On rare occasions, severe fluid overload, or water intoxication, can even be fatal.
Too much water dilutes the amount ofsodiumin the blood needed for the body to function normally.
Low sodium levels, known ashyponatremia, can affect many organ systems, most predominately thecentral nervous system.
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What Is Water Intoxication?
Electrolytes are minerals in your body that have an electric charge and affect how your body functions.
Sodium is one of the most important electrolytes.
Depending on your levels, you may develop:
How Much Water Leads to Water Poisoning?
In healthy adults, the kidneys can excrete about a liter of water per hour.
There is no set level at which a person might experience water intoxication.
This can vary by a person’s body size, weight, physical status, and underlying medical conditions.
Dizziness and Other Symptoms of Water Intoxication
Water intoxication often causes no symptoms.
It is only when hyponatremia is severe that a person might experience notable and sometimes serious symptoms.
Also, it is important to reverse hyponatremia slowly, as overcorrecting can lead to neurological problems.
On the other hand, you might also have high-volume hyponatremia.
Weight Loss
People will sometimes drink excessive amounts of water to lose weight.
As a general rule, thirst is a reliable indicator of the bodys water needs.
However, when there is extreme physical exertion, thirst maynotbe the best guide.
Hyponatremia is common among marathon and triathlon participants due to excessive water intake and extreme sodium loss through sweating.
Uncontrolledhigh blood sugaralso contributes to frequent urination which can rid the body of electrolytes.
If your water intake exceeds the excretion of sodium and other electrolytes, hyponatremia can occur.
By bringing your blood sugar under control, you’ll be less likely to experience excessive thirst and urination.
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