Too much of a good is also poisonous!
Water intoxication or poisoning is a life-threatening condition caused by excessive amounts of water (2L per hr for several successive hours or more than 10L per day) or other beverages that contain little or no sodium (salt) such as tea, fruit juices, soft drinks and beer that results in a drop of blood sodium levels.
HOW DOES WATER INTOXICATION HAPPEN?
Water intoxication mostly occurs when water is consumed in a large quantities without accompanying salt intake.
Intake of large amounts of water dilutes the blood salt content. In order for the cells to regain the electrolyte balance, water outside the cells rush into the cells via osmosis resulting in swelling of tissues. Brain swelling causes the brain to get compressed within the tight skull and is the main cause of symptoms of water intoxication.
WHO ARE AT RISK FOR WATER INTOXICATION?
Long-distance runners and bikers who sweat and thereby lose large amounts of water and salt over a short period, and who, in the hope of fluid replacement drink large amounts of water within a short time. This is compounded by secretion of stress hormone (after prolonged physical exertion) that greatly reduces the amount of urine while increasing water retention.
Infants under six months of age as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been over diluted.
Persons participating in water-drinking contests, in which individuals attempt to consume large amounts of water.
People with some mental disorders such as schizophrenia with compulsive water drinking.
Forced water intoxication as a form of torture or method of punishment for children often leads to brain damage and death.
Gastric lavage with large amounts of plain water may result in water absorption and low blood sodium concentration.
WHAT ARE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF WATER POISONING?
The initial symptoms are nonspecific and includes: Headache, nausea and vomiting, restlessness, dizziness, muscle weakness, unstable gait and psychosis with inappropriate behaviour delusion and hallucinations.
The severity of water intoxication depends on rate at which blood sodium reduces. The faster the sodium drop, the more severe the symptoms.
The following symptoms may develop from several hours to few days after the the initial symptoms: Muscle cramps, tremor, swelling of the hands and feet, or abdomen ( especially in alcoholics),confusion, altered mentation (psychosis), coughing up blood (due to lung edema), seizures, coma and death 1-2 days later.
