Drinking Too Much Water? Know 5 Side Effects Of Overhydration

‘Drink sufficient water’ is one thing all of us have grown up listening to. The significance of water and hydration wants no introduction. It retains up the physique’s water steadiness and helps flush out toxins, resulting in general nourishment. But do you know that consuming an excessive amount of water can work negatively on our physique? You heard us. Parmeet Kaur, senior dietician at Narayana Hospital in Gurugram, states, “Drinking excess water than normal tends to increase your total blood volume and also pressures your kidneys into working overtime so as to filter excess water out of your circulatory system.” This could over-burden the center, enhance abdomen irritation and trigger water intoxication.

Also Read: Drink Warm Water Before Bed For A Healthy Living

What Is Water Intoxication?

As per consultants, water intoxication is a situation that happens from consuming an excessive amount of water. It upsets the electrolyte balances within the physique and may lower sodium ranges within the blood, resulting in a situation known as hyponatremia.

What Are The Symptoms Of Water Intoxication Or Overhydration?

The widespread signs of hyponatremia resulting from intoxication are:

Nausea:

People consuming extra water usually will get drowsy and appears like vomiting as a result of electrolyte imbalance within the physique.

Headache:

People expertise throbbing headache all by way of the day. Excess water within the physique causes the physique’s salt ranges to go down and the cells to swell, resulting in headache.

Disorientation:

Drinking an excessive amount of water causes your kidneys to work too onerous to take away the surplus quantity. This could make individuals really feel drained and disoriented at instances.

Discoloration of pores and skin:

With overhydration, you’ll discover swelling or discoloration of ft, fingers, and lips. Basically, with the swelling of the cells, you might also expertise some swelling in your pores and skin.

Also Read: Why You Shouldn’t Drink Water Immediately After Meals

How Much Water Is Too Much Water?

Health consultants and nutritionists counsel that our each day water consumption is determined by numerous components together with age, gender, physique weight, exercise ranges, metabolism, and drugs. In truth, the water consumption stage additionally relies upon a lot on our environmental situations.

How Much Water Should You Drink in a Day?

The Institute of Medicine has established pointers for satisfactory water consumption, which state – a wholesome grownup should drink about 9 to 13 cups of fluid per day on common.

Here’re 5 Side Effects Of Drinking Too Much Water:

1. Hyponatremia:

As talked about earlier, consuming extra water could lower the sodium stage within the physique. This well being situation is known as hyponatremia. People with coronary heart and kidney situations are dubbed to be at larger danger of hyponatremia.

2. Muscle Cramps:

A examine revealed within the BMJ states that extra water consumption dilutes sodium and different electrolytes within the blood, thus reducing sodium situations within the physique. Lower sodium ranges within the physique could additional result in well being points like muscle cramps.

3. Frequent Urination:

Excess water consumption results in extra urination; which means, the kidneys work continually whenever you devour an excessive amount of water. This additional dehydrates the physique and creates water imbalance. Besides, research counsel, frequent urination provides stress to our kidneys.

4. Affect Liver:

Water, which regularly accommodates excessive iron content material, could have an effect on the liver negatively. We know the physique wants iron to move oxygen within the blood. We typically get iron from meals that simply will get absorbed within the physique; nonetheless, it’s precisely the alternative of water. The physique can’t simply take up iron from water, additional affecting liver well being.

5. Diarrhea:

Overhydration causes hypokalemia or a lower in potassium ranges within the physique. This could lead to diarrhea and extended sweating. According to a report on the Cleveland Clinic web site, hypokalemia usually impacts our digestive tract straight, which ends up in points like vomiting and diarrhea.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Overhydration?

Recovery from overhydration relies upon a lot on the severity of the signs. If the extent of water toxicity is excessive, then one should seek the advice of a well being professional for correct steerage and drugs. And at all times bear in mind, moderation is the important thing!

Disclaimer: This content material together with recommendation gives generic info solely. It is on no account an alternative to certified medical opinion. Always seek the advice of a specialist or your individual physician for extra info. NDTV doesn’t declare duty for this info.