Drinking Too Much Water

Can Kill You?

Harita Patel
Rachel Martin
 Hyponatremia
• This is the condition in which the
concentration of sodium ion in the blood is
lower than it should normally be.
• In many cases this illness can be very
dangerous, and highly deadly.
• Normal sodium levels are between 135 to 145
mM. Below 120 mM is very dangerous.
 Hold Your Wee for a Wii
• 28 year old mother of 3, Jennifer Strange
participated in a radio contest called “Hold
Your Wee for a Wii” in California
• Participants competed to see who could drink
the most water without going to the bathroom
• On the way home from the contest Jennifer
was complaining about a sharp headache
 Hyponatremia

May also be considered as over

hydration, water poisoning and
hyper-hydration
 Hold Your Wee for a Wii
• She died later that night from drinking too
much water (water intoxication)
• Aftermath of her death: 10 employees of the
radio station were fired and her family was
awarded $16,500,000
 Why did this happen?
• When the amount of sodium in the blood is too
low, the brain tissue begins to swell
• The swelling in your brain is especially
dangerous because the brain is confined by
your skull and unable to expand.
• The Osmolality blood test can help determine
if anyone has this illness.
 Symptoms
• Nausea •Diarrhea
• Seizures •Sweating
• Appetite Loss •Heart Failure
• Headache •Confusion
•Cramps
•Restlessness •Hallucinations
How do you prevent water intoxication?

• Get plenty of electrolytes and sodium when

about to do a strenuous activity (e.g. enter a
marathon) that will require a lot of water.
– Pretzels are a good choice because they are high in
sodium
• Drink sports drinks such as Gatorade or
Powerade in place of water
 More Tips
• Every 15 to 20 minutes, drink between 5 and 8
ounces of sports drink

** Young, healthy individuals need a lot of salt,

but those with high blood pressure should be
wary of consuming salt
in excess
 Affects Towards Body
• Normally Hyponatremia affects women more
than men because of their different body
composition and the patterns of their
metabolism.
• Hyponatremia is also more common in the
elderly and patients who are already
hospitalized.
1. What is the name of the condition in which
the concentration of sodium ion in the blood is
too low?

A. Anemia

B. Lukemia

C. Hyponatremia

D. Hypervolemia
2. What is the range of the normal sodium
level?

A. 95 to 105mM

B.135 to 145mM

C. 140 to 150mM

D.100 to 120mM
3. Which of the following is not a symptom of
Hyponatremia?

A. Palpitations

B. Headaches  

C. Hallucinations

D. Nausea
4. Hyponatremia affects women more than
men because of their different body
composition and patterns of metabolism.

A. True

B. False
5. Which of the following should you drink if
you have Hyponatremia?

A. Alcohol 

B. Gatorade

C. Coffee

D. Soda
6. Which of the following is best to prevent
Hyponatremia? 

A. Switch to a saltier diet in anticipation of High

Endurance activity, whether it’s running a
marathon or a long road march.
B. B. Favor sport drinks over water and drink 5 to
8 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes.
C. C. Replace the fluid you’re losing while you
exercise such as Gatorade/PowerAde.
D. All of the above.
7. Which of the following isn’t another name
for Hyponatremia?

A. Over hydration

B. Water Poisoning 

C. Dehydration 

D. Hyper- Hydration
8. Who should avoid sodium intake despite its
preventative water intoxication?

A Parkinson’s disease 

B Low Blood Sugar 

C Diabetes 

D High Blood Pressure

9. What was the contest called where the women
died from drinking too much water?

A. X to toilets for an XBOX

B. Hold Your Wee for a Wii

C. Don’t Pee for a Playstation

D. Never let your bladder pour and win a

Nintendo 64
Osmolality helps determine whether or not
you have hyponatremia.

A. True

B. False
The End
Have a fantastic day!
Answer Key: CBAABDCDBA