Water-the sine qua non of life-makes up for Sixty percent for each person, running through our blood, inhabiting our cells and lurking between vacant spaces. Playing an intrinsic role within our physiology, it is essential for every single big and small reaction that can invest our system.
We lose water through sweat, urination, defecation as well as through our breath, and replenishing the lost stores is of utmost importance. Of all health advise we get bombarded with every day, drinking plentiful water (about 8 regarding 8 ounces) ranks the highest. But have you noticed who prescribed these measures? And so on what basis?
Water-The Indispensable Liquid, But what Expensive is Excessive?
Drinking enough water, it seems like, can resolve from wrinkles?and?forgetfulness?to all things in between, but will we get a little obsessive on drinking this fluid?
Paracelsus, the scientists who recommend the concept of ‘everything are usually dangerous, according to the dose’, had a large prospect of what he was, in truth, discussing. While modern science has since drifted from the this belief, it appears to be apparent that the saying holds solid ground when it comes to the ‘fluid of life’-water.
Yes, overhydration can be lethal! Dr Randy Wexler, associate professor of Family Medicine on the Pitt Wexner Hospital, says, “Consumption of too much water can result in the dilution of ions within your body, particularly sodium resulting in a disease called dilutional hyponatremia (low sodium). Whether it’s too severe, there may be fluid fluctuations while in the brain which might be ruinous.”
Kosta Kokolis, a professional physical therapist and board certified athletic trainer from the state of New York echoes with Dr Wexler adding, “Water poisoning/intoxication takes place when electrolyte balance while in the blood becomes below the safe limits. This is often caused when sodium, the key-indicating factor, drops below normal functional limits on account of excess intake of water. As well as common in marathon runners, and through endurance training, a result of the excessive thirst.”
In 2007, a 28-year-old California woman died after competing in a radio station’s on-air water-drinking contest. Following in close proximity to 6 liters water in barely three hours inside the “Hold Your Wee for just a Wii” (Nintendo gaming console) contest, Jennifer Strange, threw in the studio and went back home which includes a throbbing head and nausea and is discovered dead some hours later. So, yes, death by water, or more known water poisoning or hyponatremia, is officially known.
A YouTube video authored by the American Chemistry Society during the past year, mentions how sinking could be hazardous. It highlights it takes only about 6 liters of water to kill a 165-pound person.
Understanding Water Poisoning
In essence, hyponatremia means just ‘insufficient salt inside the blood’. A good blood strength sodium per liter falls inside collection of 135 to 145 millimoles. Within a event of hyponatremia, this concentration can shift below 135 millimoles and create problems.
The amount of water, salts along with solutes in the body’s assessed and controlled by our kidneys, who do so by sieving blood through their numerous twisted tubules. When one drinks too much of water over the short time, the kidneys cannot flush it quickly enough, producing retention of water inside the blood. However, this excess water quickly leaves the blood and is drawn to the regions the place that the strength salt is higher, majorly cells. This osmotic effect causes cellular matrix to increase the size of.
While most cells have the flexibility and room to stretch, some don’t-especially the neurons. Cognitive abilities are closely packed inside the skull and literally have zero space to stretch. “Rapid and severe hyponatremia may result in the entry water from the neurons which will cause the brain to swell. This swelling just isn’t best part about it as it will contribute to seizures, bradycardia, respiratory arrest, unconsciousness, coma and in many cases death”, explains Dr Wexler.
The common signs of water poisoning are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Confusion or Memory Loss
Tips To stop Hyponatremia
Kokolis advises, “Rather than worrying what amount is just too much, everyone ought to determine what their normal level of daily intake is. Being dedicated to the recommended guidelines is the best means of avoiding over-hydrating.”
He further adds, “While exercising make sure you balance what you’re drinking using what you’re sweating such as sports drinks in the process, that may also cause hyponatremia when consumed in excess. During exercise, you ought to increase drinking habits with regards to the level of the workout to match for fluid loss. With moderate to short exercise bouts, 1.5 cups to 2.5 cups are suggested.”
In summary, while too little water might be disastrous, far too much may be equally damaging. Occurs thirst being a barometer to be the reason for the amount of water you must drink. Using this method you are unable to risk either dehydration or over-hydration.
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References:
1 .Farrell DJ, Bower L. Fatal water intoxication. Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2003;56(10):803-804.
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