Can drinking too much water cause death? Discover the reason behind it!

In a warning shedding light on an unknown danger to many, Dr. Gamal Shaaban, the former dean of the National Heart Institute in Egypt, revealed the phenomenon of "water intoxication" that could be devastating to human health. As most parts of the world are experiencing severe heatwaves, Dr. Shaaban cautioned that excessive water intake could harm the kidneys and threaten life. Shaaban explained that the body only needs about 3 liters of water daily to maintain balance, and any increase beyond this amount could lead to serious health problems, such as water intoxication. When a person consumes large amounts of water in a short period, the kidneys cannot process it completely, leading to disruptions in blood salt levels, specifically sodium deficiency, which can cause brain dysfunction and, in severe cases, death. Dr. Gamal Shaaban stated on Facebook, "If a person drinks a large amount of water quickly, the kidneys cannot eliminate it fast enough. The kidneys can only eliminate 800 milliliters per hour, so if a person drinks more than that, the blood starts diluting its salts, leading to hyponatremia, a condition that can harm the brain, cause consciousness disorders, and possibly death in severe cases." The warning doesn't stop there; Shaaban also provides advice to avoid these risks: "Prevention lies in drinking water in a balanced manner throughout the day, not all at once, and slowly." Experts emphasize that these risks are not just theoretical warnings. In a tragic incident, American woman Ashley Summers died in August 2023 after consuming large amounts of water quickly, resulting in acute water intoxication. Ashley began feeling dizzy and having headaches while on vacation at Freeman Lake in Indiana, and after drinking 4 bottles of water in just 20 minutes, she returned home unconscious. Despite doctors' efforts to save her, she passed away due to severe brain swelling from water intoxication. Therefore, in extreme heat, each of us needs to be more aware of the dangers of excessive water intake. While studies warn of severe water intoxication, Dr. Gamal Shaaban suggests treating this condition by immediately stopping water intake, using diuretics, and replacing sodium through tablets or special solutions.