We all know the importance of water for the human body system. It will not be wrong to say that all the major systems of our body depend on water to work effectively. Drinking a good amount of water helps the body in preventing constipation, regulating temperature, flush out waste products, and perform all other major functions. But, have you ever thought about what could be the side effects of drinking too much water.
However, overhydration can result in water intoxication. It generally occurs when the amount of salt and electrolytes become too diluted in the body. Hyponatremia is the best example. It is a situation where sodium levels become dangerously low and it causes overhydration.
Also Read: 4 Simple Reasons Why You Should Not Drink Coffee On An Empty Stomach
Different Types of Overhydration
As per the experts, there are mainly two types of overhydration:
Increased water intake
It generally occurs when a person drinks more water than their kidneys removed in the form of urine. It causes too much water collection in the bloodstream.
Retaining water
The second type of overhydration is retaining water. It mainly takes place when the body cannot get rid of water properly. The main cause can be medical conditions.
These both overhydration types are dangerous as they throw off the balance of sodium and water in human blood.
Side Effects of Drinking Too Much Water
When a person consumes a huge amount of water then the cells in their brain start to swell and the skull pressure begins to increase. As a result, it causes water intoxication, including:
- nausea
- headaches
- vomiting
Sometimes, there could be more severe symptoms, like:
- muscle weakness or cramping
- inability to identify sensory information
- increased blood pressure
- drowsiness
- confusion
- double vision
- difficulty breathing
In some cases, water intoxication might cause brain damage, seizures, a coma, and even death.
