What is Water Intoxication
Water intoxication is a condition that can result when you drink water faster than your body can remove it. This can happen when you drink a lot of water very quickly over a short period of time.
Water intoxication can cause fluid buildup that affects the brain and lungs. Excess water can also cause the amount of salt in your blood to become too low (hyponatremia). This condition can range from mild to severe.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by drinking water faster than your body can remove it.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in people who:
- Drink water often during an endurance event that lasts more than four hours.
- Drink more than 17–34 oz (500–1,000 mL) of water or sports drinks per hour while exercising.
- Have a health condition that makes it hard for their body to get rid of excess water, such as sickle cell anemia.
- Have other health conditions that increase the risk for water intoxication, such as cystic fibrosis.
- Have been losing fluids, sodium, and nutrients through heavy sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Bloating.
- Gaining weight several hours after an endurance activity.
- Swelling.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Headache.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Loss of appetite.
- Cramps in the abdomen.
- Changed mental state, such as confusion or irritability.
- Convulsions.
- Unconsciousness or coma.
- Trouble breathing.
- Fluttering eyelids.
Symptoms can appear up to 24 hours after drinking too much water.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical exam. You may also have tests done, such as:
- Blood tests.
- Urine tests.
How is this treated?
Treatment for this condition includes:
- Limiting how much water and other fluids you drink.
- Taking oral sodium tablets.
- Drinking beverages that have a high sodium content.
- Receiving medicines through an IV tube to control your symptoms.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Limit how much water or other fluids you drink as told by your health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. This includes any sodium tablets.
How is this prevented?
- Drink only when you feel thirsty.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You continue to have symptoms of water intoxication after treatment.
Get help right away if:
- You faint.
- Your mood or your thought patterns change.
- You have a seizure.
