A MAN suffered several life-threatening asthma attacks after downing too much water.
The 72-year-old was admitted to hospital in China after he began wheezing, felt chest tightness, and struggled to breathe.
The unnamed man had been managing his asthma independently for two years before the incident, with typical inhalers and oral medications.
Doctors treating him discovered the man had been drinking “large amounts of water” each day – around 3.5 litres.
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed, making it difficult to breathe.
Common triggers for the condition include allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander, as well as irritants such as smoke, pollution, and strong odour.
Exercise, respiratory infections, and even stress can also provoke asthma symptoms. Drinking too much water is a very rare trigger.
At the time of his reaction, the man was already on an IV, receiving extra fluids to help with his dry mouth.
Despite consuming so many fluids, his urine output remained too low – which caused by doctors described as a “serious fluid imbalance,” as outlined in a report in Clinical Medical Insight.
“The excessive fluid retention was suspected to contribute to pulmonary congestion, further aggravating his asthma symptoms,” wrote doctors from the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
As his condition worsened, medics introduced diuretics to help reduce water buildup in the body.
His fluid intake was strictly controlled, and his daily pee output was monitored closely.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”How to spot asthma in your child and signs of an asthma attack ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6361136930112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Over the next few days, his asthma attacks became less frequent and severe, and his breathing improved.
The patient’s condition stabilised, and he was eventually discharged with controlled symptoms.
This case shows how excessive fluid intake can worsen asthma.
It does this by increasing blood volume and causing pulmonary edema, a condition where excess fluid builds up in the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties.
While rare, this case warns doctors about the risks of excessive fluid consumption triggering asthma flare-ups.
“Given the limited data available on this phenomenon, further studies are necessary to establish the exact mechanisms by which excessive water intake influences asthma and to develop guidelines for fluid management in patients with respiratory conditions,” the authors said.
“Recognising and addressing fluid overload may help improve asthma outcomes and reduce prolonged hospital stays for affected individuals”.
[boxout headline=”How much water is right for me?” featured-image=”33839255″ intro=”How much water we need to drink all depends on our age, size, and exercise routine.”]A good starting point is to try and drink 35ml of water for every kilogram of body weight.
For example:
- If you weigh 72kg (159lbs), you should aim to drink around 2.5l of water per day
- If you weigh 85kg (188lbs), you should aim to drink around 3l of water per day
- If you weigh 100kg (220lbs), you should aim to drink around 3.5l of water per day
How much is too much?
Just like determining how much water is right for you, this all depends on the person and the environment they live in.
If we drink too much water, we risk losing valuable minerals like salt and potassium in our urine. If we drink too little, these minerals can start to crystalise and form kidney stones.
It’s important to remember that it’s a lot easier to feel dehydrated than it is to feel overhydrated.
To work out what’s best for you, find out how much you need based on the guidance above and stick to it, with some fluctuations if you’re working out or sweating more than usual.
Does exercise influence how much water we should drink?
Yes, if you’re hotter and sweating more during exercise, you will need to drink more fluid to replenish what you’ve lost.
Signs you are hydrated
- You don’t feel thirsty
- You don’t have a dry mouth
- Your urine is clear and light in colour
- You aren’t going long periods without using the toilet
- You have the energy to get things done
- You aren’t feeling overly tired or fatigued
Signs you are not drinking enough:
When our body isn’t getting enough water, we start to feel dehydrated. This means the body is losing more fluid than it’s taking in.
We all feel dehydrated from time to time, but in some cases it can be a sign of something more serious. If you’re drinking regularly and still feeling dehydrated, see a GP as soon as possible.
Some common signs of dehydration include:
- You’re feeling sluggish and tired
- You can’t think clearly
- Your urine is dark in colour
- You’re thirsty
- You lack the energy to get things done
- You frequently experience headaches or migraines
- You’re constipated and don’t use the toilet regularly
Using a filter jug can also help you keep track of how much you’re drinking throughout the day.
Source: Nuffield Health