Drinking Too Much Water Can Kill You! How to Prevent Hyponatremia

A new study shows that drinking too much water can be fatal and can cause exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH).

EAH is a condition where the body's sodium is too low resulting from overconsumption of water, sports drinks or other fluids.

At least 14 deaths from athletes such as marathon runners and football players have been found to have been caused by EAH, according to researchers from Loyola University Health System. The findings were published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine.

"The risks associated with dehydration are small," said Dr. James Winger, sports medicine physician at Loyola University Medical Center via a press release.

"No one has died on sports fields from dehydration, and the adverse effects of mild dehydration are questionable. But athletes, on rare occasions, have died from overhydration."

Dr. Tamara Hew-Butler, associate professor of exercise science at Oakland University, added that hyponatremia is rare but avoidable.

EAH has occurred during sports competitions including marathons, triathlons, canoe races, swimming, hiking, calisthenics, football, yoga, and even lawn bowling, the researchers said via Eureka Alert.

EAH, also known as "water intoxication", occurs when the body has dangerously low sodium levels caused by excessive and sustained drinking of water, sports drinks, or other fluids. Symptoms may include vomiting, confusion, or headache caused by the swelling of the brain (cerebral edema), according to Medical Xpress.

When not given proper and swift treatment, it can result to death.

Dr. Hew-Butler also recommends to only drink when thirsty. The current guidelines on keeping oneself hydrated by drinking 8 oz. of fluids every 20 minutes is "unnecessary and can be life-threatening."

"We can consciously control the amount of fluid that enters our body and must reconsider, re-educate and reinforce appropriate fluid intake and intravenous fluid guidelines," she said in a press release from the University.

Athletes are also encouraged to drink more fluids to prevent fatigue, muscle cramps or heat stroke.

"Using the innate thirst mechanism to guide fluid consumption is a strategy that should limit drinking in excess and developing hyponatremia while providing sufficient fluid to prevent excessive dehydration," researchers wrote in their findings.