what is potomania?

Potomania is a rare disease that can be life threatening. The word “potomania” comes from the Latin “potaré” which means “to drink”, recalled Michel Cymes in his column of June 9. Potomania is therefore the unhealthy need to drink. Water or any other liquid for that matter. It is a thirst disorder that can lead to absorbing 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15 liters of water or more per day!

If you’ve made a special effort, beyond 3 liters of water you start to stick out and are considered a potomaniac. We are talking here about “3 liters of water” in addition to the water intake that comes from food because food contains water. People have already absorbed more than 15 liters of water. So it’s madness and like all madness, it’s dangerous.

The causes of this rare disease are multiple

The causes of this disease are multiple. Some are biological, others psychological. In terms of biological causes, you have for example a diabetes who would not be diagnosed : sugar accumulates in the blood, the kidneys can no longer concentrate urine and it leads to polyuria. And the more you urinate, the thirstier you are.

Another possible cause: genetics. If you are devoid of the water regulating hormone, that can be an explanation. Just like the taking certain medications which produce a form of dry mouth. You never stop drinking.

There is also the psychological aspect. The range of possibilities is quite wide open. We find there schizophrenia, certain infantile neuroses or psychosis, more rarely anorexia nervosa. We are there in areas that require consultation.

A disease that can be life-threatening

Drinking more than necessary can first cause polyuria, i.e. you increase the volume of your urine, your kidneys are overheated.

Then you lower the salt level in the blood and this can lead to nausea, vomiting, headaches or even behavioral disturbances.

Finally, you expose yourself to neurological problems such as brain edema. Potomania is therefore a serious, potentially fatal disease.

Age is an aggravating factor

It is a rare disease, however, some people are more prone to potomania than others. Age is a factor. The risk, even if it is low, increases when you reach your sixties.

Another risk factor: taking ecstasy which, by the way, will cause you lots of other problems before you make a pot addict!