Is it Possible to Drink Too Much Water?
It is possible but uncommon for people to drink so much water that it causes dangerous physical symptoms. The conditions called water intoxication and hyponatremia (electrolyte dilution) can cause symptoms ranging from minor muscle cramps to seizures, and in very rare cases, death.
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Significance
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Drinking too much water can be very dangerous, but it's very rare for people to drink enough water to cause serious problems. The condition is called water intoxication, with a corresponding condition called hyponatremia, or electrolyte dilution. The only situations where physicians typically encounter water intoxication and hyponatremia are in athletes (usually marathon runners), babies under six months of age, and people participating in water-drinking games or contests.
Nearly all the recorded deaths involve contests where people attempt to drink two or three gallons of water in less than an hour, or people strenuously exercising for long periods of time and drinking large amounts of water without replacing electrolytes.
Effects
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If a person drinks a lot more water than needed in a short amount of time, it can increase total blood volume, putting an extra strain on the heart and blood vessels. In addition, kidneys must work harder to filter all the excess water out and may not be able to keep up. As the circulatory system is diluted with the extra water, the electrolyte levels drop, and water seeps into cells from the blood, which causes the cells to expand. This swelling can occur in a person's brain, resulting in symptoms from a headache to seizures to inability to breathe. In rare cases, it even can cause death.
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Identification
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Early warning signs include muscle cramps, nausea, and confusion. The person may become disoriented and have slurred speech. The reason so many cases of hyponatremia are seen at marathons is because inexperienced athletes do not prepare properly for the potential problems, and they also typically drink more water at early signs of symptoms, because they assume they are becoming dehydrated. This only aggravates the problem.
Prevention/Solution
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In athletic situations, the athletes sweat heavily and lose not only fluid but salts. The person should always plan ahead and estimate fluid loss and the necessary electrolyte replacement, and stay on a hydration and sodium replacement schedule during the event. If symptoms occur, the athlete should drink a sports drink containing electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, or eat some type of salty food.
Some workplaces with excessively hot environments provide salt tablets for employees because workers are inclined to drink too much water in short amounts of time.
If someone begins to have acute water intoxication symptoms, medical assistance must be provided. Typically a diuretic or a saline solution will counter the condition.
Considerations
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Water intoxication is most common in babies under six months old, because of their low body mass. Babies can develop the condition from drinking large amounts of diluted formula or several bottles of water a day.
The next most common incidence is seen in marathon runners. A 2005 study showed that 13 percent of Boston Marathon participants developed hyponatremia at some point during the race.
The most dangerous situations involve water-drinking contests and games. In 2007, a 28-year-old California woman died after participating in a contest held by a radio station. In 2005, during a California university fraternity hazing, a 21-year-old man died after drinking excessive amounts of water between doing push-ups.
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