BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says nearly two billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water at home.
This number hit close to home when 180,000 residents of Jackson, Mississippi were left without safe drinking water for over a month.
On a local level, over the years, officials have relayed concerns about drinking water in Louisiana, as some sources of water may contain chemicals that are commonly used in the manufacturing of non-stick coatings and other applications. Click here for more information on that report.
But when it comes to water consumption, some who have access to water that is considered safe to drink still find that they feel ill after drinking it.
Health experts say there are several reasons why a person might feel bad after drinking water.
Am I drinking too much water?
One reason may be drinking too much water, which can lead to water poisoning.
According to WebMD, when there is too much water in the cells (including the brain cells) this can trigger them to swell, which causes pressure in the brain. This may lead to confusion, drowsiness, and headaches. In extreme cases, it can even lead to a seizure, coma or death.
The Mayo Clinic says this is a rare problem and adds that, “Athletes occasionally may drink too much water in an attempt to prevent dehydration during long or intense exercise.”
While there are no verified guidelines for how much water everyone should drink on a daily basis, a consult with a dietitian or personal physician may be helpful. And, WebMD suggests, “If you don’t know how much water you should drink daily, stick to the popular advice of eight glasses a day.”
What happens when I drink water on an empty stomach?
Some health experts say drinking water on an empty stomach can lead to nausea. This may happen because the body is low on energy and needs food.
In cases like this, they recommend drinking small sips of water while you eat and throughout the day instead of gulping down entire glasses all at once and without food.
In any case, if consumption of water continues to make you ill, it’s best to bring this to the attention of a physician so a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can be implemented.
