Water Intoxication
Water
intoxication is also referred to as hyper hydration or simply water poisoning.
It is the potential disturbance of the brain function where in normal balance
of electrolytes is forced outside of safe limits by water. It is also the
extreme retention of water with sodium reduction.
Causes
There
are possible medications that cause water intoxification which are concentraid,
DDVAP, desmopressin, minirin, octostim and stimate. Combination of certain
drugs, medications and substances or toxins may cause a reaction that leads to
water intoxication.
Signs and Symptoms
Water
intoxication symptoms are nausea, muscle cramps, difficulty in concentrating,
speech is slurred, confusion, hyponatremia, gastrointestinal dilation, bladder
is dilated, hydronephrosis and edema.
Diagnosis
The
doctor will make sure that the patient's symptoms are because of water
intoxication. Water intoxication is distinguished by excess water both in and
around the cells of the body while excess volume of blood happens when the body
has too much sodium and cannot move water to basins in the cells.
Treatment
For
mild water intoxication only fluid restriction is required. In severe cases
treatment used are diuretics to increase urination, saline to restore sodium
electrolyte levels and symptomatic treatment.
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