Can Drinking Too Much Water Be Dangerous: During summer, we often believe that drinking as much water as possible is the easiest way to keep the body healthy. But is just drinking water enough? A recent case completely changes this thinking. Let us tell you what experts say about this.

What do experts say?

Dr. Rommel Tikku told the Indian Express that a 25-year-old youth kept roaming here and there on a bike in the sun all day. He drank about 5 liters of water to keep himself hydrated, but did not eat anything throughout the day. No fruits, no salty drinks, just plain water, initially he felt slight dizziness and nausea, which he ignored as fatigue. But within a few hours the condition worsened, problems like difficulty in speaking, excessive sleep and confusion started. Investigation revealed that the sodium level in his body had fallen dangerously low. This is called acute hyponatremia.

Why does this happen?

This is not a single case. With the increasing heat across the country, such cases are increasingly coming to light, where people drink a lot of water, but fall ill due to lack of essential minerals. Actually, sweat is not just water, sodium, potassium and other essential elements are also released in it. When these elements keep decreasing from the body and we keep drinking only water, then their balance in the blood gets disturbed. This situation becomes dangerous.

What problem does sodium deficiency cause?

Sodium deficiency is especially dangerous for the brain. When its level falls, the body cells start filling with water, which increases swelling. Initially symptoms like headache, fatigue, dizziness and confusion appear, but if care is not taken, this condition can lead to seizures or unconsciousness. On the other hand, if a person does not drink enough water, the sodium level in the body may increase. This is called hypernatremia, in which the cells of the body start shrinking. Its symptoms can include thirst, dry mouth, irritability and in severe cases even seizures.

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Potassium is also important

Potassium is equally important, but it is often ignored. Its deficiency can cause muscle weakness, cramps and heart beat disturbances. Therefore, in summer it is not enough to just drink water, but it is equally important to maintain the balance of essential elements in the body. Buttermilk, salt-sugar in lemon water, coconut water and a balanced diet help in meeting this deficiency.

Keep these things in mind

Dr. Romel Tikku says that drinking water properly is the real protection. It is important to take breaks from time to time, avoid strong sunlight and not ignore the body’s signals. It is important to understand that the body needs balanced nutrition and not just water. If we ignore this small thing, it can turn into a big problem.

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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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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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Water is very important for our life. It not only keeps our body hydrated, but is also essential for digestion, blood flow, controlling body temperature and proper functioning of the brain. We often hear that drinking eight glasses of water a day or that water is important, but do you know that drinking too much water can also be dangerous. In such a situation, let us tell you today what will happen if you drink a lot of water at one go and how dangerous doing so is for our health.

What will happen if you drink a lot of water at once?

Drinking too much at one time, especially too much in a short period of time, can deplete electrolytes such as sodium in the body. When sodium levels become unbalanced, it can cause serious conditions like water intoxication or hyponatremia. In this condition, the cells of the body start swelling with water and the pressure on the brain increases, which can sometimes become a threat to life. Although this condition is very rare in common people, it is more common in people who are athletes and do sports or exercise for long periods of time, suffer from certain diseases and drink a lot of water continuously without feeling thirsty.

How dangerous is it for our health to do this

1. Continuous discharge of clear urine – If your urine is consistently colorless and clear, it is a sign that the body is getting more water than it needs. Light yellow urine is usually a sign of proper hydration, but persistently clear urine may indicate that electrolytes are imbalanced.

2. Urinating early – Urinating more than 8 to 10 times a day can be a sign that the kidneys are working harder to remove extra water. This can also cause deficiency of electrolytes in the body.

3. Nausea, vomiting and dizziness – Drinking too much water causes sodium deficiency in the body, which causes nausea, sometimes vomiting and dizziness. This is often confused with dehydration, whereas it is caused by excessive water intake.

4. Headache due to brain swelling – When sodium decreases in the body, water goes into the brain cells. Due to this, there is swelling in the brain and severe headache starts.

5. Confusion and brain fog – Excess water can affect the normal functioning of the brain. Such people may feel confused, have trouble focusing, irritable or tired.

6. Swelling and change in skin color – Swelling may appear in the hands, legs, lips and face of the body. The skin may appear dull or stretched because excess water accumulates in the cells and tissue.

7. Fatigue and physical weakness – The kidneys work extra hard to remove excess water, making the body feel tired and weak.

8. Muscle cramps – Due to lack of electrolytes, muscle cramps, jerks or tremors may be felt.

9. Risk of seizures – In severe cases, sodium levels may drop rapidly, leading to seizures, fainting, or sudden loss of consciousness.

10. Difficulty in breathing – Swelling of the brain can affect the respiratory system. This can make breathing difficult and can quickly become fatal.

how much water to drink

According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), every person’s water needs are different. It depends on age, body size, activity and season. Generally, adult women should drink about 2.7 liters of water per day and adult men should drink about 3.7 liters of water per day. The amount of water should be taken according to thirst.

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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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Effect of drinking excessive water: You must have heard this since childhood, “Drink more water, the better.” Drinking water on an empty stomach in the morning, drinking sip-sip water every hour, has now become a part of healthy lifestyle. But what if we tell you that there is also a disease in which this nectar becomes equal water poison? Drinking more water in some conditions can deteriorate the balance of the body and it can also prove to be fatal. Know which disease of which disease …

Let me tell you, most people are not aware that, due to this disease, you should not drink much water. Now you must be thinking that doctors recommend drinking water the most for every disease, then what is the disease in which water can become poison.

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What is this disease?

This condition is called hyponatremia, in which sodium levels in the body are reduced abnormally. Sodium is essential for body liquid balance and muscle functioning. When you drink excess water, the amount of water in the body increases, but the sodium becomes thin and reduces. This can swell cells, especially brain cells, which can be dangerous.

What are the symptoms of hyponatramia

Persistent tiredness

Vomit

Headache or dizziness

Muscle cramps

Excessive sweating and weakness

Go in a serious condition

What to do?

Drink water according to thirst, not forcefully.

Do not drink too much water simultaneously, but should drink a little bit throughout the day.

If you do sports, you can take ORS, lemonade, coconut water.

Kidney or heart patients drink water according to the advice of the doctor.

Where water is life, it can also be fatal in some circumstances. It is important that we understand our health and physical needs. Instead of following “more water is good”, work wisely. Because due to negligence, we do not pay attention to our health, doing so can be risky for you and your family.

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Disclaimer: Some information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you must consult the concerned expert.

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