Water Intoxication: Symptoms, Causes & Risks

Drinking excessive amounts of water can lead to a condition called water intoxication. In addition, drinking too much water leads to a condition called hyponatremia, in which the sodium levels in the blood become dangerously low. This condition can cause many of the symptoms that you’ve described, such as feeling lightheaded, nauseous, and having headaches. In severe cases, water intoxication can lead to cerebral edema. This is a life-threatening condition in which the brain becomes swollen due to the influx of water. Symptoms include confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness.