Water Intoxication

By: Marylin Salgado

March 17, 2019

The days of drinking 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water daily are far over. Water can be obtained from many sources, not just faucet or bottled water. There are foods that are loaded with water, such as watermelon, strawberries, cucumber, pineapple, certain berries, celery, green peppers, lettuce, and the list goes on and on. If you eat some of these fruits and veggies daily, then is it truly necessary to drink all the extra water? The answer is simply no. Many people have suffered from critical levels of decreased sodium from drinking so much water. These critical levels have unfortunately proven deadly for some.

Sodium or salt levels are regulated by the kidney. When this level is unbalanced, the kidney reaches out to other electrolytes to maintain its balance, depleting those electrolytes in the process. Electrolytes are important since they regulate the function of our cells and organs. Certain dangerous levels of these electrolytes can lead to death. Your kidneys are designed to excrete about half a liter of water an hour. When you drink water too fast, the kidneys can’t keep up with the overload and the water must go elsewhere in the body.

When this happens, you might experience the following symptoms:

• Feeling hot (as in heat stroke)
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

In severe cases:

• Swelling in the brain
• Seizures
• Coma
• Death

You might be asking how much water you should be drinking and what is a safe number. Water consumption depends on your size and weight and your activity level. You may be required to drink more water if you live at high altitudes since the air is dryer. This very simple calculation will help you determine how much water you should consume daily.

…. you should multiply your weight by 2/3 to calculate how much water you need to drink on a daily basis. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, the calculation will be as follows: 160 × 2/3 = 107 ounces (3.15 liters) of water per day. – goodcalculators.com

Another very safe way to measure your water or fluid consumption is to look at the color of your urine when you use the bathroom. If your urine is dark yellow, then you should be able to safely add another 8 ounces of water to your intake. If your urine is light yellow, you should be able to safely add another 4 to 6 ounces of water. If your urine is clear, then you are drinking enough. The best and safest way to assess for proper fluid intake and balance is to speak to your MD. Individuals with cardiac conditions, kidney and fluid retention issues, should seek advise from their doctor since their fluid balance will vary greatly from a person who does not have major organ issues. Please do not use the above water intake calculation unless your physician has advised it is safe to do so.

Other safe sources of fluid intake include Powerade, Gatorade, Ginger ale, or carbonated water. Using low calorie flavored packets such as Crystal Light, Propel or True Orange are also options. You should always check the label for sugar content. Diabetics and those individuals with sugar restrictions in their diets should pay close attention to the product labeling.

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Sources:

https://goodcalculators.com/water-intake-calculator/
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/water-intoxication#1