Hyperhydration/ When drinking large amounts of water is harmful to us

2023-09-26 18:52:00, Blog CNA

Overhydration is a condition characterized by excessive fluid consumption either continuously or over a short period of time. Also known as "water intoxication", this problem is the opposite of dehydration.

The European Food Safety Authority recommends drinking 2-2.5 liters of water for men and 1.5-2 liters for women in 24 hours. But what happens when we drink too much water? Hyperhydration leads to an increase in cell volume. Among the latter, the most sensitive are undoubtedly those of the brain, which, if they receive large amounts of fluid in a short time, are not able to adapt properly.

In this way, a typical symptomatology arises. The disorder has several causes. Athletes who try to avoid dehydration by drinking a lot of water are often affected by this. But people who do not secrete urine normally are also at risk, i.e. those born prematurely, as well as patients suffering from heart, liver and kidney diseases.

Care should also be taken when taking certain anti-depressant drugs and the so-called syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. In the latter case, excess vasopressin secreted by the pituitary gland prompts the kidneys to retain unnecessary water.

It is not uncommon for hyperhydration to also be of psychiatric origin (psychogenic polydipsia). Overhydration can damage the kidneys, brain and heart. Especially the kidneys are not able to properly filter and eliminate excess fluids.

This difficulty is more pronounced in individuals suffering from chronic heart and renal failure. The introduction of a large amount of water into the body causes hyponatremia , a condition characterized by a decrease in sodium levels in the blood. And it is precisely the electrolyte imbalance that causes symptoms such as: headache; vomiting; heaviness in the abdomen; swelling, mental confusion; irregular heartbeat; muscle weakness; frequent urination; slumber

Although the body has effective mechanisms to regulate fluid intake as needed, severe overhydration can cause convulsions and even lead to coma. Regardless of the underlying cause, the first step in treating this condition is to reduce, under medical supervision, your daily fluid intake to less than 1 liter.

In this way the symptoms are reduced within a few days. When the problem stems from heart, liver or kidney disease, it is best to limit sodium intake. Also, the Doctor may recommend stopping the drugs believed to be responsible for the disorder. / Adapted from CNA