Water intoxication: A potentially fatal condition

Water is essential to our health, but too much of it can be harmful.

Water intoxication: A potentially fatal condition
Water intoxication

Water intake, also known as hyponatremia, occurs when the amount of sodium in the body decreases due to excess water intake

What causes water intoxication?

Dehydration can occur when you drink too much water for a short period of time. This can cause a decrease in the amount of sodium in the blood, causing inflammation of the body cells. This inflammation can be especially dangerous in the brain, where it can lead to stroke, coma and even death.

Who is at risk for intoxication?

Athletes, marathon runners, and people who engage in other vigorous activities are at increased risk for intoxication. This is because they lose a lot of sodium through sweating and need to drink more water instead. People with certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or heart disease, are also at higher risk.

Signs of intoxication

Symptoms of hydrocephalus can vary depending on the severity of the disease. The first signs may be:

headache
nausea
Coughing up the cough
fatigue
confusion
Weakness of the muscles
In severe cases, the symptoms are:

The criticisms
Coma
death
How to prevent intoxication

The best way to prevent water intoxication is to drink enough water. A good rule of thumb is to drink about eight glasses of water a day. But if you are exercising or sweating a lot, you can drink more. If you’re worried about drinking water, talk to your doctor about the right amount of water for you.

If you think you are suffering from water intoxication, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.