Water Intoxication
Water is a vital part of our overall health. It aids in digestion, keeps our cells healthy, and helps
to regulate proper body temperature to name a few. The recommendation is to consume half
of your body weight in ounces to keep everything functioning normally. But, did you know you
can guzzle too much water? Hyponatremia is a condition known simply as water intoxication.
When too much water collects in the body, it can lead to water intoxication or dangerously low
levels of sodium in the blood.
Your body gets rid of excess water in two ways:
1. Sweat – It cools itself by sweating, especially during exercise.
2. Urination – Your body maintains a proper balance by ridding itself of toxins
through urination.
Some of the symptoms of water intoxication are confusion, headaches, nausea and bloating.
Heat exhaustion may also my mistaken for hyponatremia because the signs are often similar. In
some severe cases, it can lead to seizures, organ failure and even death. If you see someone
who you fear is suffering from these symptoms, get them to somewhere shaded and talk to
them. If you know they have consumed too much water, get them to an emergency room
immediately.
One of the easiest ways to distinguish your level of hydration is checking your urine. If your
urine is dark in color, you are most likely dehydrated and should be drinking more water. If it is
pale yellow, you are on the right path. But, if your urine is clear and you feel like you are in the
bathroom more than normal, you are probably drinking too much.
One avenue of sustaining proper electrolyte levels while staying hydrated is sports drinks.
While it’s not beneficial to replace water with sports drinks, it’s sometimes necessary in
extreme cases such as prolonged exercise or extended exposure to summertime heat and
humidity.
Water is the life force that keeps us going. We can’t live without it. The saying “too much of a
good thing” applies to water intoxication. Going overboard with water consumption can lead
to many health problems when not properly monitored. Get you daily dose and listen to what
your body is telling you.
See you in the stairs!
Marc Andes
Orange Crush