Hydration is confused fairly often in wellness conversations, with the eight-glass rule steadily highlighted. This is likely one of the measures to avoid the perils of dehydration. However identical to the whole lot else, steadiness is of utmost significance, and so is the hydration degree in your physique. Going overboard along with your water consumption poses severe dangers, too. Dr Elakiya Mathimaran, guide pulmonologist, VS Group of Hospitals, Chennai, informed HT Life-style that the kidneys are among the many first organs to really feel the pressure from consuming an excessive amount of water.
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She mentioned, “Overhydration, or water intoxication, will not be a time period most individuals hear till it’s too late. It happens when the kidneys can’t clear the surplus fluid fast sufficient, they’ll solely deal with round a litre an hour.”
What are the opposite dangers?
Apart from overburdening the kidneys with the persistent filtering course of if you overdrink water, Dr Mathimaran revealed that extra causes a pointy drop in sodium ranges. He referred to as it hyponatremia.
The primary warning indicators that sufferers really feel are bloating, fogginess, and nausea. This imbalance must be taken critically, because it disturbs regular functioning, and as Dr Mathimaran identified, extreme circumstances of hyponatremia can progress to seizures and main medical emergencies.
She additionally named the weak teams at increased threat, warning, “The concept that extra water is at all times higher is solely improper. Endurance athletes, folks with kidney or coronary heart points, and even in any other case wholesome people following excessive ‘hydration challenges’ are most in danger.”
When must you drink water and what to bear in mind
Blindly following the ‘8 glasses a day’ rule isn’t the best way to go. Hydration is determined by a number of components, from private variations like physique weight and food plan to easy cues equivalent to urine color. Dr Mathimaran listed some necessities that you simply want to bear in mind, which assist make your hydration more healthy:
- Hydration wants are personally formed by your age, physique weight, exercise, food plan, and the local weather you reside in.
- Many overlook that fruits, greens, soups, and even tea or espresso quietly add to your each day fluid consumption. A watermelon slice on a scorching day, for instance, is doing extra to your hydration than you realise.
- Drink if you really feel thirsty; don’t power a timetable.
- Test your urine; pale yellow is mostly nice.
- If you’re sweating an excessive amount of, substitute not simply water however salts too.
- These with persistent well being situations ought to at all times observe medical steerage.
Observe to readers: This text is for informational functions solely and never an alternative choice to skilled medical recommendation. All the time search the recommendation of your physician with any questions on a medical situation.
