WHAT IS OVERHYDRATION?

All of the major systems of your body depend on water to work properly. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps your body:

·         regulate temperature

·         prevent constipation

·         flush out waste products

·         perform all major bodily functions

Most people, especially those who exercise in hot weather, are more concerned about not drinking enough water. However, drinking too much water can also be dangerous.

Overhydration occurs when someone takes in more water than the body needs. Overhydration leads to water intoxication. This occurs when the amount of salt and other electrolytes in your body become too diluted, this condition is termed Hyponatremia. Its a condition in which sodium (salt) levels become dangerously low. This is the main concern of overhydration.

If your electrolytes drop too low too quickly, it can be fatal. Death by overhydration is rare, but it can happen.

TYPES OF OVERHYDRATION

There are two main types of overhydration:

INCREASED WATER INTAKE:

This occurs when you drink more water than your kidneys can remove in your urine. This can cause too much water to collect in your bloodstream.

RETAINING WATER:

This occurs when your body can’t get rid of water properly. Several medical conditions can cause your body to retain water

Both of these types are dangerous because they throw off the balance between water and sodium in your blood.

CAUSES

Overhydration is an imbalance of fluids. It happens when your body takes in more water or holds on to more water than your kidneys can remove.

Drinking too much water or not having a way to remove it can cause water levels to build up. This dilutes important substances in your blood. On average, a healthy adult is expected to drink 9-13 cups of water per day. Water needs vary with age, sex, weather, activity level, and overall health. Common situations such as extreme heat, significant activity, and illness with fever will all require more fluid intake than average. There is no exact formula on how much to drink.

In a healthy person, your urine is a good indicator of your hydration status. Pale yellow urine that looks like lemonade is a good goal. Darker urine means you need more water. Colorless urine means you are overhydrated.

Some conditions and medicines cause overhydration by making your body hold on to more fluid. These include:

·         congestive heart failure (CHF)

·         liver disease

·         kidney problems

·         nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

·         uncontrolled diabetes

SYMPTOMS

You may not observe symptoms of overhydration in its early stages. As the condition progresses, common symptoms include:

·         nausea and vomiting

·         headache

·         changes in mental state such as confusion or disorientation

Untreated overhydration can lead to dangerously low levels of sodium in your blood. This can cause more severe symptoms, such as:

·         muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps

·         seizures

·         unconsciousness

·         coma

 

PREVENTION

Endurance athletes can reduce the risk of overhydration by weighing themselves before and after a race

While exercising, try to drink 2 to 4 cups of fluid per hour. If exercising longer than an hour, sports beverages are also an option. These drinks contain sugar, along with electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.  Also, if you are unusually thirsty, consult your Doctor because it could be a sign of an underlying medical problem that needs attention.

TREATMENT

How you’re treated for overhydration depends on how severe your symptoms are and what caused the condition. Treatments may include:

·         cutting back on your fluid intake

·         taking diuretics to increase the amount of urine you produce

·         treating the condition that caused the overhydration

·         stopping any medications causing the problem

·         replacing sodium in severe cases