Seriously? Drinking Too Much Water Can Actually Kill You?

As I sit here pondering what to write about today, sipping on my fancy Stanley water bobble thing, the thought crosses my mind: can drinking too much water kill you?

I did what anyone else would, and I hit Google to find out.

I found the website Medical News Today and figured this would be a great spot to start my research. 

Here's what I Learned From Their Website

We all know the body relies on water to function correctly, but it turns out that excessive intake can lead to health issues.

The kidneys can only remove 0.8 to 1.0 liters of water per hour, potentially disrupting the body's electrolyte balance.

Water intoxication, or water poisoning

This occurs when excessive water intake dilutes sodium in the blood, causing cells, including brain cells, to swell dangerously.

Symptoms include confusion, nausea, and vomiting, with severe cases leading to cerebral edema, seizures, coma, or even death.

Water intoxication is rare but can occur during intense sports or training, where electrolyte losses aren't adequately compensated for.

Soldiers in training and individuals with certain mental health conditions are also at risk.

To avoid water intoxication, don't exceed the kidneys' capacity of about 0.8 to 1.0 liters per hour.

Symptoms can arise with as little as 3–4 liters of water in a short period.

In extreme cases, even a 9-year-old girl developed water intoxication after consuming 3.6 liters of water in 1–2 hours.

In summary, while the body needs water, excessive intake can have severe consequences, especially in specific circumstances, so staying within safe limits is crucial.