What is the secret behind every celebrity’s glowing skin? Hydration.

What is the key to maintaining good health and fitness? Drink plenty of water.

What’s the biggest advice from every health expert? Always stay hydrated.

We hear a lot about how important it is to drink water, whether it’s from social media or parents reminding (or scolding) us. But it is also important to know that drinking too much water can be dangerous. So, while staying hydrated is essential, it is also important to maintain the right balance.

water addiction is real

“Water intoxication, also known as hyponatremia, occurs when a person consumes excessive amounts of water in a short period of time, which reduces the amount of sodium in the blood,” says consultant, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram. , Internal Medicine, explains Dr. Tushar Tayal. India Today,

He explains that sodium is an important electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of fluids inside and outside cells. “If the kidneys are unable to remove excess water efficiently, the excess water enters the cells, causing them to swell,” the doctor says.

On this, Dr. P Venkata Krishnan, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, says that sodium is an important electrolyte responsible for nerve signaling, muscle function and fluid balance. Without enough sodium, the body struggles to maintain normal cellular function, affecting many organs.

Dr. Krishnan says, “The kidneys can filter only about 0.8 to 1 liter of water per hour. Drinking more than this increases pressure on them, which causes water retention and thinning of the blood.”

When the amount of water in the blood increases…

As water intake increases, it enters the bloodstream, reducing the concentration of electrolytes. This dilution causes a shift in fluid, allowing water to move into the cells. This cellular inflammation affects all tissues, including vital organs like the brain.

Dr. Tayal explains that in many parts of the body this inflammation is not immediately dangerous, but when it occurs in the brain, it can be harmful.

The brain is encased within the skull, which does not allow much expansion, leading to increased pressure in the skull, known as cerebral edema.

“This causes increased pressure within the skull, leading to headaches, confusion, seizures, coma, and possibly death,” says Dr. Krishnan.

This can be life threatening

Dr. Krishnan tells us, “In extreme cases, water intoxication can be life-threatening, especially if left untreated. Cerebral edema can cause herniation, where the brain is squeezed and bulges through the base of the skull. are pushed through, causing fatal consequences.”

what are the symptoms?

According to experts, the symptoms of water intoxication can range from mild to severe, depending on how quickly the condition progresses. Symptoms include:

• nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• confusion and disorientation
• Tiredness
• muscle cramps and spasms
• seizures (in severe cases)
• Coma (in extreme cases)

It is important to note that these symptoms are primarily a result of brain swelling due to fluid shifting into the brain cells.

How to know if you have drunk too much water?

To understand if your water consumption has exceeded your body’s needs, look for these early signs:

• frequent urination
• Clear urine (early sign of overhydration)
• headache, nausea, or confusion
• swelling of the arms, legs, or face

In case of water intoxication, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. You should immediately stop drinking water and seek emergency medical help to restore electrolyte balance, which is often done by giving intravenous fluids with sodium.

“In more severe cases, diuretics may be used to help flush out excess water from the body,” says Dr. Krishnan. Sodium levels need to be carefully controlled, as too rapid correction can lead to dangerous complications. Can cause, such as central pontine myelinolysis (CPM).

How much water do you need in a day?

Dr. Tayal mentions that water requirements depend on factors such as climate, physical activity, and overall health, but general recommendations are:

• men: About 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of total fluids (including water, other beverages, and food) per day.
• women: About 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total fluids per day.

These amounts are not just for drinking water, but for liquids from all sources. “Overhydration can occur if more water is consumed than the body requires, so it’s important to listen to your body’s signals, such as thirst and the color of urine (which should be light yellow),” the doctor says.

Meanwhile, according to Dr. Krishnan, 2 to 3 liters of water per day (about 8-12 cups) is recommended for most adults.

However, people who exercise or sweat a lot need more water, and people in hot or dry climates should increase water intake to compensate for fluid loss.