What is Water Intoxication?
Hyponatremia (water intoxication) happens when the sodium level in the blood is much too low. Sodium (an electrolyte) helps to balance the water in and around cells; drinking too much water (as when exercising or during sports) or a medical condition can cause the sodium level to become too low. The cells start to swell and the the body's water levels rise; this is the cause of many medical problems.
Chronic hypotremia generally has less severe symptoms; the sodium levels decrease gradually in a few days or weeks. Acute hyponatremia is much more dangerous; the rapid drop of sodium levels can result in coma and death. Younger women (before menopause) are most at risk of brain damage caused by hyponatremia.
The causes of hyponatremia include: medications and diuretics, cirrhosis, kidney diseases, congestive heart failure, hormone imbalance, drinking too much water, Addison's Disease, the drug Ecstasy, dehydration or diet.
Symptoms include: nausea, fatigue, headache, muscle spasms, disorientation, seizures, unconsciousness and coma.
Treatment is usually either to drink less or intravenous fluids, medications or hormone therapy are prescribed. Saline solutions are used, adjusting the amount of salt according to the symptoms and causes of hyponatremia. Continue reading below for Ted's treatment for Hyponatremia.
