WATER INTOXICATION We are always told that drinking too much water is good for health. But you ever
heard that drinking too much of water may lead to some problem.
Drinking too much water will dilute the sodium in the body and can lead to water
intoxication. Water intoxication is generally found in athletes and the infants below six month. Athletes sweat heavily leading to loss of water and salt (electrolyte) from the body.
Water intoxication occurs when dehydrated person consumes lots of water without electrolyte.
Too much water enters the body’s cells and tissues swell due to excess fluid. Cells maintain specific
concentration. The excess water outside the cell draws sodium from within the cells out into the serum in a attempt to reestablish the necessary concentration. As water accumulates the concentration of serum sodium drops. This condition is known as hyponatremia.
Electrolytes are more concentrated inside the cell and water more concentrated out side the cell having fewer electrolytes. Both moves across the cell membrane in an effort to balance concentration which could lead the cell to burst.
Electrolyte imbalance and water intoxication can lead to irregular heart beat, allow fluid to enter the lungs and may cause fluttering eyelids. Swelling put pressure on the brain and nerves resulting behavior resembling alcohol intoxication. Swelling of brain tissue may cause to death also unless water intake is restricted. If treatment is given to the patient the repair of damaged cells can be expected within a few days.
The kidney of an adult can filter 15 liter of water per day. You are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication. An adult need about 3 quarts of fluid each day and much of the water comes from the food. So take care of your health. You need excess water when weather or the climate is too hot and dry or you are exercising or you are taking some medication.
It is possible to drink too much water but unless you are an athlete or infant, water intoxication is a very uncommon condition.