How much water is too much?
Many decades ago, scientists told us to drink 8 glasses of water. Or did they? Considering we get a big chunk of our daily water requirement from food and fruits we eat, how much water do we really need to drink? This question is best answered by our body’s natural thirst mechanism. So, the key is to drink water when you feel thirsty – no more, no less!
Today, there are numerous brands that provide water in colorful packaging. Energy drinks are popular among athletes because they come with Sodium and other minerals included. According a new study, athletes are at a high risk of over-hydration.
Factors that affect the amount of water required
Some factors that determine the right amount of water are weather conditions, gender, age and height as well as one’s level of physical activity. In some cases, athletes drink too much water leading to over-hydration or water intoxication. For some patients suffering from over-hydration, the problem is that they are drinking more water than their kidneys can process and dispose of in the form of urine. In other cases, the body retains too much water leading to an awfully disproportionate levels of water and sodium ratio. Diabetic people tend to feel symptoms such as dry mouth and thirst leading them to drink water excessively. Very rarely, some people drink too much water due to an obsessive compulsive disorder or schizophrenia.
Symptoms of over-hydration
Symptoms can range depending on the severity of the condition, from nausea and vomiting to coma, which can lead to death. Other symptoms include muscle weakness, seizures, unconsciousness and muscle spasms or cramps as well as rapid breathing, headaches, confusion, disorientation, restlessness and lethargy. Brain cells are the most affected by over-hydration. If the over-hydration happens over a relatively long period of time, the brain cells are able to adapt to the change. But if it happens quickly and the brain doesn’t get a chance to adapt, over-hydration can lead to coma or even death. The colour of one’s urine is also a good indicator of how hydrated we are—if it’s orange, the body is dehydrated, if it’s yellow, it’s normal and if it’s clear, the body is over-hydrated.
Ways to treat over-hydration
If you feel that you’ve had too much fluids, take a break from drinking water for one to two hours. Additionally, you could have something salty to eat. The salt in the food will help to balance the levels of electrolytes and water. If worse comes to worst, you may have to get hospitalized and be prescribed with diuretics. For some athletes, the condition has worsened to the point of no return. This extreme condition is known as hyponatremia and it occurs when the levels of sodium in a person is abnormally low leading to higher water retention and, in turn, the swelling of cells. Education is also important in preventing over-hydration. For instance, the myth that low intake of water causes muscle cramps amongst athletes has been long debunked but some people still connect the two. Conditions such as over-hydration remind us our bodies’ need for balance in order to achieve optimal health.