Water intoxication also called as ‘water poisoning’ occurs when the normal level of electrolyte crosses the safe limit as a manifestation of over hydration.  Though it is a rare case, but   consumption of excess water or drinking excess fluid can result in the severe case of water intoxication. It generally occurs when there is excess water in the body and lack of essential nutrients which keeps the body healthy. But, sometimes even healthy people can also suffer from water intoxication. Excess body water can also be the result of certain diseases or improper treatment.

Causes of water intoxication

• Low body mass (Infants)

Children of 9 months can easily consume a large amount of water due to the small size of the body. Due to low body mass excess water goes inside their body. Children up to one year can suffer from this problem.

• Endurance sports

Fast runners or athletes are susceptible to water intoxication. Consumption of excess water causes a sudden decrease in sodium level causing dilution hyponatremia. Runners who prefer sports drink than water are more susceptible to hyponatremia.  Results have been analyzed that most of the runners finish their race with hyponatremia. Medical personnel are appointed in racing ground to suspect for water intoxication when runners collapse or show signs of confusion.

• Over excretion and heat stress

Excess sweating may lead to water intoxication. In this case, water is consumed in excess to replace the lost fluid. The person working under excessive heat or intense humidity must take care of electrolyte balance. They should eat and drink in such a way so that electrolyte level should be balanced inside the body. Certain drugs also can cause heavy perspiration, resulting in the consumption of excess water and finally water intoxication. People simply resting in extreme heat may consume excess water resulting in water intoxication.

• Competitive eating training

Competitive eaters often drink excess water, in order to train themselves to stretch their stomach for increasing food intake capacity.

• Psychiatric condition

Psychogenic polydipsia is a condition in which patients feel so thirsty that they drink a large amount of water, causing water intoxication. It is greatly damaging; so caretaker should continuously check for this.

• Iatrogenic

When an unconscious person is being fed intravenously or through nasogastric tube, care should be taken to give an adequate amount of fluid, to balance the loss of fluid and electrolyte. If not given properly, hyponatremia or hypernatremia may occur.  In this case, there is a risk of excessive drinking of fluids by the patient through the tube ultimately causing water intoxication. Constantly patients should be examined so that excess water should not enter into the body. Patients with diabetes insipidus are more susceptible to suffer from water intoxication.

Symptoms of water intoxication

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Confusion or disorientation
• Muscle weakness, spasms or cramps
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness
• Coma

Signs of water intoxication

Outward signs of water intoxications include nausea  slurred speech, confusion and disorientation, tiredness, bloating and cramping in the muscles.  A common sign is the feeling of vomiting because there is excess water in the body.

How does water intoxication affect the body?

Water intoxication happens when the tissue expands due to excess water in the cells of our body.  When there is too much water outside the cell,  it pulls sodium from inside the cell to maintain a balanced concentration.  To regain the electrolyte balance called osmosis, the electrolytes inside the call move outside, along with water leading to swelling of the cells. Swelin can cause brain to smell making the person behave as if he or she has drunk too much alcohol.

Confusion, drowsiness, change in behavior, irritability, personality change, and headache are exhibited. Sometimes the brain cells swell so much that the blood flow gets interrupted leading to cerebral edema. Swollen brain cells may cause pressure to the brainstem causing central nervous system dysfunction. Both edema and central nervous system dysfunction are a dangerous condition and should be properly checked.

Diagnosis

If a person suffering from water intoxication, she or he should be immediately taken to the doctor. The doctor checks through medical history, conducts physical examination, and blood and urine test to confirm for the disease.

Prevention

It can be prevented if a person’s intake of water doesn’t exceed much of its loss. Controlled water or fluid intake is the greatest prevention of this ailment. A healthy kidney is able to excrete out 0.8 l to 1l of water every hour. However physical stress and diseases can reduce this amount to a great extent.

Water Intoxication Treatment           

Treatment of water intoxication directly depends on the severity of symptoms and its underlying causes.

• Fluid or salt should not be taken in excess but should be taken in adequate amount.
• Diuretics should be taken to increase the amount of urine, and at intervals urination should take place so, that the body should get rid of excess water. Coffee is a common diuretic substance.
• Medication should be taken to reduce symptoms such as nausea, seizures, and headaches.
• Treatment of underlying medical conditions should be conducted.