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What Causes Water Intoxication?
My sons friend is 16 with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, billirubin in urine, extreme fatigue, anemia, D3 deficiency. They have tried for 2 years to figure out problems. Been to mulitple doctors. Liver function and kidney function tests done but come out clear. Blood pressure can be 170/100 sometimes and higher in right arm vs left arm and same standing sitting or laying. Was diagnosed with water intoxication last year. Major athlete. Any ideas of what these symptoms mean
Fri, 21 Oct 2022
Hello,
Overhydration can lead to water intoxication. This occurs when the amount of salt and other electrolytes in your body become too diluted. Hyponatremia is a condition in which sodium (salt) levels become dangerously low. This is the main concern of overhydration.
Some conditions and medicines cause overhydration by making your body hold on to more fluid. These include congestive heart failure (CHF), liver disease, kidney problems, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and uncontrolled diabetes.
Other conditions and drugs can cause increased water intake by making you extremely thirsty. These include schizophrenia, MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), antipsychotic drugs, and diuretics. As treatment cut back on your fluid intake. Take diuretics to increase the amount of urine you produce. Treat the condition that caused the overhydration. Stop any medications causing the problem. Replace sodium in severe cases.
In your case, the boy needs a cardiologist consultation for high blood pressure and possible heart failure. He needs to use antihypertensive medications if the blood pressure goes on consistently high.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
Overhydration can lead to water intoxication. This occurs when the amount of salt and other electrolytes in your body become too diluted. Hyponatremia is a condition in which sodium (salt) levels become dangerously low. This is the main concern of overhydration.
Some conditions and medicines cause overhydration by making your body hold on to more fluid. These include congestive heart failure (CHF), liver disease, kidney problems, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and uncontrolled diabetes.
Other conditions and drugs can cause increased water intake by making you extremely thirsty. These include schizophrenia, MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), antipsychotic drugs, and diuretics. As treatment cut back on your fluid intake. Take diuretics to increase the amount of urine you produce. Treat the condition that caused the overhydration. Stop any medications causing the problem. Replace sodium in severe cases.
In your case, the boy needs a cardiologist consultation for high blood pressure and possible heart failure. He needs to use antihypertensive medications if the blood pressure goes on consistently high.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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