Are You Drowning Yourself? A Look Into Over-hydration.
Believe it or not, you can have too much of a good thing, even when it comes to drinking water. If you're like most people, you probably think that it's impossible to drink too much water. After all, water is essential for life, so how could you possibly have too much of it? Unfortunately, over-hydration is a real problem that can lead to serious health consequences. Here's a look at what over-hydration is, how it can be harmful, and what you can do to avoid it.
Why is hydration important?
Staying hydrated is an essential part of keeping the body healthy. Every body function from cellular work to temperature regulation requires water and electrolytes to do its job properly. Without hydration, our body would not be able to keep itself functioning as it should. For example, not drinking enough water can lead to a decrease in blood volume which puts strain on vital organs such as the heart and kidneys. Additionally, without adequate hydration our body has trouble lubricating and cushioning joints, and maintaining skin health.
What about over-hydration?
Over-hydration, sometimes known as water intoxication, is an imbalance of electrolytes caused by drinking too much water or your kidneys are retaining too much water. When the body becomes over-hydrated, it cannot process excess fluids quickly enough and they start to accumulate in the cells. Depending on the severity of the condition, this increase in fluid levels can lead to diverse changes in cardiac contractions, mental status, confusion, seizures, coma or even death. While drinking large quantities of fluid can trigger the condition, there are a variety of other causes including kidney or adrenal diseases; and medications that cause decreased urination. It is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with overhydration.
How to know if you might be over-hydrating
While symptoms of dehydration are easily recognizable—dry mouth, feeling sluggish— symptoms of overhydration might not be so obvious. Look out for frequent urination, changes in the color and amount of your urine (excess water will make it almost clear), headaches, nausea, bloating, dry skin and a lack of energy. Water intoxication is a serious medical condition that should not be taken lightly. When a person ingests more than the recommended amount of fluids, heart arrhythmias, headaches, and decreased consciousness can be the result. Water intoxication can become life-threatening when it leads to a low level of sodium in the body due to watering down of electrolytes, as well as swelling of the brain cells from an excessive intake of water. The symptoms range from fatigue and dizziness to nausea and vomiting. Seizures and even death can also occur if left untreated. It is important to stay aware of your body's hydration needs and not overindulge on water consumption.
How to properly hydrate
Proper hydration can be a tricky process, but there are some tips and tricks you should keep in mind. First, avoid desalinated water as it tends to deplete your body of important electrolytes and minerals that facilitate good hydration. Instead, you may want to consider adding Elete solution which helps keep electrolyte levels balanced for better hydration. To further increase your chances of adequate hydration, make sure to take notice of factors such as Excessive Heat, the heat during exercise, the amount of perspiration during physical activities, and the length of time you're outdoors. With these things in consideration, make sure to continuously sip fluids throughout the day for ultimate hydration!