Many people resort to drinking large amounts of water at the time of breaking the fast in Ramadan, and this has health effects because filling the stomach with liquids is more distressing than filling it with food, especially after a long period of fasting, so a cup of water can be drunk every two hours after breaking the fast.
Dangers of drinking too much water at breakfast time
Digestion problemsWhen a person suddenly consumes an excessive amount of water after a period of fasting, the stomach becomes full of fluids, and this matter is more distressing than filling it with food.
Hyponatremia: Salts and minerals help maintain the balance of fluids inside and outside the cells of the body. Excess water dilutes sodium in the blood, which leads to an influx of fluids into the cells, which causes them to swell.
diarrheaExcessive water leads to hypokalemia or an imbalance of potassium ions inside and outside the cells, which in turn causes diarrhea and prolonged sweating.
Fluid buildup in the brain: If hyponatremia occurs to the brain cells, the intracranial pressure increases. The accumulation of fluid in the brain is called cerebral edema, which affects the brain stem and causes an imbalance in the functions of the central nervous system. Brain enlargement can lead to speech impediment, confusion, unsteady gait, psychosis, and even death.
pressure on the heartExcessive water consumption increases the volume of blood within the body. Increased blood volume puts unnecessary pressure on blood vessels and the heart. This can lead to heart failure in people on dialysis.
Acute kidney injuryWater intoxication can lead to acute kidney injury. Consuming a lot of water reduces the plasma levels of arginine vasopressin which helps maintain kidney function. Therefore, the kidneys need to make extra efforts to maintain homeostasis.
frequent urinationExcessive water consumption can lead to frequent urination.
Headache
vomiting
Nausea
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