How To Treat Overhydration Or Water Intoxication

Here’s how you can reverse the dangerous side effects of overhydration or water intoxication:

• Stop any further water intake.

• Seek medical attention if you do not feel well and feel like you are going to pass out.

• Stop taking any medication that is causing water retention in the body.

• A doctor may administer sodium to help bring back the balance in your body fluids.

• You may be given diuretics.

• As they say, prevention is better than cure. Let’s take a look at the following ways to prevent overhydration.

Ways To Prevent Overhydration Or Water Intoxication

Here are a few ways you can stop drinking too much water:

• If you have medical conditions like diabetes or kidney problems, talk to your doctor to find out how much water you should consume.

• If you exercise regularly, you may drink 2-4 cups of water per hour while exercising. If you need more water, drink sports drinks as they contain electrolytes that help balance the salts in your body.

• Endurance athletes should measure their weight before and after a race to determine how much water they lost from the body. The lost water can be replenished without running the risk of overhydration.

People Prone To Overhydration

You might end up drinking too much water if you:

• run marathons or ultramarathons.

• are a hiker or a biker.

• are a triathlete.

• are an elite rower.

• are an endurance cyclist.

• are a soccer player.

• are in military training

• are obsessed with consuming water for “health.”

Conclusion

Water is good for you as long as you do not overdrink it. Take an informed decision on how much water you consume from foods and beverages to keep track of your water intake. If you feel nauseous after drinking water, seek medical help immediately.

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

Question:  Can you die from drinking too much water?

Answer: In the worst-case scenario, yes, you can die if you drink too much water.

Question: Can you lose weight by drinking water?

Answer: Drinking water helps flush out toxins and accelerates metabolism. But, that does not mean you can lose all the flab in just a day by drinking water. You must eat good and exercise to lose weight.

Question: Can drinking too much water make you gain weight?

Answer: Yes, if you drink too much water, it gets retained in the body. As a result, you gain water weight.

Question: Are there disadvantages of drinking hot water?

Answer: Drink warm water if you need to. There are no particular advantages or disadvantages of drinking hot water. Just make sure the water is not too hot.

Question: How much water is too much in one hour?

Answer: It depends on what you are doing in that hour. You may sip 250 ml water within an hour. Space your water intake in a way that you do not exceed the daily limit of 3 liters of water.