Drinking more water harmfulImage Credit Source: Getty Images
How Much Water is too much: Drinking water is necessary for our life, there is no two opinions in it. But have you ever thought that drinking too much water can also be harmful for health? Usually we have been hearing that 810 glasses of water should be drunk a day, but not every human need is the same. According to the opinion of some recent research and doctors, “overhydration” means that excessive water accumulation in the body is also a serious health risk, which should not be taken lightly.
Overhydration occurs when a person drinks excess water and the body’s electrolyte balance is disturbed. The most effect is at the sodium level, which is called “hyponatramia” in medical language. When the level of sodium in the blood is very low, water starts filling in the cells of the body, which can cause swelling, dizziness, vomiting, headache and even to brain swelling and coma.
Why does this happen?
Dr. Pinn Kumar in Medicine Department at RML Hospital, Delhi It is said that people keep drinking water throughout the day in the name of weight loss or “detox”. Social media and health trends also promote this habit like “Gallon Water Challenge” or “3 liters of water rose”. But when we forcefully drink water even when we do not feel thirsty, the kidney is not able to filter so much and water starts accumulating in the body.
Which people are more at risk?
Especially athletes, runners, or gym people who drink a lot of water during workouts are at greater risk of overhydration. Apart from this, if someone’s kidney is already weak or has a problem of hormonal imbalance, then their body is not able to process extra water properly.
How to understand that you are drinking more water?
If you are getting urinated again and again, it is feeling very tired or the lips are feeling swollen, then it may be an indication that you are getting overhydrate. Drinking water according to the need of the body is the best way. Drink only when the urine is getting very light or almost transparent when the urine is getting thirsty, then understand that the water level in the body is fine.
Balance is necessary
Our body needs as much water as it can use. Every physical activity and water requirement for every human being is different. It is not good to forcefully drink water. The best solution is to listen to the signs of the body. If you feel thirsty, drink water, but drinking too much water without need can be as harmful as drinking less water.