Table of contents:
- Drinking too much water can upset the ion balance
- Symptoms that occur in the body when "water poisoning" is due to drinking too much
- What causes someone to be overhydrated?
- 1. Drink lots of water on purpose
- 2. Drinking too much water on the grounds of preventing dehydration
- 3. The desire to drink water due to disease conditions
- 4. Has schizophrenia
- 5. Other medical conditions
- How to deal with overhydration
- What is the maximum limit of water intake in a day?
As we know, most of our body consists of H2O liquid so it is very important for the body to have sufficient water levels. Water is present in the bloodstream, filling cells and cavities between cells. The body also regulates water expenditure to maintain balance. However, what happens if the body contains too much water?
Drinking too much water can upset the ion balance
In fact, not all the water we drink has the ions the body needs, whereas the ions often come out with sweat in the form of salt. Consuming too much water, without increasing the balance of salt intake from both food and drink, will reduce the concentration of salt in the blood. The concentration of salt in the bloodstream itself is needed to keep blood pressure, muscles and nerves working normally. Salt in the blood also affects the work of the kidneys in regulating water storage and prevents the body from storing too much water.
Normal salt concentrations in the blood range from 135-145 mmol / liter. Consuming too much water can reduce the concentration of blood salts to about 115-130 mmol and trigger various decreases in blood function because it becomes more fluid.
Symptoms that occur in the body when "water poisoning" is due to drinking too much
Drinking too much water in a short time can lead to water poisoning or overhydration. This condition begins with water retention in the body because the kidneys cannot regulate water, due to an ion imbalance. Water that cannot be re-absorbed is absorbed in the bloodstream, and eventually the body which stores too much water causes the enlargement of various body cells, thus interfering with the function of the cells themselves.
If the enlargement of the cells occurs in the brain cells, it can cause the pressure in the skull to increase. This triggers various early symptoms of water poisoning such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms can progress to temporary cognitive decline such as feeling confused, having trouble thinking, and experiencing disorientation.
In more serious cases, water poisoning also causes muscle cramps and difficulty breathing along with brain failure. Serious brain swelling can also occur due to cells retaining too much water, leading to seizures and even death.
What causes someone to be overhydrated?
It is very difficult for someone to accidentally consume too much water, because water is not addictive. However, there are several reasons someone drinks too much water and leads to a state of overdehydration.
1. Drink lots of water on purpose
It has been recorded before that someone drank a lot of water to win a contest or a game. Without realizing it, excess water consumption causes poisoning and eventually leads to death.
2. Drinking too much water on the grounds of preventing dehydration
This condition is often experienced by athletes or soldiers while undergoing training with strenuous physical activity. However, this can actually lead to overdehydration. This is because when you are stressed, the body has its own mechanism to regulate fluid secretion by secreting antidiuretic hormones, so that the body can store more fluids, and excess water consumption will only cause overhydration.
3. The desire to drink water due to disease conditions
This can occur in individuals who have diabetes or are undergoing treatment with side effects that trigger dry mouth. The desire to drink or thirst is not a sign when the body is experiencing a lack of fluids but only the body's response to disturbances, and drinking too much water can still lead to overhydration.
4. Has schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental condition that makes it difficult for a person to stop doing something, including consuming water. If this happens it will be very dangerous for the schizophrenic person because he is unaware and unable to stop drinking water alone.
5. Other medical conditions
In addition, symptoms of overdehydration without drinking too much water can also be caused by several diseases that trigger more water retention, such as:
- Liver disease
- Kidney illness
- Congestive heart failure
- Impaired anti-diuretic hormone secretion
How to deal with overhydration
Overhydration is often characterized by nausea and dizziness immediately after drinking too much water. To prevent it from getting worse, immediately stop water consumption in the future and give diuretic drugs to trigger the discharge of fluids through the urine. Symptoms of headaches, seizures, and nausea can be overcome by providing treatment according to the symptoms experienced by the sufferer.
What is the maximum limit of water intake in a day?
One of the reasons a person drinks too much water in too short a time is when they feel excessively thirsty after exercise or strenuous physical activity. To avoid this, consume water 15-30 minutes before physical activity to avoid drinking too much after physical activity. Avoid drinking more than one liter of water in an hour.
The daily water requirement for normal people is generally only about 3.7 liters of water for men, and 2.7 of water for women, and this includes the water content of other foods and beverages. In addition, the easiest and safest way to meet adequate drinking water is to immediately drink enough water whenever you feel thirsty.
