Too much water can kill us. Hyponatremia is a severe complication, doctors warn
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Loading... - Gracie Johnson
- 25 Jul 2022
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Hyponatremia is a complication that occurs when we drink too much water. The concentration of sodium in the body decreases and alarming symptoms can appear, including many neurological problems.
In severe cases, hyponatremia can be fatal. People are tempted to drink a lot of water during heatwaves because they fear dehydration. But doctors warn that any amount of water that exceeds three liters a day can be dangerous, especially if you don't make any physical effort.
"During heat waves, many elderly people who present to emergency rooms due to heat are victims of hyponatremia, that is, hyperhydration in parallel with insufficient nutrition. This disorder occurs if you drink more than three or four liters of water a day", says Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician .
Serious consequences
The greatest risk of facing this complication is for people with chronic diseases such as renal or cardiac failure, diabetes or the elderly in whom sweating can be almost absent.
Hyponatremia is manifested by severe fatigue, nausea, vomiting or the appearance of edema (swelling). However, neurological disorders and convulsions can also occur.
Overhydration can therefore have serious consequences because due to the large amount of water, the blood is diluted and thus the hydration process of the cells is affected. In extreme cases this condition can be fatal. Read More…
