Ways To Treat Overhydration

The concerns regarding dehydration are real, and many individuals worry about drinking enough water to prevent it. However, many individuals do not stop to think about the effect of too much water on their body. It may not even cross someone's mind that it is possible to drink too much water, but it is. Overhydration causes electrolytes in the body to dilute. When the salt levels are too low, the body goes into hyponatremia, which can cause serious health problems if not treated properly. While it is very rare for someone to die from drinking too much water, it can happen if they do not seek treatment immediately.

Lower Fluid Intake

When individuals lower their fluid intake, they are quickly able to get a head start on treating overhydration. Individuals cannot allow the salt and electrolytes in the body to become even more diluted or they will suffer from worse health problems. Lowering fluid intake means more than not drinking as much water. It is best to lower or cease all fluid intake until patients have a chance to see their doctor.

This is almost always the first thing a doctor will recommend as treatment, but the other options a doctor chooses to use to treat overhydration depend on how serious a patient's fluid retention levels are. Not all individuals suffer from overhydration because they drank too much. Some suffer because their body is retaining water.

Replace Sodium When The Condition Is Severe

When individuals suffer from overhydration, one way to help the body's salt intake and electrolyte production is to replace sodium when the condition is severe. Individuals spend their entire life hearing that eating too much salt is bad, but they must consume sodium to keep their body working properly. If individuals are suffering from overhydration, they can eat something salty to help replace the diluted sodium.

Pretzels, salty chips, and anything with a high sodium content can help replace sodium. The caveat to this is anyone who suffers from a kidney condition or a hormonal imbalance should not eat salty food. The sodium in the tissues of individuals who suffer from these health concerns can further retain water, causing more damage to the body.