Recently, an Indiana-based mom of three died after consuming too much water. Her brother — who is spreading awareness about the issue — told Inside Edition that she drank four 16-ounce bottles of water in about 20 minutes and began feeling sick and dizzy. Shortly after that, she passed out and never regained consciousness.
So, to get more information about water intoxication and how to prevent it, BuzzFeed spoke to board certified emergency physician Joe Whittington, MD, who has been practicing for 16 years.
"Drinking too much water can lead to a severe electrolyte imbalance, particularly low levels of sodium, known as hyponatremia. Sodium is vital for cellular function, and its imbalance can result in symptoms ranging from nausea and headache to seizures, coma, and even death," he explained.
Water intoxication is rare but not unheard of, according to Dr. Joe. "It's more commonly seen in scenarios like endurance sports, fraternity hazing, or 'water drinking contests.'" In fact, in 2007, a 28-year-old woman named Jennifer Strange died during a water-drinking contest at a radio station in Sacramento, California.
And several people online are sharing their own personal close calls with water intoxication:
Dr. Joe said that it's not just the amount of water consumed but the rate at which it's consumed that matters. "Our kidneys have a maximum excretion capacity; exceeding this can lead to water intoxication, even if the total amount of water consumed over a day doesn't seem excessive."
And a person could know if they might be experiencing water intoxication if they develop symptoms of nausea, vomiting, headaches, and confusion after consumption. Dr. Joe says these symptoms can increase to seizures, lethargy, fainting, and death if you do not seek medical attention right away. That being said, symptoms of water intoxication are not the same for everyone and can vary by individual.
So, how do you know what amount of water is safe to consume? Dr. Joe said that body weight can play a role, but it mainly depends on kidney function. "Generally speaking, a larger individual may be able to tolerate a larger volume of water than a smaller one. However, the rate at which the kidneys can filter out excess water remains fairly constant across different body sizes — around 0.8 to 1.0 liters per hour. So, consuming about 1.5 liters in under an hour is a risky threshold for adults."
He added that individual factors such as age, activity level, climate, and overall health play a significant role in how much water you need and how susceptible you might be to conditions like water intoxication or dehydration.
"While guidelines provide a general framework, they aren't universally applicable to every individual in every situation. For example, athletes who are involved in high-endurance activities might need to pay closer attention to their hydration and electrolyte levels, just as older adults or individuals taking certain medications might need to be more cautious with water intake."