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What's the secret to every celebrity's glowing skin? Hydration.
What is the key to maintaining good health and fitness? Drink lots of water.
What is the most important advice from any health professional? Always stay hydrated.
We often hear from social media or parents reminding (or scolding) the importance of drinking water. But it is also important to know that drinking too much water can be dangerous. While it's important to stay hydrated, it's important to find the right balance. Water intoxication, also known as hyponatremia, occurs when you drink large amounts of water in a short period of time, reducing the sodium concentration in your blood. Sodium is an important electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance inside and outside cells. If the kidneys cannot remove excess water effectively, the excess water enters the cells and causes them to swell. Sodium is an important electrolyte responsible for nerve signaling, muscle function and fluid balance. In the absence of sufficient sodium, it is difficult for the body to maintain normal cell function, which affects many organs. The kidneys can only filter 0.8-1 liter of water per hour. Drinking more fluids can cause water retention and blood thinning.
When fluid intake is increased, fluid enters the bloodstream and dilutes the electrolyte concentration. This dilution changes the fluid that transports water into the cells. This cell swelling affects all tissues, including vital organs such as the brain. Because the brain is enclosed in the skull, it cannot expand as much, resulting in increased intracranial pressure called cerebral edema. This increases intracranial pressure and leads to headaches, confusion, seizures, coma and even death. In severe cases, water poisoning can be life-threatening, especially if left untreated. Cerebral edema can result in a fracture, in which the brain is compressed and pressed against the base of the skull, which can be fatal.
According to experts, symptoms of water poisoning can range from mild to severe, depending on how quickly the symptoms progress. Symptoms include:
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Confusion and confusion
fatigue
Cramps and muscle spasms
Seizures (in severe cases)
Coma (in severe cases)
It is important to note that these symptoms are primarily caused by brain swelling caused by fluid entering the brain cells.
To understand if your water intake is higher than your body needs, look for these early signs:
Urinary frequency
Clear urine (early sign of overhydration)
Headache, nausea or dizziness
Swelling of hands, feet and face
If you experience water poisoning, it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately. You should stop drinking the water immediately and seek medical attention immediately to restore electrolyte balance. Sodium-containing fluids are often administered intravenously. In more severe cases, diuretics may be used to remove excess fluid. Correction of sodium levels should be done carefully. Rapid correction can lead to dangerous complications such as central pontine myelinolysis (CPM). However, people who exercise or sweat a lot need more fluids, and people in hot or dry climates should increase their fluid intake to compensate for fluid loss.