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Excess water can lead to various health problems

Edited by: Divya Thearia

9 September 2022 (New Delhi): Water intoxication symptoms usually emerge after drinking more than 3 to 4 L of water in a few hours. Head discomfort, cramps, spasms, or muscle weakness, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, and weariness are all possible symptoms. Water intoxication can potentially cause seizures or loss of consciousness in more severe cases. Water intoxication can be dangerous if not treated immediately.

How much quantity is safe to drink


There is no certain volume of water that results in water poisoning. Instead, think of it in terms of how much water someone consumes every hour. Age, gender, and overall health can all be factors.
A healthy adult’s kidneys can pump out 20 to 28 litres of water each day, but they can only get rid of around 1 litre per hour. When you drink more than 1 litre per hour, your kidneys struggle to keep up.

How to prevent water poisoning

If you find yourself drinking a lot of water in a short amount of time on a daily basis, there are a few general tips that can help you prevent water intoxication.
In general, it’s advisable to drink water at the first sign of thirst. Wait till you’re thirsty again after you’ve been filled. The colour of your urine might also be a useful sign.
If you’re ready to do a hard workout, try having sodium-containing electrolyte drink, such as a sports drink.

What exactly causes water intoxication?

When you drink too much water, you risk developing hyponatremia, which occurs when your blood salt content becomes dangerously low. Drinking more water than your kidneys can process dilutes the salt in your circulation, causing cells to expand.
The majority of recorded cases of life-threatening water poisoning included rigorous physical exercise, such as military training for marathon running. Others have occurred as a result of excessive water intake owing to an underlying mental health disorder or as a form of abuse.

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