Have you ever heard that drinking too much water can kill you !!! Well,while that may be an uncommon thing to say about water intake. Let's dive into some element of it's underlying truths.
What is excessive water intake? Excessive water intake otherwise called water poisoning, water intoxication, hyper-hydration,or over-hydration is a condition whereby there's a great rise in the water content of the body due to excess intake. This can result in severe conditions like impaired brain function,shock,and muscle paralysis.
Did you know that your body has a self-regulatory process in maintaining water balance at a optimum level when you drink too much water. This process is termed as Homeostasis. It is the maintenance of a constant optimum internal environment of the body. There are two important regulatory organ in the body as concerned to regulating water intake. There are the brain and kidney which is a major organ , sometimes the lungs and skin are involved. To know how this organs function in maintaining a constant internal environment is the first step in understanding regulatory body functions.
The brain and kidneys work together to maintain the right amount of water in our body Here is a summarize functions in these two primary organs in regulating water intake .
The Brain:
1. Monitors water levels in the blood.
2. Sends signals to make us feel thirsty when water levels are low.
3. Tells us to drink water to replenish lost fluids.
The Kidneys:
1. Filter waste and excess water from the blood.
2. Adjust urine production to conserve or release water.
3. Help maintain electrolyte balance.
Key Hormones:
1. ADH (antidiuretic hormone): helps kidneys reabsorb water.
2. ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide): helps kidneys release excess water.
(Sembulingam, 2019)..
Taking a look at the subject of water intoxication. It actually occurs when there's alot of water in the body more than the body can excrete via the two primary organs. Water intoxication however is rare when the body is functioning normally. Any damage to the primary organ of water regulatory intake especially the kidney which excrete water via urine will lead to water intoxication. This is due to water retention in the body with a failing kidney that cannot excrete the body water. Aside from the fact that water intoxication is caused by an underlying organ damage,infacts pose a higher risk of developing water poisoning during the first month of their life,since the kidney is underdeveloped. Also,a healthy adult can suffer the same if the person consumes about 8-12L of water everyday constantly.
Your body functions so tirelessly to put all internal changes to moderation. Some signs and symptoms of water intoxication include sudden weight loss,shock, vomiting, impaired brain function leading to behavioral changes,muscle twitching and blurred vision. In mild cases of excess water intake,a stop to drinking any further would do the trick. In severe cases,IV fluid may be needed to improve the salinity of the body fluid and also some diuretics to increase water loss via urine.
There's no doubt that your body natural make up needs everything to be done at moderation. Don't be dehydrated or over-hydrated, be well-hydrated .
Reference:
Sembulingam, K., & Sembulingam, P. (2020). Essentials of medical physiology. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers.
- Edition: 7th
- ISBN: 978-935-952-078-0
- Page count: 912
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