Each and every cell in your body relies on water to function correctly.
However, drinking too much water (yes, that’s a thing) can lead to water intoxication and serious health consequences.
The most common ways of drinking too much water accidentally is as a result of overhydrating during sporting events or intense training.
Water intoxication has a number of potential side effects, including confusion, disorientation, nausea, vomiting, and in rare cases, even swelling in the brain that can be fatal.
So what exactly is water intoxication?
Also known as water poisoning, water intoxication is a disruption of brain function caused by drinking too much water. This increases the amount of water in the blood, which dilutes electrolytes, especially sodium.
Sodium is important in maintaining the balance of fluids inside and outside of cells. When sodium levels drop due to excessive water consumption, fluids will start traveling from the outside to the inside of the cells, making them swell.
Brain cells aren’t immune to this effect, meaning water intoxication can be dangerous, and even life threatening.
Related: What Type of Water Should You Be Drinking?
Other dangers of drinking too much water
When a person consumes an excessive amount of water and cells in their brain start to swell, pressure in the skull intensifies. If this is happening to you, know the first few symptoms of water intoxication:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Severe cases of water intoxication can produce more serious symptoms, such as:
- Drowsiness
- Muscle weakness or cramping
- Increased blood pressure
- Double vision
- Confusion
- Inability to identify sensory information
- Difficulty breathing
Finally, in the most severe of cases, water intoxication can cause seizures, brain damage, a coma, and even death.
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