Water intoxication
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Water Intoxication Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Water intoxication On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Water intoxication |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Water intoxication (also known as hyperhydration or water poisoning) is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by a very rapid intake of water.[1] Normal, healthy (both physically and nutritionally) individuals have little to worry about accidentally overconsuming water. Nearly all deaths related to water intoxication in normal individuals have resulted either from water drinking contests, in which individuals attempt to consume several gallons over the course of just a few minutes, or long bouts of intensive exercise during which time electrolytes are not properly replenished, yet massive amounts of fluid are still consumed.
Treatment
Mild intoxication may remain asymptomatic and require only fluid restriction. In more severe cases, treatment consists of:
- Diuretics to increase urination, which are most effective for excess blood volume
- Saline given intravenously to restore sodium electrolyte levels
- Vasopressin receptor antagonists
Prevention
Water intoxication can be prevented if a person's intake of water and electrolytes closely matches his or her losses. The body's regulatory mechanisms provide a very generous margin of safety if the two are imbalanced, but some extreme activities (such as heavy, prolonged physical exertion), as well as disease states, can overwhelm or impair these mechanisms. Avoid situations that provoke extreme or prolonged perspiration. Drinking fluids that are specially balanced to replace lost electrolytes can also help to prevent intoxication. Eating regularly can provide needed electrolytes if only normal water is available for rehydration.
Sports drinks are popular among athletes because they provide the necessary electrolytes to support extended exercise. They help keep the body balanced and carrying the right amount of fluids. However, not all drinks advertised as sports drinks are suitable for this purpose, and professional advice should be sought for potentially risky situations such as those described above.
Note that a person's innate sense of thirst is more sensitive to overall dehydration than to changes in electrolytes. Thus, it is possible to develop water intoxication while trying to satisfy thirst, if one drinks a great deal of water over a short period. A dangerous drop in electrolytes, such as the hyponatremia that leads to water intoxication, will not have any effect on thirst if one is sufficiently dehydrated.
For people suffering from dehydration due to the heavy perspiration associated with heavy exertion or heat stress, drinking water to rehydrate is much more important than avoiding water intoxication, since the former is extremely common and the latter is rare. One should never avoid drinking water under such conditions; instead, other steps should be taken to ensure that electrolytes are replaced as well, as noted above.
Notable cases
- On January 12, 2007, Jennifer Strange, a 28-year-old woman and a mother of 3, from Rancho Cordova, California, was found dead in her home by her mother hours after trying to win one of Nintendo's Wii game consoles in KDND 107.9 "The End" radio station's "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest, which involved drinking large quantities of water without urinating. However, no criminal charges were pressed.[2] The Federal Communications Commission has launched its own investigation to determine if the station violated the terms of its operating license.
- Leah Betts[3] died on the 16th of November 1995 after taking an ecstasy tablet at her 18th birthday party and subsequently drinking too much water; the case received mass media coverage throughout the United Kingdom.
- In a much-publicized case of fraternity hazing, four members of the Chi Tau (formerly Delta Sigma Phi) House at California State University, Chico pleaded guilty to forcing 21-year-old student Matthew Carrington to drink excessive amounts of water while performing calisthenics in a frigid basement as part of initiation rites on February 2, 2005.[4] He collapsed and died of heart failure due to water intoxication.
- On September 12, 1999, US Air Force basic trainee Michael J. Schindler died of heat stroke, severely complicated by water intoxication, two days after becoming seriously ill during a 5.8 mile march. The Air Force changed its recruit training procedures as a result.[5]
- New Zealand race-walker Craig Barrett collapsed during the last kilometer of the 50 km walk in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in a non-fatal case of water intoxication.
- Other notable fatalities due to water intoxication include Andy Warhol, Anna Wood, [6] 2002 Boston Marathon competitor Cynthia Lucero,[7] and Washington, D.C. police officer James McBride.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ Bird, Patrick J. (2000). "You Can Drink Too Much Water". University of Florida. Retrieved 2007-01-21.
- ↑ "Woman dies after water-drinking contest". MSNBC. January 13 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-10. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "Hyponatremia ("Water Intoxication")". The DEA.org. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
- ↑ Lore, Mark (2005-02-10). "Another death in the family". Chico news & review. Retrieved 2007-05-10. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ Grier, Peter (January, 2000). "Airman's Death Brings Training Changes". Aerospace World. Air Force Magazine Online. Retrieved 2007-01-20. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "Reasons for dispensing with the holding of an inquest". Retrieved 2007-05-10.
- ↑ "Doctors: Marathoner Died From Too Much Water". August 13 2002. Retrieved 2007-05-10. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "District Officer Dies After Bike Ride: Over-Hydration Cited as Factor". Washington Post. August 11 2005. Retrieved 2007-05-10. Check date values in:
|date=(help)
ca:Hiperhidratació de:Hyperhydration he:הרעלת מים nl:Waterintoxicatie