What happens if you drink too much water?

Water offers many health benefits, including improved physical performance, body temperature control, reduced oxidative stress, improved brain function, reduced risk of kidney stones, and reduced incidence of problems. gastrointestinal tract such as constipation.

In addition, water contributes to maintaining a stable blood pressure in the body and prevents the risk of symptoms such as severe headaches, fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Optimal water intake is good for the heart and other organs in the body, but when you drink too much water in a short period of time, the body will get some side effects.

Overhydration can occur in two cases. First, overhydration occurs when a person drinks too much water and the kidneys can’t get rid of or store the excess water, causing water to move into the bloodstream. The second case, excess water is when the body is not able to excrete the excess water due to certain medical conditions such as kidney problems, uncontrolled diabetes and liver problems.

Some symptoms of excess water can include severe headache, vomiting, nausea, confusion, muscle weakness, and discolored hands and feet.

How does water affect blood pressure?

Both excess or insufficient water intake affect blood pressure. Drinking too much water helps control kidney stones, but it’s not good for your health health Heart.

Drinking too much water increases the amount of water in the blood, which can dilute electrolytes in the blood, including sodium. These electrolytes help maintain fluid levels and are responsible for balancing chemicals such as acids and bases in the body.

Sodium is also essential for the normal functioning of muscles and nerves. When blood sodium levels fall below 135 mmol/L, hyponatremia occurs, causing water to enter the body’s cells and cause them to swell. Cell swelling interferes with blood pressure and increases the risk of cardiovascular events such as hardening of the arteries and heart failure, along with an increased risk of seizures and coma.

If left untreated for longer, hyponatremia can lead to complications such as cerebral edema and osmotic demyelinating syndrome (brain cell dysfunction).

How to control excess water

The best way is to avoid drinking too much liquid and only drink as much as recommended. According to one study, the recommended fluid intake per day is 3000 ml (about 12-13 cups) for men and 2200 ml (about 8-9 cups) for women. Fluid intake can come from beverages and foods, including water.

In addition, medications such as diuretics can help increase urine production and decrease the amount of water in the body. However, consult a medical professional before using any form of medication.