To stay healthy, drink plenty of water? Be cautious if you have 'this condition'

Water is an essential element for basic human activities necessary for survival, such as △blood circulation, △body temperature regulation, △waste elimination, and △nutrient absorption. As such, it is well known that drinking water frequently and sufficiently is good for health, but people with certain medical conditions need to be cautious, as drinking water can sometimes harm their health. Let's find out which common diseases require limiting water intake and how to regulate hydration.

 

 

Water is essential for maintaining health, but in some conditions, fluid intake can be harmful.

Water is essential for maintaining health, but in some conditions, fluid intake can be harmful.

 

3 diseases that require avoiding excessive water intake

 

1. Cirrhosis

The liver plays a crucial role in synthesizing proteins within the body and maintaining the balance of body fluids and electrolytes. However, when conditions such as chronic hepatitis, fatty liver, or excessive alcohol consumption cause the liver to harden and lose its function, a condition called cirrhosis occurs, impairing the liver's ability to perform its functions properly. In particular, the reduction in the production of albumin, a protein in the blood, is problematic. Albumin helps maintain the osmotic pressure of blood vessels, ensuring an appropriate amount of body fluid. When albumin is deficient, fluids can leak out of the blood vessels, leading to ascites and generalized edema. Since there is a risk of excessive fluid accumulation, it is necessary to regulate fluid intake accordingly.

 

2. Heart failure

Heart failure is a condition in which structural and functional abnormalities occur in the heart due to coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, or other causes. When heart failure is present, the problem is that the entire body does not receive or circulate enough blood as needed. In such cases, consuming excessive fluids can lead to an increase in blood volume, causing edema, and may place additional strain on the heart, so caution is necessary. It is common to see swelling in the lower extremities such as ankles or calves due to poor blood circulation, and some individuals may experience shortness of breath due to pulmonary edema caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs. If these symptoms occur, it is important to drink less water than usual rather than excessive fluid intake.

 

3. Renal failure

'Kidney failure' refers to a condition in which the kidneys lose their ability to remove waste products from the blood and to properly maintain the body's fluid levels and electrolyte concentrations. It is a disease well known as a complication of diabetes and hypertension, and it is characterized by being a chronic disease that is difficult to fully recover from once it occurs. Since patients with kidney failure have difficulty excreting water through urine when they drink a lot of water, the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body can be disrupted, leading to electrolyte imbalances such as hyponatremia, and overall health can deteriorate with worsening edema and hypertension. As the disease progresses to the terminal stage, these symptoms become more severe and treatment becomes more difficult, so caution should be exercised to avoid excessive water intake.

 

Adjusting intake based on type and stage of progression... helps with diuretic use as well.

However, having these conditions does not mean that completely abstaining from water is the best course of action. If the body's hydration levels become too low, dehydration can impair bodily functions, and damage can occur to various organs such as the kidneys, liver, muscles, and brain. In such cases, it is best to adjust fluid intake in consultation with medical professionals rather than deciding on your own how much to drink. This is because the recommended fluid intake varies depending on the type and stage of the disease. If the body's ability to excrete fluids through urine or sweat is relatively intact, there is no need to excessively reduce fluid intake. However, if these functions are already significantly impaired, the disease may worsen, so caution is necessary.

 

Additionally, total fluid intake should not be calculated solely based on pure water consumption but should also consider the intake through food, so more attention should be paid to food consumption. It is better to consume bland foods rather than salty foods that disrupt the body's electrolyte balance and promote fluid intake. If consuming foods rich in water, such as fruits and vegetables, it is more helpful to eat them in small portions rather than all at once. Especially for patients with renal failure, consuming too much sugar and potassium found in fruits and vegetables can be harmful, so it is important to consider nutrients and consume them in a way that does not harm health.

 

If there is already an excessive accumulation of fluids in the body, diuretic treatment can also be helpful. Patients with cirrhosis and heart failure who take diuretics can excrete the excess fluid accumulated in the body and somewhat alleviate edema. However, in the case of patients with renal failure, diuretics may be helpful in the early stages, but if renal failure has progressed significantly and they are undergoing dialysis, the effectiveness of diuretics may be limited.

 

An Se-jin HiDoc Health and Medical Reporter hidoceditor@mcircle.biz

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