Your Muscles Feel Weak And Tend To Cramp Easily
Having a healthy, fully functioning body is all about balance. When you drink too much water, your electrolyte levels drop and that balance is compromised. Low electrolyte levels can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, including muscle spasms and cramping. You can prevent muscle problems by replacing a couple glasses of water a day with coconut water, which is full of electrolytes and 100 percent natural, or an electrolyte drinkhere are 7 that nutritionists recommend.
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Your Baby Could Get Blue Baby Syndrome From Nitrates
Methemoglobinemia, also known as “blue baby syndrome,” occurs in infants when they simply aren’t getting enough oxygen in their blood. Hemoglobins are responsible for carrying oxygen in our blood. However, with excessive exposure to nitrates, the hemoglobin is converted into methemoglobin, which prohibits it from carrying oxygen to the blood.
Adults have mature enzymes that are able to convert this methemoglobin back to hemoglobin. However, infants don’t have these enzymes and methemoglobin can be dangerous if left untreated. Infants with “blue baby syndrome” can develop cyanosis, a bluish tint to the skin. If nitrate levels continue to escalate, infants can develop permanent brain damage or die.
According to Dr. Kouri, “Nitrates originate primarily from fertilizers and can get into the drinking water. Babies drink a large amount of water relative to their size. Even short term exposure to nitrates at the level or just above the acceptable level can pose a threat to infants.”
How To Test The Quality Of Water When Traveling
Signs that your water may be unsafe include a change in odor, color, or taste. However, many microbes are odorless and colorless and are undetectable without proper water testing tools. Many of these tools include strips you compare to a colored chart. If you really want to play it safe, purchase a kit before you leave for your destination.
You can also turn to reliable water purification methods and devices when traveling, such as the ones described below.
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You Could Get Legionnaires Disease
The Mayo Clinic defines Legionnaires disease as a severe form of pneumonia. An infection causes lung inflammation, which is often accompanied by a fever, muscle pain, headache, and chills. Additionally, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and other symptoms may be present after the first day of infection. In most cases, elderly residents, smokers, and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to contracting Legionnaires disease.
This disease is contracted after exposure to a bacterium called legionella. According to Dr. Anthony Kouri, M.D. from the University of Toledo Medical Center, “It is usually spread through aerosolized water, but can be present in ice machines, water filters, water heaters, or in a shower head.”
The Rx: The EPA ensures that SDWA regulations are met in regards to legionella bacteria. If this contaminant is present in your water, you will be notified by your water company. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , water management program teams are responsible for monitoring water quality and the presence of bacteria in the public water supply and in apartment complexes or other housing facilities.
How Tap Water Affects Gut Health
Drinking enough water is crucial for healthy digestion. It helps break down the food you eat, allowing waste to pass more easily through the intestines and boosting nutrient absorption. Water also softens stool, which helps to prevent constipation. While people should aim to drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, you shouldnt only focus on the quantity.
When it comes to drinking water, you should always question the quality.
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So What Can You Do To Improve Your Water Quality
Dont drink unfiltered water!
If you dont already have an effective water filter then go out and get one ASAP. There are several different types of filters. You can use a special pitcher , a faucet-mount, a faucet-integration system, or an under-the-sink filter.
Various filters are made from different substances, which vary in effectiveness. Some of the best filters use activated carbon . Activated carbon works by binding to contaminants and removing them from your water.
Other Contaminants Are Invisible
A number of contaminants, including arsenic and nitrates, are hidden to the naked eye. In many cases, a single drinking water system will contain more than one hazardous chemical, making it difficult for individuals to evaluate the overall health risk.
“We’re never exposed to just one agent,” said Jamie DeWitt, an associate toxicology professor at East Carolina University.
DeWitt said even a reverse osmosis system the one recommended by Erin Brockovich can trap contaminated water in its filters. Though she uses a filtration system in her own home, she said it’s mostly to remove the bad taste of chlorination byproducts.
Her main advice is to know your water source and read water quality reports from your local utility even before you smell, taste, or see something bad.
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How Do Germs That Cause Diarrhea Spread In Recreational Water
If someone is sick and has diarrhea in the water, millions of germs can contaminate the water. These germs can make other people sick if they swallow even a small amount of contaminated water. Swallowing 10 or fewer germs can make people sick. Germs can also get in the water if swimmers have poop, even tiny amounts, on their bottoms.
Pool chemicals and filters help kill germs
Filters and disinfectants work together to help kill germs in pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds. Filters remove debris , which use up the disinfectant in the water. Pool staff make sure chlorine or bromine is at the level needed to kill most germs in the water within minutes. You can still be exposed to germs during the time it takes for the water to go through filters and for the disinfectant to kill germs. You can also get diarrhea from germs that are hard to kill, such as Crypto. Crypto stays alive for more than 7 days, even if water is properly filtered and disinfected.
Many places with pools use one filtration system for more than one pool, which causes water from multiple pools to mix. This means germs from one persons body could contaminate the water in more than one pool.
Crypto and Swimming Pools
Possible Side Effects Of Drinking Alkaline Water:
Here we enlisted, some shocking 9.5 Alkaline water side effects on health. Lets have a look into them.
The information presented below are reported based on the behavioral patterns observed in a few subjects as part of scientific studies. However, there is no strong evidence to prove that these side effects are caused due to alkaline water alone and hence, the user must follow discretion while following the information
1. Digestive Malfunctioning:
Drinking alkaline water causes steep changes in the level of pH, and it can hinder the digestion process. The digestive malfunctioning caused due to alkaline water is more severe in people over the age of 60. It has been revealed that prolonged use of alkaline water for drinking can lead to hypochlorhydria that is characterized by decreased absorption of calcium in the body.
2. Causes Dehydration:
It has been found that drinking alkaline water can cause dehydration rather than keeping the body hydrated. The presence of too many ions in the body can result in acute dehydration at the cellular level. This is one of the significant points in drinking alkaline water side effects and must be made a note of!
3. Metabolic Abnormalities:
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Disclaimer: The information written in this article is purely for informational purposes only and does not intend to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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Can Your Tap Water Make You Sick
Each year, millions of Americans obtain their drinking water from sources that violate the Environmental Protection Agencys standards . According to a study, over 80,000 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act were reported in 2015, which means over 77 million Americans drank contaminated drinking water!
While professional testing is the most accurate way to determine our drinking water, there are a few ways to screen for contaminants using only our senses.
Your Water Looks Cloudy
Cloudy or foggy water is often left untreated. Most of the time, murky water becomes clear once you boil it. Still, any cloudiness means contamination, and you should have it treated right away.
Most of the time, cloudy water occurs when particles mix into your water supply from dirt, sand and rocks in the earth. They may not immediately harm your health but should still be taken care of with a sediment filter.
In rare cases, water can become cloudy when methane gas enters it. This phenomenon only happens if your water comes from a well located near oil or gas wells. You should get this issue resolved quickly because, even in water, methane gas is flammable.
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Invest In A Water Filter For Your Dog
Filtering tap water ensures that you dont have to rely on your water supplier or bottled water companies to meet regulations.
This way you can rest assured that your drinking water is safe. Make sure that you chose an independently tested water filter that removes the contaminants of particular concern.
There are both faucet and under-the-sink filters that comply with these standards. Though they are a little costlier, theyll be a healthy option for both you and your pet in the long run.
US: Check out the new Flo Faucet filter.
Europe: Check out EcoPro by TAPP Water on this website for clean tasty tap water for dogs and humans
What Dogs Are At Risk For Water Intoxication
As the competitive sport of agility grows in popularity, handlers are discovering that some dogs are at greater risk for water intoxication. Cross-training in swimming pools to help improve conditioning and endurance puts dogs at risk for ingesting too much water, too fast. And the high-energy, high-drive dogs that excel at agility such as Russell Terriers and Papillons often have lower fat reserves and higher pain thresholds, prompting them to push through discomfort even after theyve taken on too much water.
Ironically, breeds that were developed to spend a lot of time in the water, such as Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlands, tend not to be mentioned in discussions of water intoxication on social media and internet forums. This might be due to the fact that these dogs have been bred to move through the water creating as little surface disturbance as possible in order to best do their work. In short, generations of purposeful breeding has yielded dogs who naturally keep their mouths shut whenever theyre in the wet stuff.
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You Feel Nauseous And May Experience Vomiting
The symptoms of overhydration look a lot like those of dehydration, according to Hew-Butler. When you drink too much water, your kidneys become unable to get rid of the excess liquid, and water starts to collect in the body. This can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, often including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. But if youre ever feeling stressed, this is why you need to drink water.
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How Is It Possible To Drink Too Much Water
Health authorities have educated us that drinking enough water is absolutely vital for our bodies to function properly. And it isunless you drink too much of it. Though most people look out for the signs of dehydration, experts say overhydration can be equally as dangerous.
Drinking too much water generally results in nothing worse than a frequent flier pass to the restroombut under certain circumstances, it can cause extreme illness and even death, says Austin DeRosa, MD, urologist with UCHealth Cancer Center in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and chair of robotic surgery at the University of Colorado Medicine. Hyponatremia, sometimes called water intoxication, causes abnormally low levels of sodium and other electrolytes in your bloodstream, which then can lead to serious health problems such as seizures, coma, and, in rare cases, is fatal, he explains.
Here, doctors share with The Healthy @Readers Digest how in severe cases, water intoxication can lead to serious health problems including seizures, coma, and, in rare cases, even death. The idea that you should only drink water and that you cant drink too much of it is one of the most common health myths I hear from my patients, says Jennifer Caudle, MD, board-certified family medicine physician and associate professor at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in New Jersey. This is a very dangerous myth because you absolutely can drink too much water, and it can have serious consequences.
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Wegmans Recalls Bottled Water That May Contain E Coli
Consenting adults are allowed to be stupid, said Bill Marler, a food safety attorney in Seattle. But we have to make sure we warn people who are vulnerable, like kids and the elderly, or cancer patients.
The natural water advocates selling their products online or to grocers in trend-friendly neighborhoods say their product is not only clean and pure, but carries beneficial bacteria.
Shocking but true All other filtered and even bottled spring waters are sterilized with UV light, ozone gas, and a sub micron filter, the Live Water website claims.
This is similar to how most juice and dairy products are pasteurized for shelf stability. Unfortunately this sterilization destroys beneficial sources of minerals and probiotics.
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Yes, it’s true, the EPA and CDC say. These treatments kill off potentially deadly germs and filter out poisonous minerals such as arsenic.
The micro biome of our gut produces about 95 percent of the serotonin and 50 percent of the dopamine in our brains, the site goes on, without attributing this. NBC News was unable to find any legitimate source to support such a claim, which is biologically dubious.
There could be countless other benificial microbes present, scientists just haven’t discovered yet. They are imperative for optimal physical and mental health. Without these probiotics we’re not able to fully assimilate all the nutrients in our food, it adds.
If Your Water Smells Like Bleach Be Wary Of Excess Chlorine
If your tap water smells like a swimming pool, it may contain too much chlorine. Can your tap water make you sick? Although it is common for public water treatment facilities to intentionally add traces of chlorine to the water supply to kill germs and pathogens, consuming excessive amounts of chlorine may cause health problems.
A strong bleach smell in your tap water could be a sign of an excess of chlorine in your local system. But even lower chlorine levels in drinking water can also expose people to giardia, a parasite that causes diarrhea, cramps, and nausea.
Another issue is when chlorine reacts with other organic compounds, it can produce a few harmful byproducts. One of these byproducts, a class of trihalomethanes , has been associated with kidney problems and increased cancer risk.
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Factor #: Bodyweight And Height
Are you surprised that height and bodyweight rank as factors that determines the amount of water you should drink? Dont be!
Now here is good news for you!
You can determine the amount of water to consume daily when you know how much you weight.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Ensure your weight is in pounds.
- The next step is to divide that figure by 2.2.
- Multiply the result by a specific number, which is decided based on your age. If you are less than 30 years, multiply by 40. Individuals between 30 to 55 years can multiply by 35. Those above 55 can multiply by 30 years of age.
- After multiplying, next is the divide the sum by 28.3.
- The result is the ounces of water to drink daily. You can divide the result by 8 to know the number of cups to drink, which is much easier to understand.
Problems With Tap Water For Dogs
Studies conducted to test the safety of water from various water treatments have raised doubts as to how safe our drinking water really is. Many contaminants have been found to be in our drinking water sources.
These include metals like lead and arsenic which compromise dogs immune system and microplastics with unknown health effects.
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You Feel Tired Or Fatigued
Your kidneys are responsible for filtering the water you drink through your body and making sure the fluid levels in your bloodstream stay balanced. When you drink too much water, your kidneys have to work even harder, creating a stressful reaction from your hormones that leaves your body stressed and fatigued. If youre constantly drinking water and find yourself struggling to get out of bed, it may be because youve added unneeded stress to your kidneys.
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Safe Vs Unsafe Drinks
Factory-sealed bottles and canned drinks are relatively safe to consume. When drinking from a can, clean off the top before bringing it to your mouth.
Carbonated drinks such as soda and sparkling water are the safest bottled drink option, since you can quickly tell if a bottle is factory-sealed by the gas escaping when you first open it. But be careful with some street vendors who may refill bottles with tap water and reseal it with glue. GrrrlTraveler.com recommends listening for the subtle click or pop plastic caps often make when theyre unscrewed for the first time.
Hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, and sealed pasteurized milk are further considered safe. Be careful with hot drinks when adding lemon or any other fruit, however. These fruits may have come into contact with contaminated water.
Avoid drinking milk that has been sitting at room temperature. When it comes to alcohol, steer clear of on the rocks drinks. Further limit your risk by avoiding tap water, fountain drinks, ice, and fresh juice in developing countries and regions where youre unsure of its safety.
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