excess intake.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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How Much Water Should You Drink Daily: Water is one of the most essential nutrients for the body, but people often ignore its importance. Drinking the right amount of water is very important to improve digestion, deliver nutrients to the body, keep body temperature balanced and remove waste materials from the body. Water also helps in maintaining electrolyte balance in the body. Apart from this, it lubricates the joints, due to which body activities can be done easily.

According to a TOI report, Aman Puri says that drinking adequate amount of water is very important for good health. Generally, a healthy person is advised to drink about 2 to 3 liters i.e. about 8 glasses of water a day. However, the need for water may be different for every person. It depends on many factors like age, gender, physical activity, weather and health condition.

Can tea, coffee or juice fulfill the water requirement?

Many people believe that drinking tea, coffee or juice also compensates for the lack of water in the body. Although this is not completely correct. Tea and coffee contain high amounts of caffeine, which can increase dehydration in the body. Whereas packaged juices or sweetened beverages contain more sugar and calories, which can be harmful for health. Similarly, carbonated drinks also contain high amounts of caffeine and sugar, which can have the opposite effect instead of hydrating the body properly.

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Which water is better?

If someone does not like to drink plain water, then it can be drunk by adding some flavor to it. Infused water i.e. flavored water is considered a very good option. Water can be made more refreshing by adding things like lemon, mint, ginger, cinnamon, fennel or turmeric to it. This not only improves the taste of water, but the body also gets the benefit of antioxidants.

Fruit and Vegetable Flavors

Apart from this, light flavored drinks made from fruits and vegetables can also help in keeping the body hydrated. Drinking things like orange, berries, apple, cucumber, beetroot and carrot mixed in water can be a good option. This provides essential nutrients to the body and also boosts metabolism. There are some fruits and vegetables which have high water content. Foods like watermelon, cantaloupe, orange, strawberry, tomato, lettuce and celery help in keeping the body hydrated. Therefore, including these also in the diet can be beneficial.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

Check out below Health Tools-
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Calculate The Age Through Age Calculator