Did you know drinking too much water can actually be harmful to your health? Too much hydration can lead to health issues, mood swings and even an unstable mental state. The purpose of this article is not to provide sensational shock value, but to provide you with accurate information so you can make intelligent decisions when it comes to your daily water intake.
So with the warm summer weather approaching many will be reaching for water to quench their thirst. However, before you drink, keep this information in mind.
Drinking water is a natural and healthy urge however like other cravings if it is left unchecked it can have a big negative impact. For example, over hydration can actually lead to excessive thirst and a dry mouth.
So let’s take a closer look at “water poisoning” or “water intoxication”.
Click Here to download a free copy of the 10-Day Body Detox
What is Water Intoxication?
Basically, water intoxication occurs when an individual drinks too much water and this can cause dilution of other nutrients in the body so they can’t do their job properly. One area that is affected by water poisoning are the electrolytes. Electrolytes are salt ions, atoms that either have a positive or negative charge. This is what allows nerve communication and fluids to move throughout the body. Without a proper balance of electrolytes the body can’t send messages or fluids to keep everything functioning properly.
Water Intoxication can cause dilution and create an improper balance and a condition called hyponatremia. This condition is when the sodium level in your blood is unusually low. As the sodium level in your body is diluted and water levels begin to rise, the individual cells actually begin to swell.
Symptoms of Water Intoxication
Here are some of the symptoms of hyponatremia
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Disorientation
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle cramps and weakness
- Coma
- Mood swings
Causes of Water Intoxication
Sodium is vital to maintaining a healthy body and healthy lifestyle. It helps to maintain healthy blood pressure levels, keeps your muscles and nerves operation, helps your cells to communicate and regulates fluid levels. The normal range for bodily sodium levels range between 135 and 145 millequivalents per liter of sodium. Water intoxication occurs when the sodium levels in your body fall below the 135 marker.
One of the best ways to know your sodium level is to consult with your doctor or health care provide. They will be able to take blood samples and tell you the levels of sodium.
Conditions and Lifestyle that May Lead to Water Intoxication
There are several possible conditions and factors that may lead to hyponatremia. Check out this brief list below:
- Diarrhea or severe vomiting. Both of these activities causes your body to loss fluids rapidly, thus leading to a rapid loss of electrolytes (sodium).
- Organ Problems: Organs like the heart, kidney or liver can lead to the accumulation of fluids in your body. This can cause dilution of the sodium levels.
- Some medications: Medications that causes you to perspire or urinate more like water pills or antidepressants.
- Taking Ecstasy: Excessive sweating causes the body to loss salt, while research indicates Ecstasy users drink excessive amounts of water, thus diluting the balance of electrolytes.
- Dehydration: When your body gets dehydrated, your body actually loses fluids and electrolytes.
- Drinking too much water: Excessive drinking of water due to physical exercise including marathons or triathlons or simply guzzling too much water during a short amount of time during hot.
Extreme Examples of Water Intoxication
Unfortunately, in 2007, 28-year old Jennifer Strange passed away shortly after winning a radio station contest. The contestants were asked to drink water without having to take a trip to the bathroom. The autopsy revealed that Ms. Strange passed away from drinking too much water too quickly.
Another example was in 2008. A 40-year old British woman, by the name of Jacqueline Henson passed away after drinking as part of her diet plan. According to published reports, she drank four liters of water within two hours.
Action Steps:
The first step would be contact your doctor if you are suffer from any of the conditions mentioned above. Also, prior to taking part in any physical exercise routine consult your doctor. Finally, keep in mind the amount of water you consume during the upcoming hot summer days.
Make sure to download a free copy of the 10-Day Body Detox
References:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bradford/7779079.stm
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/16614865/ns/us_news-life/t/woman-dies-after-water-drinking-contest/#.U4TGTZUU-Uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_MDMA_on_the_human_body
