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What Causes Numbness In Ears And Legs After Consuming Large Amount Of Water?

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Posted on Mon, 1 Dec 2014
Question: I had to drink 32 ounces of water as prep for bladder ultrasound. When I got out of my car and started to walk to appt., my legs went numb and my ears started throbbing/pulsating in and out. It lasted about 30mins and then started to recede. This happens every time I have to do this, why?
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Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Drinking 32 oz water can cause low sodium.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Drinking 32 ounces of water at a time can feel uncomfortable and taking that amount of water is not exactly required for a bladder ultrasound. The bladder can be evaluated when filled with 15 - 16 ounces of urine and this can apply to you too. In my patients, bladder can be well evaluated even with 15 - 20 ounces of urine volume.

When you drink 32 ounces water at a time, the kidneys cannot flush out all the water at one go and some of the water enters the cells through out the body and might cause sodium levels in the cells to drop down for a shot while. The symptoms of low sodium includes confusion, tiredness, headache, muscle spasms, muscle weakness or numbness, nausea or vomiting.

If the above symptoms appear only when you have taken 32 ounces water as before going for ultrasound appointment and not in any other situation, then please make yourself comfortable by limiting water intake to 15 - 20 ounces the next time.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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What Causes Numbness In Ears And Legs After Consuming Large Amount Of Water?

Brief Answer: Drinking 32 oz water can cause low sodium. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. Drinking 32 ounces of water at a time can feel uncomfortable and taking that amount of water is not exactly required for a bladder ultrasound. The bladder can be evaluated when filled with 15 - 16 ounces of urine and this can apply to you too. In my patients, bladder can be well evaluated even with 15 - 20 ounces of urine volume. When you drink 32 ounces water at a time, the kidneys cannot flush out all the water at one go and some of the water enters the cells through out the body and might cause sodium levels in the cells to drop down for a shot while. The symptoms of low sodium includes confusion, tiredness, headache, muscle spasms, muscle weakness or numbness, nausea or vomiting. If the above symptoms appear only when you have taken 32 ounces water as before going for ultrasound appointment and not in any other situation, then please make yourself comfortable by limiting water intake to 15 - 20 ounces the next time. Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek