In this article, we'd be exploring some disadvantages of drinking too much water that you need to know. Yes, there are more than a thousand reasons why you should drink water today. In fact, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommend that men take about 15.5 cups (3.7 litres) of fluids a day while women take about 11.5 cups (2.7 litres) of fluids.
This will show you how important drinking water is to we humans. That notwithstanding, there is a saying that '...too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.'
5 Dangers Of Drinking Too Much Water
• It causes Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is generally defined as a sodium concentration of less than 135 mmol/L (135 mEq/L), with severe hyponatremia being below 120 mEq/L. In short, hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low and it happens due to rapid overhydration.
Hyponatremia signs and symptoms may include; headache, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps, coma, seizures, confusion, restlessness and irritability and even nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, it can even lead to death.
• It affects the heart
The human heart is an organ that pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes. When you consume too much water, it increases the volume of blood inside your body.
The increased blood volume exerts unnecessary pressure on the blood vessels and heart. This can lead to heart failure in people undergoing dialysis. It may also sometimes lead to seizures.
• Overhydration may cause liver problems
The liver is the organ of the body that regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver.
NOTE: Iron overload is not exactly detrimental, but in rare cases, it may cause liver-related problems.
• It overburdens the kidneys
• Overhydration may cause diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is characterized by loose, watery stools or a frequent need to have a bowel movement. When you drink too much water, your kidneys become unable to get rid of the excess liquid, and water starts to collect in the body. This can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, often including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Signs You’re Actually Drinking Too Much Water
How do you know that you're actually drinking too much water? We've penned down some things that will help you know when you're taking more water than necessary.
• You urinate frequently: Frequent urination can be really frustrating, whether you are at work, church, home, or school. When you drink too much water, your kidneys function constantly. As a result, you need to rush to the washroom again and again.
• You always have a water bottle at hand: Do you always carry your water bottle next to you? This could be a sign that you're taking much more water than necessary. Those frequent sips of water might not really be doing you the best.
• Clear urine: You might have been made to believe that you need to keep drinking water until your urine is clear. For your information, the sign of a healthy body is pale yellow urine. Clear urine is an indication that you drank too much water and there is an electrolyte imbalance in your body.
• Nausea: Overhydration might hinder your kidney functions, thereby leading to the feeling of nausea and vomiting.
• Drinking water too much can also lead to swelling of the lips, hands, and feet. This is because your body will be forced to retain the excess water since the kidneys aren't functioning properly.
Sources:
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/unusual-side-effects-of-drinking-too-much-water/https://www.thehealthy.com/hydration/drinking-too-much-water/
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/AcuteKidneyInjury
https://www.bustle.com/p/7-signs-youre-drinking-too-much-water-7209505
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