Fluid ingestion can we overhydrate How does hypokalemia fit into this - Essay Example

Most of the time, runners in marathon as they engage on the activity induce or drink fluids in excess to the idea that this will help them stay longer. Not also marathon runners do, but also those who are engaging in tough physical activities like sports who always have liters of water on their side to quench their thirst. Marathon runners should be informed that drinking too much water is not advisable as the engage in that sweat pouring activity. Too much fluid may dilute body salts that will result to the blood to have more water and too little sodium.

This situation will cause brain cells to get or absorb more water. It will later swell and push against the skull (De Noon, D., 2003). The human brain would more likely be affected to over-hydration, since this is the organ of the body that is most susceptible to it. During the initial stage of water intoxication or over-hydration, change of behavior can be observed. A person who suffers the effect of over-hydration may suffer drowsiness, inattentiveness, nausea and vomiting, weakness and rapid breathing.

Adrogue H.J., Madias N.E., (1581-1589), English doctors revealed the dangers of over-hydration. They said, These words from experts support the former idea of the danger that over-hydration can do to humans, and how much we should avoid it. It is not only the early symptoms wherein we should be worry at, but even to the greatest risk that it could give, which is death. Dr. Arthur Siegel, an expert from Mc Lean Hospital in Belmont, MA (Harvard affiliated hospital) declared; April 2006, in Boston Marathon, Cynthia Lucero, 28 years old, died because of over-hydration effects in a 22-mile mark marathon.

Another marathon runner, KC Lucero also suffered water intoxication, but fortunately survived. According to her, prior the race she increased her salt intake about a week