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From controlling body temperature and flushing out toxins, adequate hydration plays a vital role in our general health and well-being, water is a life essential. However, while dehydration garners significant attention, overhydration, or drinking excessive amounts of water, is a condition that can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.
Although it may sound bizarre since drinking water is said to be the solution for most health related problems it is important to recognize how much water is considered "too much" or the risks involved with being overhydrated can maintain a healthy balance.
Water intoxication, also termed hyperhydration, water poisoning or water toxemia, develops when an individual drinks much more water than the kidney can excrete. The main function of the kidneys in the human body is the processing and excretion of excess water. However, the human kidneys can process only up to 0.8 to 1.0 liters of water at a time. Drinking an amount that exceeds this may overwhelm the kidneys and put the electrolyte balance out of sync in the human body.
Electrolytes, especially sodium, are essential in maintaining fluid balance within and outside cells. Hyponatremia is the condition when sodium levels fall below 135 mmol/L, resulting from excessive water intake. This causes water to shift into cells, swelling them. In the brain, this can cause severe complications, including coma or even death.
The symptoms of water intoxication vary from mild to severe. Early symptoms are often similar to dehydration, which makes self-diagnosis challenging. Common symptoms include:
In more serious cases, water intoxication can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, or swelling in the brain. These complications can be fatal if left untreated.
A notable case occurred in 2007 when a woman participating in a water-drinking contest tragically died after consuming nearly two gallons of water in under two hours. More recently, actress Brooke Shields experienced a grand mal seizure attributed to excessive water consumption.
Water intoxication is rare, but certain scenarios can increase the risk:
These endurance athletes are prone to water intoxication, especially if they drink large amounts of water without replacing lost electrolytes. Hyponatremia usually happens during long races or marathons as individuals mistake fatigue and muscle cramps for dehydration and continue drinking water in excess.
Overhydration among military personnel is usually due to severe physical activity in extreme environmental conditions. The total number of hyponatremia cases documented from 2007 through 2022 for the active duty in the United States exceeds 1,600, with a note to this problem on exertion-related overhydration.
Compulsive water drinking, known as psychogenic polydipsia, is linked with some mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and psychosis. People with these conditions tend to drink too much water, causing a hazardous electrolyte imbalance.
Drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy) raise the body temperature and make people thirsty, and at times, some people tend to drink excess water at events like music festivals. MDMA also leads to urine retention, thus exacerbating the dangers of water intoxication.
The exact amount of water that causes intoxication varies from one person to another. However, drinking more than 1 liter of water per hour for several hours raises the risk. For healthy individuals, the risk of overhydration is low unless taking part in extreme physical activity or ignoring thirst cues.
Certain medical conditions, such as kidney or liver disorders, can impair the body's ability to process fluids, and even moderate water intake may be harmful. Similarly, certain medications, such as diuretics and antipsychotics, can affect the perception of thirst or fluid regulation.
The widely touted recommendation of eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day has little basis in fact. According to the National Academy of Medicine, a daily total fluid intake is about 15 cups (3.7 liters) for males and 11 cups (2.7 liters) for females, from beverage sources and from food. Usually, about 20 percent of daily hydration comes from foods such as fruits and vegetables.
A better rule of thumb is to listen to your body and drink water based on thirst. Use the color of your urine as an indicator:
Older adults, whose thirst mechanisms may decline with age, should be proactive about maintaining hydration, especially during illness or hot weather.
The symptoms of water intoxication—such as headaches, fatigue, and muscle weakness—are similar to those of dehydration. If you are unsure which condition you are experiencing, seek medical attention immediately rather than self-treating with more water.
To avoid the dangers of overhydration:
For signs of severe water intoxication-including confusion, drowsiness, seizures, and loss of consciousness-customer is advised to seek medical assistance immediately. In the meanwhile, a salty snack would help to temporarily correct low sodium levels.
Hydration is important to health, but overhydration can be a serious risk; the secret is in finding a balance. Drink enough water to satisfy your body, but not so much that it overwhelms your system. Remember, water is life, but moderation keeps it that way.
Hyponatremia (low sodium level in the blood). National Kidney Foundation. 2023.
Water Toxicity. NIH. 2023
Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia: 2017 Update. Front Med (Lausanne). 2017
Update: Exertional Hyponatremia Among Active Component Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 2007–2022
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When John Cena started noticing blurry vision, he assumed it was simply part of getting older. But the worsening eyesight was also accompanied by redness, itchiness and crusting around his eyes.
“I had a lot of redness and itchiness, and every once in a while, waking up with eye crusties and stuff. At the same time, given my age — I'm 49 now — my vision was going a little bit, so I just figured it was par for the course. But because my vision was going, I needed to see if I needed glasses or prescriptions.”
Until then, Cena had delayed getting his eyes checked. He believed that the symptoms were caused by bright lights, excessive screen time or ageing.
However, an eye examination gave him a surprise. Cena learned that his symptoms were caused by Demodex blepharitis, a condition he says he had never heard of.
“Diagnosed with Demodex blepharitis, which I didn't even know existed.”
Also read: Study Decodes Why COVID Survivors Continue To Suffer Vision Problems
Demodex mites are tiny, eight-legged organisms that live naturally on human skin, particularly around hair follicles. Measuring just 0.15 to 0.4 millimeters, they are invisible to the naked eye but are present on the skin of almost every adult.
These microscopic mites feed on sebum (the skin's natural oil) and dead skin cells, helping remove accumulated debris under normal conditions.
Demodex mites are most active at night. They emerge from hair follicles after sunset because ultraviolet (UV) light is harmful to them. While people sleep, the mites feed, crawl and reproduce on the skin's surface.
They are also believed to be stimulated by melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep, creating a unique relationship between humans and these naturally occurring organisms.
Although harmless in small numbers, Demodex mites can cause problems if they multiply excessively—a condition known as demodicosis.
According to Dr. Richard Locksley, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, an overgrowth of Demodex mites can contribute to:
Read More: Wegovy More Likely To Cause Rare Blindness Than Ozempic And Other Similar Drugs, Recent Study Finds
People with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable because their bodies may be less able to control mite populations. In addition, inadequate sleep may increase oil production, providing more nourishment for the mites.
For most healthy people, Demodex mites are a normal part of the skin microbiome and are not considered harmful. Problems generally arise only when their numbers increase significantly.
To help reduce the risk of overgrowth:
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A stroke can happen suddenly and without warning, making every minute count. The first 60 minutes after the onset of stroke symptoms are crucial because timely medical treatment can help reduce brain damage and improve recovery.
A stroke happens when the blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off due to either the blockage of a blood vessel supplying that area or the bursting of the said blood vessel. Without adequate blood flow, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients and begin to be damaged within minutes.
The first hour after a stroke is focused on rapid assessment and treatment. Once the patient reaches the hospital, doctors evaluate the symptoms, determine when they started, and perform an urgent brain scan, usually a CT scan, to identify the type of stroke.
This step is important because treatment depends on whether the stroke is caused by a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). For eligible patients with an ischemic stroke, clot-dissolving medication or a procedure to remove the clot may be considered.
Although treatment windows may extend beyond the first hour for some patients, reaching the hospital as early as possible offers the greatest chance of saving brain tissue. In most patients, clot-dissolving medication is given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, while selected patients may be eligible for treatment up to 9 hours. Mechanical clot removal is generally performed within 6 hours, although carefully selected patients may benefit from the procedure up to 24 hours after symptoms begin. However, earlier treatment is associated with better protection of brain tissue and improved outcomes.
Recognizing stroke symptoms early can help save valuable time. The BEFAST acronym is a simple way to remember the common warning signs:
B – Sudden loss of balance or coordination
E – Sudden vision loss or changes in one or both eyes
F – Face drooping
A – Arm weakness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time to call emergency medical services
Other symptoms may include sudden loss of vision, dizziness, difficulty walking, numbness on one side of the body, confusion, or a sudden, severe headache.
During a stroke, brain cells continue to be damaged as blood flow remains interrupted. Delays in reaching the hospital can limit treatment options and increase the risk of long-term disability. Seeking medical care as early as possible gives doctors the best chance to provide appropriate treatment.
If you notice stroke symptoms in yourself or someone else, do not ignore them or wait for them to improve. Call emergency medical services immediately and note the time the symptoms first appeared, as this information helps doctors decide the most suitable treatment.
The golden hour is a critical window during which timely action can significantly improve outcomes. Recognizing the signs of stroke and seeking immediate medical care can make a meaningful difference in recovery.
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Massive wildfires have ravaged several parts of Canada and other regions of the world, filling the air with hazardous smoke. This has triggered health warnings far beyond the fire zones.
While most people experience immediate breathing problems during and after wildfires, experts say that some health effects can persist long after the skies clear.
Wildfire smoke is composed of harmful gases and microscopic particles known as PM2.5. These tiny particles are small enough to travel into our lungs and enter the bloodstream, where they can trigger inflammation throughout the body.
Unlike typical air pollution, wildfire smoke also contains toxic substances released from burning homes, plastics, furniture, vehicles, electronics, and industrial materials, making prolonged exposure particularly harmful.
Also read: Delhi's Poor AQI, Monsoon Conditions Put Children's Lungs at Risk: Ways to Keep Kids Safe
Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can have long-term effects on the respiratory system. Possible health effects may include:
Children, older adults, and people with existing lung conditions face the highest risk because their lung function is already compromised.
Also read: Phones, Pollution, AI: What Is Driving Cognitive Decline In Humans?
The tiny particles in wildfire smoke don't just stay confined to the lungs. Once they enter the bloodstream, they can affect the cardiovascular system. In the long run, research says wildfire smoke exposure can lead to:
With frequent incidences of wildfires, scientists are looking into how wildfire smoke affects the brain. Emerging evidence suggests smoke exposure may contribute to:
Wildfires can affect mental health in more than one way. Besides the stress of evacuation and property loss, smoke exposure itself may contribute to mental health problems directly. One is at the risk of the following mental health issues after exposure:
Communities repeatedly exposed to wildfire events may experience prolonged psychological distress that could often go undetected.
Growing evidence suggests that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke may increase the risk of several cancers. Studies have reported possible associations with lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, and certain blood cancers
Although researchers say more studies are needed to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the findings highlight the importance of limiting repeated smoke exposure.
Also read: How Air Pollution Puts Heart Patients At Risk - What You Can Do About It
Pregnant women are among the groups considered most vulnerable to wildfire smoke. Research suggests exposure during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and other pregnancy complications.
Healthcare providers recommend minimizing outdoor exposure whenever air quality deteriorates.
Even after visible smoke disappears, harmful particles may remain in the air. Experts recommend:
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