WATER INTOXICATION Meaning and
Definition
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Water intoxication, also known as water poisoning or water overdose, refers to a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by an excessive intake of water that disrupts the proper functioning of the body. It occurs when an individual consumes an abnormally large volume of water, leading to an imbalanced concentration of electrolytes, particularly sodium, in the bloodstream.
Typically, a person's body has mechanisms to maintain a stable internal balance of fluids and electrolytes. However, consuming excessive amounts of water overwhelms these mechanisms, diluting the electrolyte concentration in the blood to dangerous levels. As a result, cells in the body begin to absorb excess water, leading to swelling and potentially affecting various organs, including the brain.
The symptoms of water intoxication may initially include nausea, headache, confusion, dizziness, and general weakness. In severe cases, it can progress to seizures, unconsciousness, coma, and even death.
Water intoxication can occur in various situations, such as excessive water consumption during physical activities, endurance events, or as a misguided weight loss strategy. It can also be a consequence of certain medical conditions or the side effects of medications.
Treatment for water intoxication typically involves a gradual and controlled correction of the electrolyte imbalance. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to provide intravenous fluids and closely monitor electrolyte levels.
Prevention of water intoxication involves maintaining a balanced approach to hydration, understanding one's own fluid needs based on activity level and climate, and avoiding excessive, rapid water intake in a short period.
Common Misspellings for WATER INTOXICATION
- qater intoxication
- aater intoxication
- sater intoxication
- eater intoxication
- 3ater intoxication
- 2ater intoxication
- wzter intoxication
- wster intoxication
- wwter intoxication
- wqter intoxication
- warer intoxication
- wafer intoxication
- wager intoxication
- wayer intoxication
- wa6er intoxication
- wa5er intoxication
- watwr intoxication
- watsr intoxication
- watdr intoxication
- watrr intoxication
Etymology of WATER INTOXICATION
The term "water intoxication" is composed of two important elements: "water" and "intoxication".
The word "water" has roots in Old English, where it was spelled "waeter". This in turn comes from the Proto-Germanic word "watar", which is related to the Old Norse "vatn", Old High German "wazzar", and Gothic "wato". Ultimately, these all trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*wodr̥", meaning water.
The word "intoxication" comes from the Latin word "intoxicatio", derived from the verb "intoxicāre", meaning to poison. The prefix "in-" in Latin typically denotes negation or opposition, so "intoxicatio" can be understood as "non-poisoning". In modern English, "intoxication" refers to the state of being poisoned or intoxicated.
