The Voice of Chandigarh News:

Grandma’s age old tips, drink enough water to be free of any and many ailments. But have we ever wondered, how much is enough. For some even a glass of water does the trick and for others even 8 to 10 glasses are also not enough. Our body itself is made up of 80% water and to keep our body’s major systems working we depend on water. People living in hot weather conditions, especially those who exercise, are more concerned about not drinking enough water. However, most of us are unaware that over hydration can be intoxicating too. Drinking too much water can actually dilute the amount of salt and other electrolytes in our body causing hyponatremia- a condition in which the salt levels become extremely low. This is a major concern with over hydration. Though death by over hydration is rare but it can occur.

An imbalance of fluids in our body can cause over hydration. It can majorly occur when our body takes in or holds on to more fluids than the kidneys can remove. It is very important to understand that water needs vary with age, sex, weather, and overall health. There is exactly no formula on how much water to drink. In a healthy person, urine is a good indicator of hydration status. A colorless urine shows that you are over hydrated. Thirst is the best indicator, if you are thirsty, drink more.

One may not recognize symptoms of over hydration in its early stages. Common symptoms include; nausea and vomiting, headache and changes in mental state such as confusion or disorientation. If you suspect that you are over hydrated or on the cusp of it, limit the amount of fluids you drink and eat something salty. If you still feel crummy or your symptoms start to get worse, it’s time to seek medical attention right away.