Water intoxication... drinking too much water can be dangerous!

(Published on 8 May 2007 in 'Women at Work' - W @ W - a supplement of the Daily Mirror, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

A recent newspaper report about a young 22 year old marathon runner, David Rogers dying as a result of drinking too much water had me absolutely stumped. For, every fitness instructor and dietician I have ever known or heard of, have claimed that one should drink as much water as possible. A die-hard Oprah Winfrey fan – I followed the instructions given during her boot camp – and religiously downed bottles and bottles of aqua. Then what was this about?

David Rogers collapsed at the end of the race and died due to water intoxication or hyponatraemia. This happens when there is more than necessary water in the body which results in low levels of vital minerals such as sodium. Medically, Hyponatraemia means a low concentration of sodium in the blood. This happens especially in the case of long distance runners who sweat extensively. Lost sweat which is composed of salt and water is replaced only by intake of water. This dilutes the level of sodium in the bloodstream.

Sweat contains between 2.25 - 3.4 grams of salt per litre. During a long race that takes place in hot climatic conditions, the rate of perspiration averages to about 1 litre per hour. This means longer the race – more the loss of salt. Without realising the consequences, the athlete replaces only the lost water resulting in the drop of percentage of salt in the body. This explains the importance of electrolytes and sports drinks to replenish salt in the body.

The symptoms of hyponatraemia can range from mild to severe and include nausea, muscle cramps, headaches, disorientation, slurred speech and confusion. In severe cases the sufferer experiences swelling of the brain, seizures or coma. In mild cases, the problem can be treated by eating salty foods and hydrating with sodium containing sports drinks. However, severe cases need immediate medical attention.

There are no clear cut instructions to be followed as a precaution. It is not really correct to recommend drinking less water to rebalance sodium and water intake as one might run the risk of dehydration and heat related injuries. Some experts recommend increasing salt intake. By ingesting more sodium, hydration with water is balanced and dilution of sodium does not occur.

This year’s London Marathon that took David Rogers life was the hottest in the event’s 27 year history. More than 600 runners failed to complete the race as a result of the unbearable heat. Hyponatraemia was found in as many as 13% of runners in a Boston Marathon. In January 2007 Jennifer Strange, a woman in California, died following a water-drinking contest sponsored by a local radio station. Jennifer, 28, had taken part in the contest to see how much water she could drink without going to the bathroom. Her family has since filed a civil lawsuit against the radio station

Do you and I need to worry? No. For us – eight to ten glasses of water a day is recommended. And unless you are out hiking in a desert or running a long marathon, you need not worry too much about dipping sodium levels. Keep hydrated and keep guzzling that aqua.

“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water” - Loran Eisely, The Immense Journey, 1957

Miss Know-All
miss.know.all@gmail.com