Too Much Of Water Is Too Dangerous

Yes,excessive intake of water can be fatal. Water is the main content of our humanbody which inhabits the blood, cells of the body and in the spaces between them. The body loses most of its water in the form of sweat,urination,defecation etc., Rehydration to the dehydrated body is done through drinking water but a strange yet true is overdose of water intake leads to death. There are many examples of tragic deaths caused by overdosage of water. This water death is due to 'HYPONATREMIA' or the' dilution of blood' caused by drinking too much amount of water. Literally hyponatremia means 'insufficient salt in the blood' . The normal concentration of sodium (salt) in the blood is about 135-145mM/L but below this level leads to hyponatremia and that is due to excess intake of water.

The kidneys being the excretory organs of our body,controls the amount of water,salts and other solutes but cannot flush out excess amount if too much of water is consumed in very short intervals. As a result water becomes stored in the blood leading to blood dilution. This excess water now enters the cells leaving the blood ,where the cells becomes bulged. Most of our body cells are flexible and can able to stretch but the brain cells (neurons) cannot since they are tightly packed inside the skull.

Severe hyponatremia causes even the brain cells to swell leading to brain edema that may inturn is a risk factor for seizures,coma,respiratory arrest and ultimately death.

The intake of water must be proportional to the water loss from the body.But measuring the water loss is not easy. Hence the best way of water consumption is when our body feels thirst.

As said by the chairman of medicine at Geogetown University Medical Centre, Mr.Joseph Verbalis " Drink to your thirst"