Source: www.doctorshub.com.ng

Death is lurking around every corner. Like, seriously. And while most of us may proudly feel a sense of accomplishment because we have mastered how to survive and not get eaten alive or dead by Sharks, get bitten to death by very large evil reptilian creatures, or get viciously struck to death by wicked bolts of lightening, we still stand a high chance of getting nixed by seemingly trivial things we do daily and take for granted.

Consider water intoxication for example. Who would ever think that ordinary water, with all its numerous healing and life-giving properties, has the capacity for assuming a poisonously lethal dimension? Yet, it is the truth that water can become very toxic to the body when excessively and hurriedly ingested. It can kill you dead!

So for those of us reading this piece who are obsessed with updating things, you may want to quickly update the famous "1001 ways to die" to include water intoxication to the macabre list....assuming the list does not already include water intoxication.
Now you are wondering, right? Asking, how is water intoxication even possible? Even when excessively and hurriedly ingested, how does death from it happen? How does water, the universal solvent of universal appeal, becomes a killing agent?
Just relax....let me explain.
What is water intoxication and how does death result from it?

According to wikipedia, water intoxication , also known as water poisoning or hyperhydration, is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside safe limits by overhydration.
Confused, right?

Precisely what I expected. But just before you lose hope, let me demystify all the medical jargons in wiki's definition to bits that are easy to grasp and understand.

What wikipedia is saying in essence is this: when you drink too much water over a short period of time, it affects your brain and can kill you because the level of salts in your body becomes abnormal.
How exactly does this happen?

As it is widely known, the body is predominantly made up of water--- 60%. And this volume is the normal and tightly regulated by the thirst centres in our brains: when there is a drop in the water volume, we feel thirsty and want to drink water to up the volume back to the normal. And when we have been drinking too much, the thirst centre in our brains goes off so that we lose the urge to drink more water. That's how it works. Isn't God fabulous?

Now, you must understand that there are salts e.g Sodium, Potassium, etc ( also known as electrolytes) present in our bodies. These salts are important for our survival...a single drop or rise in their normal values can kill us in minutes. For the purpose of this piece, Sodium is the salt of importance here. Its normal body range is 135-145mmol/l. However, when too much water is in the body, the normal value drops, a condition known as hyponatraemia. And yes, even though there are other causes, drinking too much water over a short period of time causes it too. Its like you have only a teaspoon of sugar poured into a drum of water. You stir the drum of water encouragingly, expectant that by the time you take the spoon to the tip of your tongue you would taste sweetness. Let's be reasonable here guys... would you be able to taste sweetness from that drum? Good. Same thing happens in water intoxication. The sodium becomes insignificant...its effect completely neutralized. Very small salt lost in a sea of water. When this happens to you, just know that your enemies in the village are winning the war to kill you.

Naturally, the kidneys regulate body water by excreting excess via urination. That's why you piss a lot when you drink too much. But even the kidneys are not superkidneys. They do have a limit. And once the water becomes too much for them to handle, they become overwhelmed and they shut down!
That is not a nice thing to happen to anyone, not even your enemies in the village.
So let's bring the pieces together and see what becomes of the puzzle: you drink too much water over a short time + your body salt becomes low + your kidneys are overwhelmed + what? Cerebral oedema: Your brain becomes soft, buggy and mush because lots of water from the excess goes to the brain. You get a watery brain from drinking too much water over a short time, you know....quote me anywhere.


In case you are wondering why anyone, for goodness' sake, would drink so much water to the point of death, you are not a lone. I also wondered about it. But you see, so many people, in the name of appearing cool and making waves on social media do incredible things. Poverty also plays a role....just imagine I drop $5000 in front of you and dare you to gulp down, right away, a 25L gallon of water. Your eyes would light up, wouldn't they? Especially in this Buhari regime. Thats what poverty does to your mind....it makes you desperate and blinds you to fatal risks. You only see the dollars, not the risk. Many of the deaths attributed to water intoxication have often been the result of people pulling these incredible stunts.

Also, water intoxication is a very common occurrence among athletes. In trying to stay hydrated, some of them become intoxicated by drinking just too much in a short while.

As a final note, you may want to be careful and moderate the volume of water you drink. Usually, tragedy ensues when you drink it over a short period of time. So instead of finishing one gallon at a go, phase it out: finish it in, say 4hrs or 10hrs. Make it easy for your kidneys to excrete the excess. And you shouldn't, because of this article, decide to start drinking too little water neither: because you will meet an equally tragic and perhaps more painful end.
Drink the right amount at the right time. Follow your body's instructions and drink in proportion to your body's needs.


Until another time,
Visit www.doctorshub.com.ng for free health consultation

Wetin we no go hear..
Drink plenty water for long life now u are coming with your own

LOL, people have been miseducated, this is a medical write up from a Doctor not just nutritionist, you can visit www.doctorshub.com.ng for free health consultation

swagkingcole:
Wetin we no go hear..
Drink plenty water for long life now u are coming with your own

na Toto water ..man go dey drink now

lol, calm down nah

segebase:
na Toto water ..man go dey drink now