Exercise? Drinking Too Much Water Can Cause Serious Health Problems

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drinking too much water

New studies are showing that some people are drinking too much water during and after working out.  This new study claims that “over-drinking” water can have serious health affects on your system.

According to a report from Consumer Affairs [1]:

A new statement from this year’s International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference goes against what many believe to be the safest course of action. Researchers say that drinking too much when exercising can be extremely dangerous, and that you should only drink when thirsty. 

Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) occurs when a person drinks too much water when exercising. If your body cannot remove all of the extra fluids through sweat or urine, then your body’s sodium levels will begin to dilute. These sodium levels are extremely important because they help regulate many of your body’s internal systems.

Symptoms of EAH include headache, vomiting, confusion, and seizures. These result from your brain swelling and your body being unable to handle the physical changes. There are often no signs or symptoms until your sodium levels are very low, and severe cases of EAH can even be fatal.  

This was the case with two high school football players who died of EAH last summer. Their deaths were a major force behind the Consensus Panel reconvening.

“Our major goal was to re-educate the public on the hazards of drinking beyond thirst during exercise,” said Dr. Tamara Hew-Butler, who is the lead author of the updated report. 

The updated report states that people need to be careful about how much water they drink when exercising, especially in the summer months when the heat can drive people to drink even more. 

“The safest individualized hydration strategy before, during and immediately following exercise is to drink palatable fluids when thirsty,” says the Consensus Panel.

 

Source:

[1] http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/drinking-too-much-water-when-exercising-could-pose-serious-health-risks-063015.html

Royce Christyn

Royce Christyn

Journalist at News Punch
Documentarian, Writer, Producer, Director, Author.
Royce Christyn

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