Your very survival depends on an ample supply of water, but excessive water consumption can be too much of a good thing. When you drink too much water, you can develop a potentially life-threatening condition called hyponatremia. According to MedlinePlus, hyponatremia is a result of dangerously low sodium content in your bodily fluids. It is most common in athletes who consume large amounts of water while training or exercising, but can also be caused by conditions such as kidney disease and congestive heart failure.
Why Do We Need Water?
According to MedlinePlus, on average water makes up more than two-thirds of a person's body weight. Water is in every living cell and is found in high concentrations in many of your organs, including the brain. It is also the base of all the fluids in your body, including blood. Since water plays an important role in the body, you cannot live more than a few days without it.
How Much Water Do We Need?
The daily recommended intake for water is six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day, says MedlinePlus. However, if you exercise frequently or sweat heavily, you may need to consume more water to make up for fluid loses via perspiration. Water is also abundant in many foods, such as fruits and vegetables. When you drink juice or eat soup, you are also consuming water. Your body also makes water each day through a series of chemical and biological processes.
Excessive Water Consumption
When you drink excessive amounts of water--amounts exceeding the recommended daily intake--you can develop a potentially life-threatening condition called hyponatremia. The condition develops because the excessive water intake causes sodium levels to drop dangerously low. Sodium exists in bodily fluids that surround the body's cells. According to MedlinePlus, when sodium levels decrease, water moves into the nearby cells to create a balance. This causes cells to swell. Some body cells--in particular brain cells--cannot accommodate this swelling, which may lead to hyponatremia.
Symptoms and Causes
Primary symptoms of hyponatremia involve an altered mental state and changes to the neurological system. People often become confused and lethargic and can suffer hallucinations. They may begin to experience muscle spasms or tremors or have muscle weakness. Some people also develop headaches or experience nausea and vomiting. As the condition progresses, seizures can develop and the person can lose consciousness and go into a coma. Drinking vast amounts of water is just one cause of hyponatremia. It can also develop in people who use diuretics or have severe burns. Congestive heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver can also cause the condition.
Treatment
Once hyponatremia develops, medical care is necessary to return sodium levels to normal. In mild cases when sodium levels have not dropped dangerously low, doctors will monitor and limit water intake. According to the Penn State University Hershey Medical Center, for people with moderate or severe hyponatremia, it is often necessary to receive intravenous treatment to boost sodium levels in order to prevent neurological impairment and organ failure.
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