Water plays a fundamental role in the development of our body, so it is important to drink between 2 and 3 liters of water a day to avoid dehydration. But did you know drinking too little is just as bad as drinking too much? Do you know Potomania?
What is Potomania?
Potomania is a concept that describes the desire to drink large amounts of water compulsively without a prior feeling of thirst. Psychiatric imbalances usually cause Potomania since eating disorders are usually related to psychological problems and personality disorders.
But anyone who consciously drinks more than 6 liters should see a specialist in endocrinology to detect other types of disorders.
Causes that can lead to addiction to drinking water
- Hormonal disorders can affect the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a brain region that emits the signal to “be thirsty.” Therefore, an alteration in the functioning mechanism of the hypothalamus could cause episodes of Potomania.
- In organic disorders or hormonal pathologies, such as diabetes mellitus, one of the main symptoms is polydipsia or excessive thirst.
- Having kidney disease
- Anorexia nervosa is used to satiate without eating caloric food.
Potomania treatment
Treatment will depend on the cause of Potomania, although a common feature will be to reduce water intake to 1-1.5 liters per day and perhaps a diuretic to increase water excretion and sodium intake.
What are the health consequences of drinking too much water?
Excess fluids do not usually cause hyperhydration as long as the pituitary gland, kidneys, and heart work properly. Despite this, if the episodes are repetitive and sustained, Potomania can end up causing the components of the blood to dilute and produce an imbalance in the concentration of electrolytes.
Hyponatremia is a serious consequence that can appear in Potomania and consists of the body concentrating a very low amount of sodium in the blood (less than 120 mEq/l). Severe hyponatremia prevents normal function of the brain, muscles, organs, and metabolism. The result can cause nausea, headaches, lethargy, seizures, and coma.
What you should know…
- A healthy person needs between 2 and 3 liters of water daily, which can be obtained through food, the liquids we ingest, and the ones we produce within the body.
- Potomania is a disorder where you can consume more than seven liters of water daily. Psychiatric imbalances usually cause it since eating disorders are usually related to psychological problems and personality disorders.
- But if a person is aware that they drink more than 6 liters of water daily, they should go to the endocrinologist to rule out other problems.
