10 Dangers Of Drinking Too Much Water On Your Health

Gulping down too much water can lead to some pretty unexpected health issues.Water gives life and is essential for better health. But are you aware of the side effects of drinking too much water? Overhydration causes water intoxication also known as dilutional hyponatremia and hinder normal brain functions. Read on to learn about the symptoms of water intoxication and how to reverse it.......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>

What Is Water Intoxication?

Water intoxication, also known as overhydration or water poisoning, is a life-threatening condition caused by drinking too much water. It is characterized by electrolyte imbalance or low sodium concentration in blood (less than 135 mEq/L), which is known as hyponatremia .

Overhydration symptoms include confusion, nausea, vomiting, headache, irregular heartbeat, difficulty concentrating, and disorientation. Severe cases of water intoxication may also lead to coma or death.

1. Causes Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia is a decrease in sodium levels below 135 mEq/L blood serum. It happens due to rapid overhydration. Sodium is an important salt that helps in cell signaling and various other functions in the body. So, when your serum sodium levels drop, you start feeling nauseous, disoriented, fatigued, or get a headache. In severe cases, it might also lead to death. Hyponatremia may also occur if you have underlying health conditions like heart, liver, or kidney issues, where water regulation is compromised .So, if you have any of these conditions, it is recommended to be mindful of your daily water intake.

2. Causes The Cells To Swell Up

When the sodium level in your body decreases, water enters the cell through the semipermeable cell membrane through the process of osmosis. This results in swelling up of the cells. The swelling of the body cells (including the brain) causes serious damage to the muscle tissues, organs, and brain.

3. May Cause Diarrhea

Overhydration may result in severe diarrhea and prolonged sweating.It is caused due to hypokalemia or a decrease in potassium ions. The balance between intracellular and extracellular potassium ions is hampered when you drink too much water. In fact, a mere 1% change in potassium ion distribution can lead to a whopping 50% change in plasma potassium ion concentration .

4. Affects The Brain

Hyponatremia or sodium deficiency in the blood can lead to the swelling of the brain. This, in turn, results in speech disability, disorientation, walking instability, psychosis, and even death.

5. Over burdens The Heart

Overhydration may lead to heart failure in people undergoing dialysis. The heart performs the vital function of pumping blood through your entire body. When you consume too much water, it increases the volume of blood inside your body. The increased blood volume exerts unnecessary pressure on the blood vessels and heart. It may also sometimes lead to seizures and brain damage.

6. Over burdens The Kidneys

Overhydration may cause acute kidney injury. High water intake also lowers plasma levels of arginine vasopressin, which helps preserve kidney function . Consuming too much water can put pressure on your kidneys to function constantly. Your kidneys can filter about a liter of fluid per hour from the body. Beyond that, they need to work extra hard to maintain homeostasis.

7. May Cause Liver Problems

It is important to note that this problem is not caused by merely drinking too much water. Rather, it happens by drinking too much water with iron in it. Iron overload is not exactly detrimental, but in rare cases, it may cause lover related problems . People with liver cirrhosis are prone to developing hyponatremia.

It may also affect other organs of the digestive system. There are certain problems in the work of the pancreas and gallbladder. As a result of a decrease in bile secretion, food is digested much worse. It is worth listening to the opinion of endocrinologists. According to them, too much water leads to a glut of moisture in the thyroid and pancreas. As a result, they cannot fully participate in metabolic processes, and therefore, the body does not have enough energy.

8. Frequent Urination

Frequent urination, say once in every 15 minutes, can be really frustrating, whether you are at home, work, or school. When you drink too much water, your kidneys function constantly. As a result, you need to rush to the washroom again and again.

9. Poses The Risk Of Chlorine Overdose
Chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water. But, drinking too much water can put you at risk of chlorine overdose. When that happens, you are at risk of developing bladder and colorectal cancers.

10. Potential Risk Of Coma

The brain and visceral organ damage that your body goes through as a result of water intoxication can lead to coma and, in some cases, death. Therefore, do not drink too much water within a short window of time.

For some people, drinking water on an empty stomach can cause an upset stomach, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and even diarrhea. This is because it can dilute the stomach acids, leading to indigestion. Additionally, drinking too much water can cause your stomach to become bloated due to the high volume of liquid in the stomach