Water intoxication

Water intoxication, also known as water poisoning, hyperhydration, overhydration, or water toxemia, is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that can result when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside safe limits by excessive water intake. In normal circumstances, accidentally consuming too much water is exceptionally rare. Most deaths related to water intoxication in healthy individuals have resulted either from water-drinking contests, in which individuals attempt to consume large amounts of water, or from long bouts of exercise during which excessive amounts of fluid were consumed. In addition, water cure, a method of torture in which the victim is forced to consume excessive amounts of water, can cause water intoxication. Excess body water can also result from medical conditions or improper treatments, such as those causing hyponatremia. Although water is considered one of the least toxic chemical compounds, with an LD50 exceeding 90,000 mg/kg (90 g/kg) body weight in rats, it can be considered a poison when over-consumed in a brief period; drinking six liters in three hours has caused the death of a human.