Water poisoning
Then too much water becomes dangerous
Too much water can be dangerous for the body.
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Too much water can be dangerous. Brooke Shields also had to experience this. Background to water poisoning and healthy amounts of water.
Water is absolutely necessary for the body. It boosts metabolism, helps with thinking and makes the body fit. If we don’t drink water, the body becomes dehydrated and can dry out. Depending on the extent, such a lack of water can lead to severe impairments Health. But if excessive water consumption occurs, it can also have consequences for the body.
Brooke Shields suffered water intoxication
If you drink too much water, your body experiences an oversupply. This dilutes the salt content in the blood. This disrupts the metabolism and the balance of minerals in the body. In the worst case, this can lead to water intoxication or hyponatremic encephalopathy if there is too little sodium in the blood.
US actress Brooke Shields, 58, recently experienced this. To ensure she had enough fluids in her body, she drank a lot of water after a long podcast recording. She wanted to prepare for a show recording in the evening and stay fit. The result, however, was a seizure: “I foamed at the mouth, turned blue and almost swallowed my tongue,” The Hollywood star reported the incident in an interview with Glamor magazine.. It was only in the hospital that the doctors found out what had happened. “I flooded my system.” That, combined with a lack of sodium in the blood, urine and body, then triggered a seizure, says Shields.
Symptoms of water poisoning
The typical symptoms of water intoxication include other symptoms besides seizures: such as nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion or an irregular heartbeat. Fatigue, weakness and less energy may also occur. This can be the case from just three liters.
In rare cases, water poisoning can also be life-threatening. The German Barmer health insurance company provides information in a report about several deaths from water poisoning. Amateur athletes are particularly at risk because they often drink too much water for fear of dehydration. But also people who, for example, rely on water for diets in order to suppress the feeling of hunger.
Anyone who drinks large amounts of water and notices that something is wrong should seek medical advice immediately if they suspect something is wrong.
That much water a day is healthy
It is important to keep water consumption within limits. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) specifies around one and a half liters of water per day as a guideline for an average healthy person. In hot weather, during sport or during heavy physical work, three to four times this amount may be necessary.
According to the consumer advice center, daily requirements depend also depends on age, gender and body size. “The larger a body is, the more water it can lose through the skin,” it is said. To get enough fluids, the umbrella association recommends tap water, mineral water and unsweetened fruit or herbal teas. However, drinking in reserve is not a good idea. It is better to drink water throughout the day.