Can drinking too much water kill you? Know about water intoxication that killed a woman in US

Can drinking too much water kill you? Know about water intoxication that killed a woman in US

New Delhi: It is now and then recommended that you must stay hydrated for almost all body problems. Water is thought to be that one-stop solution that may help to fight and deal with multiple health conditions. But how much is the limit especially in this fierce heatwave? There’s no doubt about the benefits of water consumption but sometimes overconsumption can be dangerous. Overconsumption can lead to a condition called ‘Water Intoxication’.

In a recent incident, a woman and mother of three kids died after drinking too much water too fast, according to Inside Edition. As per reports, she experienced water intoxication. What is water intoxication that can even kill you?

What is water intoxication?

Our body becomes overhydrated in two ways one, by drinking excess water or if your kidneys retain too much water. Overconsumption of water can lead to water toxicity, also known as water poisoning. Water toxicity generally happens when the water volume becomes too large for the kidneys to excrete which can cause the electrolytes in the body to dilute.

During this process, when the amount of salt in the body becomes too diluted, a person develops hyponatremia. As per reports, this is one of the major concerns of overhydration. Additionally, when the sodium levels in the body is highly reduced fluids tend to move into the cells causing inflammation.

Symptoms of water intoxication

Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Fatigue
Confusion
Muscle cramping or weakness

But how much is too much water consumption?

To quench the thirst, there is no set limit on water consumption, it depends on how much a person wants to drink but as per reports our kidneys can process about only one litre of fluid per hour. Hence any amount more than that can be risky.

How to prevent water intoxication?

Water intoxication can be prevented by balancing the amount of water intake according to the body’s requirements. You may follow these simple tips:

Avoid forcing yourself: Thirst is the natural indicator of water intake hence, drink water when you are thirsty and do not force yourself to have large quantities.

Check the colour of the urine: One of the most significant signs of hydration is the colour of the urine. If the urine colour is light yellow or pale yellow indicates that you need to drink more water. On the other hand, if your urine colour is dark yellow then it is a sign that your body is overhydrated.

 In a recent incident, a woman and mother of three kids died after drinking too much water too fast, according to Inside Edition. As per reports, she experienced water intoxication. What is water intoxication that can even kill you and know how much water you should drink    Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare