The usefulness of copious drinking during a cold is not confirmed by data from the latest controlled medical research published in the February issue of the British Medical Journal.

Randomized studies have shown that increasing fluid intake does not bring any benefit or harm to patients suffering from upper respiratory tract diseases. However, with infections of the lower parts of the respiratory tract, an increase in fluid intake can bring some harm, according to the Internet publication for girls and women aged 14 to 35 Pannochka. Net The theoretical basis for increasing fluid intake in infections of the respiratory system is correction of increased fluid loss due to perspiration and fever, as well as the need for sputum liquefaction.

At the same time, it is known that in infections of the lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia), the production of antidiuretic hormone increases, which contributes to fluid retention and hypernatremia.

Thus, the excess water load can lead to hyponatremia and hyperhydration, which in severe cases causes deterioration of the patient's condition up to coma and convulsive syndrome. It should be noted that hyponatremia without dehydration is observed in almost half of children suffering from moderate and severe pneumonia.

Medicus. En.