Can You Really Drink Too Much Water?
By: Stephanie Jackson, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 18, 2007
Though an unusual circumstance, Water Intoxication is something closely watched for, in those who run marathons and babies.
But in this case, it was a mother of three, who died from it, while trying to win a video game console for her children.
Jennifer Strange and several other people competed in a Sacramento, CA radio station's contest, "Hold your Wee for WII," in which they were tasked to drink as much water as they could without going to the bathroom.
Strange drank about 2 gallons of water, and was found dead in her home later the same day. An autopsy report shows she died of Water Intoxication.
Dr. Charles Smith, Medical Director at UAMS, says too much water causes an imbalance in the body, by dilluting the blood stream. That water then spreads to the body's tissue, including the brain.
"Water, in a sense starts to leak into the brain and the brain starts to swell. And when the brain starts to swell, really really bad things start to happen... headaches, visual disturbances, loss of consciousness... seizures and it can cause death," Dr. Smith says.
Dr. Smith also says it's not just how much water you drink, but how much time passes when you do. Sipping water throughout the day gives your body time to get rid of it; unlike drinking large amounts over a short time.
But in this case, it was a mother of three, who died from it, while trying to win a video game console for her children.
Jennifer Strange and several other people competed in a Sacramento, CA radio station's contest, "Hold your Wee for WII," in which they were tasked to drink as much water as they could without going to the bathroom.
Strange drank about 2 gallons of water, and was found dead in her home later the same day. An autopsy report shows she died of Water Intoxication.
Dr. Charles Smith, Medical Director at UAMS, says too much water causes an imbalance in the body, by dilluting the blood stream. That water then spreads to the body's tissue, including the brain.
"Water, in a sense starts to leak into the brain and the brain starts to swell. And when the brain starts to swell, really really bad things start to happen... headaches, visual disturbances, loss of consciousness... seizures and it can cause death," Dr. Smith says.
Dr. Smith also says it's not just how much water you drink, but how much time passes when you do. Sipping water throughout the day gives your body time to get rid of it; unlike drinking large amounts over a short time.
