An excessive amount of of a superb factor can show harmful.
Whereas water is a kind of issues individuals flip to enhance their total well being, and though social media is awash with wellness developments involving gigantic water bottles, consuming an excessive amount of water can result in scary well being penalties.
That is what occurred to actor Brooke Shields when she suffered a seizure in 2023. Recounting her expertise, she later mentioned: “I flooded my system, and I drowned myself.”
In 2007, a girl in California died after attempting to drink extra water than fellow contestants aiming to win a Wii online game console in a radio competitors.
Not too long ago, 41-year-old Queensland authorities officer Nina Munro shared with numerous information shops that she practically died after consuming an excessive amount of water to strive rid herself of a chilly.
Hydrating whereas sick
In accordance with Dr Vini Fernandes Cruzat, a lecturer in Anatomy and Physiology on the Southern Cross College on the Gold Coast, whereas it is not uncommon apply to hydrate extra whereas sick, Munro’s situation worsened due to “a mixture of unhealthy elements”.
“She [Munro] drank extreme quantities of water mixed with medicines. Some medicines can open the sodium pumps of the kidneys, permitting extra sodium to be excreted within the urine,” Cruzat mentioned.
“She mentioned that she already would drink a variety of water, which follows our pointers … so there’s nothing flawed with that. However, when she began to really feel sick six weeks earlier than she went to the hospital, she was really useful to drink much more water with out understanding that her sodium ranges have been already dropping.”
Cruzat shared that consuming an excessive amount of water in a brief period of time might result in overhydration progressing to hyponatremia — or low blood sodium ranges — which then leads to water intoxication or water poisoning.
What does consuming an excessive amount of water do to the physique?
Cruzat mentioned: “Hyponatremia is a situation we generally see in athletes. Nonetheless, as a result of athletes practice so much, they know that there’s a threat of an imbalance of water and electrolytes. They’re conscious of the suggestions to watch out with their sodium ranges.”
When hyponatremia happens, fluids get into the cells within the physique — together with mind cells — which then results in swelling.
When mind cells swell, the stress can result in complications, drowsiness and/or confusion. Because the stress will increase, situations reminiscent of hypertension (hypertension) and bradycardia, or a low coronary heart charge, can happen.
“Any regulation within the physique can be troublesome with out sodium. You want it for chemical signalling, for nutrient and water change within the physique…” she mentioned.
What are the indicators of overhydration?
Indicators of early or delicate overhydration might not readily be obvious, however colourless urine could also be an indicator.
Signs of water intoxication are extra apparent, together with nausea and vomiting, complications, confusion or disorientation, drowsiness and muscle cramps.
“It may be onerous to find out all indicators, however complications, nausea, and vomiting are the primary indicators of hyponatremia,” Cruzat mentioned.
“Feeling drained with out doing something exhaustive is one other one [to watch out for].”
Dehydration versus overhydration: which is worse?
Whereas dehydration and overhydration each have severe implications for an individual’s well being, Cruzat mentioned dehydration could also be extra harmful due to how frequent it’s.
Dehydration happens when the physique loses extra fluids than it takes in and leads to a scarcity of much-needed electrolytes.
“Overyhydration is a really particular and uncommon state of affairs. For water intoxication to happen, a number of elements need to be there. And reminiscent of within the case of Ms Munro, she progressively bought worse as her sodium ranges went down,” she mentioned.
“Particularly going into summer season, individuals get extra dehydrated than overhydrated. You may have related signs of an imbalance, however it’s far more frequent.”
How a lot water must you truly be consuming?
“To be quite simple, we are saying you ought to be consuming three litres of water a day, however to be extra particular, it’s sometimes 2.6 litres a day,” Cruzat mentioned.
A chart on the typical quantity of water individuals must be consuming in a day. Supply: SBS Information
Whereas these are the overall pointers for each day water consumption, elements reminiscent of climate, bodily exertion, bodily construct, and bladder dimension additionally have an effect on the quantity of water an individual ought to drink.
Finally, correct hydration is all about steadiness.
“No well being company on the earth has mentioned that you simply’re not alleged to drink, 4, 5 litres of water a day as a result of sometimes if you drink extra, you urinate extra,” Cruzat mentioned.
He mentioned an individual can steadiness their water consumption by including a bit extra sodium to their food plan.
“Lots of people relate sodium to heart problems and kidney illness, however sodium is necessary to the physique. Do not do it in extra, in fact, however you need to guarantee you could have [adequate levels of it].
“If you happen to’re anxious about overhydration, it is best to speak to your GP or a nutritionist to get your sodium ranges checked and to provide you correct steerage.”
