Hyponatremia (low sodium)
Does It Make Sense to Order Your Own Laboratory …
At one time, only physicians could order laboratory tests such as thyroid-stimulating hormone or cholesterol. Now, however, many companies offer lab tests direct to consumers using the internet. Does …
Will Cutting Salt Conscientiously Land You in th…
The American Heart Association has advice for people who want to keep their hearts healthy. It recommends exercising regularly, quitting smoking, eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, skipping junk …
Should You Force Yourself to Drink Ten Glasses o…
People have been arguing for decades about how much water you should drink every day. It seems like a simple question, but the answer is complicated. Many people believe that everyone needs to drink e…
Did Hydrochlorothiazide Lead to Dangerously Low …
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HCT) is a diuretic (water pill) that is widely prescribed to lower blood pressure. Roughly 50 million prescriptions are written for "thiazide" diuretics annually. That does …
What Happens If You Drink Too Much Water?
Many people believe that drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day is essential for good health. But do you really need that much? What happens if you drink too much water? Can You Drink Too Much …
How to Stay Hydrated in Hot Weather
Hot weather means perspiration, because that is how the body cools itself. Evaporation of sweat from the skin results in heat loss-a good thing when the thermometer is over 90. But do you need advice …
What Is the Downside of a Low-Sodium Diet?
When it comes to a healthful diet, we are constantly exhorted to eat less overall, avoid sugary beverages, shun fat (especially sat fat) and stick to a low-sodium diet. Perhaps the simplest way to …
Dehydration Can Be Deadly If Not Corrected Promp…
Dehydration is a serious health problem that can become much worse at this time of year. That's because hot humid weather and intense exertion can team up to deplete our bodies of both fluids and mine…
Could Cutting Salt Harm Your Health?
Many physicians take the position that you can't have too low a golf score or sodium intake. They assume that most people use the salt shaker too liberally or eat too much prepared food high in sodium…
The Danger of Drinking Too Much Water
Elite athletes are well aware of the dangers of dehydration. That's why they drink a lot of water and other fluids when exercising intensely for long periods of time. They are rarely warned about the …
Dropping Salt Intake Too Low Caused Patient Prob…
Q. I cut my salt intake many years ago, just for good health. Now I have low sodium in my blood and suffer from low blood pressure and fainting spells. When I needed surgery, the surgeon was concerned…
Dangers of Too Much Water and Too Little Salt
Q. I was rushed to the emergency department a few weeks ago because of low sodium. I have always been careful to eat a healthy diet low in salt. I've also made it a habit to drink a lot of water to st…
Long-Distance Runners Who Drink Too Much Water
Long-distance runners often worry about dehydration. But a survey of marathon runners suggests that some should be concerned instead about drinking too much fluid. Drinking water on a schedule instead…
Overdosing On Water Can Be Dangerous
Q. I drink at least eight large glasses of water every day to maintain good health. When I play soccer or tennis I force myself to drink a lot more. I recently heard that you can drink too much water.…