You must have heard about food poisoning and the health problems caused by it. There is a risk of this due to the consumption of food contaminated with pathogens. But do you know about water poisoning?
The case of water poisoning reported in the US city of Texas is making headlines. According to the Daily Mail report, a rare case of water poisoning has been reported in a person in the city. He was showing symptoms like a heart attack, due to which he was hurriedly admitted to a nearby hospital.
According to reports, 74-year-old John Putnam was working as a landscaper, during which the temperature reached 100F (37.7C). Due to extreme thirst, he drank about three gallons of water within five hours. Initially, he had problems like nausea and fatigue, which turned into serious complications like chest pain and difficulty in breathing by the evening. Doctors at the hospital diagnosed water poisoning.
Let's know what is this problem.
Two cases were reported in three months
It is worth noting that before this case in Texas, in the early weeks of July, a 35-year-old woman Ashley Summers in Indiana city of US was also diagnosed with water poisoning. This also led to Ashley's death.
Health experts say that it is important for all people to know about this serious health condition and be alert about health. Drinking too much water can also be dangerous for you. Although cases of water poisoning are quite rare, its risks cannot be ignored.
What is the problem of water poisoning?
Our body needs water to function properly, but if you drink too much water in a short time, it can have a serious effect on health. Due to drinking too much water, the electrolyte balance of the body starts deteriorating. Water poisoning is also known as water intoxication. Drinking too much water can interfere with the normal functions of the brain and kidneys.
Drinking too much water reduces the amount of electrolytes, especially sodium, in the blood. This condition is called hyponatremia. If it is not diagnosed and treated on time, there can be a risk of life-threatening problems.
What can be its side effects?
When a person drinks too much water in a short time, his brain cells start swelling and the pressure inside the skull increases. This can cause problems like headaches, nausea, and vomiting. If it is not diagnosed on time, the symptoms start worsening, due to which there is a risk of muscle weakness or cramps, increased blood pressure, vision and confusion problems, and difficulty in breathing.
In severe cases, seizures, brain damage, coma, and even death can occur.
How much water do you need?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are no official guidelines in this regard. The amount of water you should drink daily may vary depending on factors such as body weight, physical activity, climate, and breastfeeding.
Generally, 3-4 liters of water per day is considered sufficient for adults. According to a 2013 study, our kidneys can excrete about 20-28 liters of water in a day, but not more than 0.8 to 1.0 liters per hour. Drinking more than this amount of water should be avoided.
(PC: ISTOCK)
