Drinking enough water is essential to maintain good health and to prevent dehydration. Dehydration can lead to feeling thirsty, fatigue, and confusion. If left untreated dehydration can cause muscle cramping and cardiac complications that can become deadly. However, a diet high in water can also cause problems. The first step is to talk with a doctor or registered dietitian to determine how much water intake is healthy and safe, and then be on the lookout for symptoms that water intake is too high or low.
Low Sodium Levels
The amount of water needed each day depends on many factors including age, place of residence, gender, general overall health and level of activity. On average, most need about eight to nine glasses of water a day, claims MayoClinic.com, and more if exercising. Enough water should be consumed to avoid feeling thirsty and for the urine to be slightly yellow or colorless.
While rare, if too much water is consumed, sodium levels in the body can become dangerously low, causing a condition called hyponatremia. Endurance athletes are at the highest risk for this complication. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, hallucinations and fatigue.
Muscle Cramps
The right balance of sodium is also necessary to help the muscles contract and relax properly. When sodium levels drop too low the muscles may become weak and develop cramps, warns the National Institutes of Health. Mood swings, irritability and restlessness can also occur. Lowering fluid intake, medications and treating any underlying medical conditions, can help to correct the imbalance.
Seizures
Too much water can accumulate in the body if high amounts are consumed or if there is an illness that hinders the body's ability to excrete water. In some cases there are no symptoms, while in others it can cause seizures. Medical conditions are the most common cause because according to Merck, in order to over hydrate, a healthy person would need to drink at least 6 gallons of water a day on a regular basis. As water levels rise and sodium levels drop the brain cannot function correctly, which can cause seizures. In severe cases a patient can lapse into a coma that can become life threatening.
Member Comments