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Journalism of Courage
Consuming adequate water is known to help stay healthy and keep many hair and skin issues at bay. But did you know that excess water intake can do the opposite? Take, for instance, the case of a 40-year-old who drank plenty of water in the morning for “detoxification,” but it resulted in a “life-threatening complication.”
“40-year-old Ms Rajni (name changed) was told to drink water in the morning to detoxify her body. It was claimed that drinking excess water in the morning after waking up would clear all the wastes from her body, making her healthier. In addition, it was claimed that her skin would also get rejuvenated. Rajni took the advice seriously and drank about 4 litres of water in the morning after waking up. Within an hour, she developed a headache and nausea and vomited once. A few minutes later, she felt confused and disoriented, which was followed by a seizure and loss of consciousness,” consultant neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, wrote on X as he shared the case study.
“She was rushed to the emergency room. The diagnosis was obvious – it was most likely hyponatremia (low sodium level in blood) caused by water intoxication. The blood test confirmed our suspicion. The serum sodium level was 110 mmol/L (normal: 135-145). Ms Rajni was admitted to the ICU, and hyponatremia was corrected over the next 3 days. She responded to the treatment, and her mental status returned to normal within 24 hours. She was discharged on the 4th day,” added Dr Kumar.
Dr Kumar noted that
*Excess water intake in the morning is NOT needed for detoxification. “Kidneys naturally clear the body of ‘toxins’ through urine. Just a normal hydration status is needed,” he stressed.
*The recommended amount of water intake is 2.5 to 3.5 liters per day, which should be spread throughout the day. “About 20 per cent of daily water requirement also comes from food (especially fruits) and other drinks (such as milk, tea, juice, etc),” said Dr Kumar.
*Water requirements could vary depending on age, gender, temperature, humidity, exercise, and comorbid illnesses.
*Dr Kumar stated that though healthy kidneys can handle excess water intake, there is an upper limit. “Water intoxication can result if water intake is more than 1.5 liters per hour or more (this can vary from person to person),” said Dr Kumar.
*Prompt recognition and early initiation of treatment in cases of severe hyponatremia due to water intoxication can be life-saving.
Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai, explained that water intoxication or hyponatremia “generally occurs when you drink too much water within a few hours”. “This may not be good for your kidneys as they may not be able to get rid of excess water quickly. It can cause the sodium levels to dilute into your bloodstream. Sodium is crucial for various bodily functions, such as balancing fluids in your body and maintaining the proper functioning of the nerves and muscles,” said Dr Agarwal.
According to Dr Agarwal, it can further lead to fluid buildup inside the cells, including the brain cells. “Water intoxication does not happen frequently; it is rare. It can occur where athletes may overhydrate themselves for long workouts like marathons, people trying to force themselves to drink too much water due to some weight loss or detox trends, and medical conditions,” said Dr Agarwal.
Water intoxication can be harmful to your body as the diluted sodium can cause the cells to swell. Dr Agarwal said that it is perilous if the swelling occurs in the brain as it can lead to serious complications like coma, seizures, or even death if it is not treated promptly. “One should look for symptoms like throbbing headaches, nausea, fatigue, and confusion. This is why it becomes crucial to take proactive steps and follow safety measures regarding drinking water. Avoid drinking water in excess quantity,” said Dr Agarwal.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
