From controlling body temperature and flushing out toxins, adequate hydration plays a vital role in our general health and well-being, water is a life essential. However, while dehydration garners significant attention, overhydration, or drinking excessive amounts of water, is a condition that can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.

Although it may sound bizarre since drinking water is said to be the solution for most health related problems it is important to recognize how much water is considered "too much" or the risks involved with being overhydrated can maintain a healthy balance.

What Is Water Intoxication?

Water intoxication, also termed hyperhydration, water poisoning or water toxemia, develops when an individual drinks much more water than the kidney can excrete. The main function of the kidneys in the human body is the processing and excretion of excess water. However, the human kidneys can process only up to 0.8 to 1.0 liters of water at a time. Drinking an amount that exceeds this may overwhelm the kidneys and put the electrolyte balance out of sync in the human body.

Electrolytes, especially sodium, are essential in maintaining fluid balance within and outside cells. Hyponatremia is the condition when sodium levels fall below 135 mmol/L, resulting from excessive water intake. This causes water to shift into cells, swelling them. In the brain, this can cause severe complications, including coma or even death.

Symptoms of Water Intoxication

The symptoms of water intoxication vary from mild to severe. Early symptoms are often similar to dehydration, which makes self-diagnosis challenging. Common symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle cramps or weakness
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Confusion and disorientation

In more serious cases, water intoxication can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, or swelling in the brain. These complications can be fatal if left untreated.

A notable case occurred in 2007 when a woman participating in a water-drinking contest tragically died after consuming nearly two gallons of water in under two hours. More recently, actress Brooke Shields experienced a grand mal seizure attributed to excessive water consumption.

Causes of Water Intoxication

Water intoxication is rare, but certain scenarios can increase the risk:

1. Sporting Events and Endurance Training

These endurance athletes are prone to water intoxication, especially if they drink large amounts of water without replacing lost electrolytes. Hyponatremia usually happens during long races or marathons as individuals mistake fatigue and muscle cramps for dehydration and continue drinking water in excess.

2. Military Training

Overhydration among military personnel is usually due to severe physical activity in extreme environmental conditions. The total number of hyponatremia cases documented from 2007 through 2022 for the active duty in the United States exceeds 1,600, with a note to this problem on exertion-related overhydration.

3. Mental Health Conditions

Compulsive water drinking, known as psychogenic polydipsia, is linked with some mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and psychosis. People with these conditions tend to drink too much water, causing a hazardous electrolyte imbalance.

4. Drug Abuse

Drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy) raise the body temperature and make people thirsty, and at times, some people tend to drink excess water at events like music festivals. MDMA also leads to urine retention, thus exacerbating the dangers of water intoxication.

How Much Water Is Too Much?

The exact amount of water that causes intoxication varies from one person to another. However, drinking more than 1 liter of water per hour for several hours raises the risk. For healthy individuals, the risk of overhydration is low unless taking part in extreme physical activity or ignoring thirst cues.

Certain medical conditions, such as kidney or liver disorders, can impair the body's ability to process fluids, and even moderate water intake may be harmful. Similarly, certain medications, such as diuretics and antipsychotics, can affect the perception of thirst or fluid regulation.

How Much Water Is Enough?

The widely touted recommendation of eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day has little basis in fact. According to the National Academy of Medicine, a daily total fluid intake is about 15 cups (3.7 liters) for males and 11 cups (2.7 liters) for females, from beverage sources and from food. Usually, about 20 percent of daily hydration comes from foods such as fruits and vegetables.

A better rule of thumb is to listen to your body and drink water based on thirst. Use the color of your urine as an indicator:

• Light yellow urine indicates proper hydration.
• Dark yellow urine may indicate dehydration.

Older adults, whose thirst mechanisms may decline with age, should be proactive about maintaining hydration, especially during illness or hot weather.

Water Intoxication vs. Dehydration

The symptoms of water intoxication—such as headaches, fatigue, and muscle weakness—are similar to those of dehydration. If you are unsure which condition you are experiencing, seek medical attention immediately rather than self-treating with more water.

Preventing Water Intoxication

To avoid the dangers of overhydration:

• Drink water gradually throughout the day rather than consuming large amounts at once.
• Replace lost electrolytes post high-intensity exercise or heavy sweating.
• Consider using sports drinks or salty snacks to help replenish sodium.
• Keep track of fluid consumption during long-duration activities, and do not consume more water than the body is losing in terms of electrolytes.
• If on medications or have specific medical conditions, check with your doctor regarding the safety of drinking water.

For signs of severe water intoxication-including confusion, drowsiness, seizures, and loss of consciousness-customer is advised to seek medical assistance immediately. In the meanwhile, a salty snack would help to temporarily correct low sodium levels.

Hydration is important to health, but overhydration can be a serious risk; the secret is in finding a balance. Drink enough water to satisfy your body, but not so much that it overwhelms your system. Remember, water is life, but moderation keeps it that way.

Hyponatremia (low sodium level in the blood). National Kidney Foundation. 2023.

Water Toxicity. NIH. 2023

Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia: 2017 Update. Front Med (Lausanne). 2017

Update: Exertional Hyponatremia Among Active Component Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 2007–2022

With the drop in temperature and rising pollution levels, many people are finding themselves dealing with constant coughs, chest discomfort, and breathing trouble. Both indoor and outdoor air pollution are fuelling a sharp rise in respiratory diseases, including one of the most dangerous — pneumonia.

This infection severely affects the lungs, and exposure to polluted air can make it harder to recover. The worsening air quality in the capital, with AQI levels soaring, poses an even greater risk for those already suffering from pneumonia. Here’s how air pollution contributes to pneumonia symptoms and slows recovery.

How Can Air Pollution Make Your Pneumonia Worse?

According to health experts, air pollution is cutting life expectancy by up to ten years for people living in highly polluted cities like Delhi. The city’s air carries a dense mix of harmful particles and gases — including PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, that are altering how respiratory illnesses like pneumonia develop and spread.

Doctors warn that these pollutants not only increase the chances of infection but also worsen existing symptoms. Polluted air contains fine particles and toxic gases that harm the lining of the lungs, weaken their natural defences, and make it easier for viruses and bacteria to cause infection.

Impact of Air Pollution on Pneumonia Symptoms

Here’s how poor air quality intensifies pneumonia and its symptoms.

Air Pollution Worsens Lung Inflammation and Tissue Damage

Tiny particles (PM2.5) and gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) can harm the cells that protect and support the lungs. These cells are vital for respiratory health, and when they’re damaged, inflammation and tissue injury follow. This can worsen pneumonia symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.

The NHS notes that people already battling pneumonia often experience more severe cough, congestion, and breathlessness when pollution levels spike. Inflamed lungs become even more sensitive to irritants in the air, slowing recovery and raising the chances of complications.

Air Pollution Exacerbates Respiratory Symptoms

Polluted air irritates the airways, leading to coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness, symptoms that overlap with pneumonia. This overlap makes it harder for doctors to track the disease’s progress or adjust treatment effectively. The irritation also deepens existing respiratory distress, making symptoms more intense and uncomfortable.

Long-term and Short-term Exposure to Air Pollution

Both immediate and prolonged exposure to polluted air have harmful effects. Short-term exposure can trigger sudden flare-ups, while long-term exposure weakens the lungs, making them more prone to recurring infections. Over time, this raises the risk of severe pneumonia episodes and long-lasting breathing issues.

Pollutants Increase Susceptibility to Respiratory Infections

Toxic air pollutants reduce vital lung defence mechanisms and disrupt the lungs’ natural cleaning system, which usually removes germs and particles. With these defences weakened, infections like pneumonia can set in more easily and linger longer.

Exposure Increases Symptom Severity

Children under five and individuals with existing respiratory problems are especially vulnerable. When exposed to polluted air, their pneumonia symptoms can become far more serious, with increased difficulty breathing and a higher risk of severe health complications.

Air pollution has become a silent aggravator of pneumonia, making an already serious illness far more dangerous. As winter deepens and air quality continues to drop, it is crucial for vulnerable individuals to stay indoors during peak pollution hours, wear protective masks, and use air purifiers where possible.

A cough is one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor. But not every cough is a cause for panic, and not every cough is pneumonia.

According to Dr. Harshil Alwani, Consultant, Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, most coughs that follow a viral infection, allergy, or common cold usually fade within a week or ten days. These often come with mild throat irritation or a stuffy nose, and improve gradually with rest and hydration.

Pneumonia, however, is an entirely different story. The cough becomes harsher, more painful, and often brings up thick yellow or green sputum. Fever, chills, chest pain, and breathlessness are telltale signs that something deeper is going on. In severe cases, people may experience fatigue, confusion, or rapid breathing, especially older adults or those with chronic conditions. These are definite red flags that need urgent attention.

Not Always The Textbook Symptoms

What makes pneumonia particularly tricky, says Dr. Alwani, is that it doesn’t always appear with dramatic symptoms.

“In elderly individuals, or those with diabetes, heart disease, or weak immunity, pneumonia can present very quietly, sometimes just as low energy, loss of appetite, or mild breathlessness,” he explains. “That’s why subtle changes shouldn’t be ignored.”

A chest X-ray is the simplest and most reliable way to confirm pneumonia. In unclear cases, a CT scan can give a clearer picture, while blood tests like CRP or procalcitonin help determine whether the infection is bacterial (which may require antibiotics) or viral (where supportive care is enough).

Why Children Are Especially at Risk

Children, unfortunately, bear a large part of the global pneumonia burden.

Dr. Srikanta J.T., Consultant, Paediatric Interventional Pulmonology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, points out that pneumonia is riskier for children because their immune systems are still developing and their lungs are smaller. “Their bodies can’t fight infections as strongly as adults can,” he explains.

Malnutrition, lack of vaccination, and exposure to polluted air or cigarette smoke heighten the risk. In 2016 alone, India recorded over 1.58 lakh deaths among children under five due to pneumonia, with a death rate of 6.3 per 1,000 live births.

Poor sanitation, crowded homes, and delayed access to medical care make matters worse. “Children from low-income families are especially vulnerable,” Dr. Srikanta notes. “Simple steps like breastfeeding, timely vaccination, and clean air can save countless young lives.”

Why India Is Still a Hotspot

Two-thirds of all pneumonia and diarrhoea-related deaths occur in just 15 countries — and India is among them. Experts say the problem is linked to a mix of environmental and socioeconomic factors.

Overcrowded urban slums, polluted air, malnutrition, and poor healthcare access mean infections spread faster and treatment often comes too late. In rural areas, limited healthcare facilities and awareness make early diagnosis difficult.

“The situation worsens when antibiotics are used carelessly,” warns Dr. Srikanta. “We’re now seeing more drug-resistant pneumonia cases in children — infections that don’t respond to standard treatment, forcing doctors to use stronger, costlier drugs.”

The Role of Pollution and Climate Change

Rising air pollution and erratic weather are adding new challenges. Dirty air filled with smoke, dust, and harmful gases irritates the lungs, lowering their ability to fight infections. Sudden temperature shifts, like hot days followed by chilly nights, weaken immunity, helping bacteria and viruses thrive.

Floods, droughts, and poor air quality also limit access to clean water and nutrition, further increasing children’s vulnerability. “Cleaner energy and better air control aren’t just climate goals anymore,” Dr. Srikanta stresses. “They’re essential to protecting children’s lungs.”

New Hope: Vaccines and Awareness

Fortunately, progress is being made. New and updated vaccines are offering stronger protection against the bacteria that cause pneumonia. Governments and health organisations are expanding immunisation drives to reach children in remote and low-income regions. Awareness campaigns are also encouraging parents to complete all vaccine doses on time.

Experts say these combined efforts, along with better nutrition, hygiene, and early treatment — are gradually reducing pneumonia deaths worldwide. But there’s still a long way to go.

When to See a Doctor

Dr. Alwani advises not to “wait it out” if a cough lasts more than a week, worsens, or is accompanied by fever, fatigue, or breathlessness. “Timely medical evaluation can prevent complications and even save lives,” he says.

For prevention, he recommends staying well-hydrated, eating a balanced diet, resting adequately, and avoiding cigarette smoke or polluted environments. “The goal isn’t just to treat pneumonia — it’s to strengthen your lungs and immunity so you don’t get it in the first place.”

Born without a brain, Alex Simpson of Nebraska defied all odds by celebrating her 20th birthday recently; doctors said she wouldn’t live past age four. Alex’s remarkable milestone made the news headlines; her parents Shawn and Lorena Simpson, shared her inspiring story with local news outlet KETV.

Hydranencephaly is very rare, affecting an estimated 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000 pregnancies.

Alex was born with a condition where most of her brain is missing. As her father, Shawn, explained, "Hydranencephaly means that her brain is not there." He noted that she only has a small portion of her cerebellum, about "half the size of my pinky finger"—in the back of her head, but little else.

Tragically, doctors initially told the family that Alex was not expected to live past the age of four.

Can A Person Live Without A Brain?

Hydranencephaly, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is most often fatal within the first year of life, making Alex’s 20th birthday an exceptional medical outlier and a true testament to her strength and her family's devotion.

Hydranencephaly is a very rare birth defect that affects the central nervous system. A baby born with this condition is missing a significant part of the brain called the cerebral hemispheres.

Missing Parts

The cerebral hemispheres are the two large, front halves of the brain (the cerebrum). These parts are responsible for higher functions like thinking, memory, and movement control.

Fluid-Filled Sacs

Instead of the actual brain tissue, there are large sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This is the fluid that normally acts as a cushion for the brain and spinal cord.

Outlook

Because so much of the brain is missing, the condition is usually fatal either before birth or shortly afterward. Babies who survive often develop an enlarged head and have severe symptoms.

What Causes A Baby To Be Born Without A Brain?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that abnormal brain formation happens during early pregnancy and it can be caused by a birth defect, injury, or illness. The exact cause is unknown. Scientists suspect it might be inherited, but they don't fully understand the pattern. Some cases have been linked to exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy.

Does Hydranencephaly Have Symptoms?

A baby born with hydranencephaly might seem normal at first. Symptoms usually appear within the first few weeks or months:

Head Size: The head gets larger than normal.

Growth Problems: Failure to gain weight or grow well ("failure to thrive").

Muscle Issues: Muscles might be too stiff (rigid arms/legs) or have increased or decreased tone and twitching.

Basic Senses: Problems with seeing and hearing.

Breathing: Difficulty breathing.

How is Hydranencephaly Diagnosed and Treated?

It can be spotted during a prenatal ultrasound, which uses sound waves to check the baby. If hydranencephaly is suspected, an MRI might be used for clearer pictures of the missing brain tissue.

If it wasn't seen before birth, a doctor will make the diagnosis based on the baby's symptoms and a detailed brain MRI. Other tests like a CT scan, angiography, which is an X-ray of blood vessels, or genetic testing may also be used.

There is no cure for hydranencephaly. So, the treatment focuses on making the baby as comfortable as possible and managing the symptoms:

Fluid Management

Surgery to place a shunt, which is a thin tube, can drain excess fluid from the skull to reduce pressure, which helps manage the enlarging head, though its effectiveness is limited compared to hydrocephalus.

Medication

Antiseizure medications may be given to control twitching or spasms.

Supportive Care

This includes nutritional support (feeding), physical therapy to help with muscle problems, and sometimes a tracheostomy or ventilator if the baby has trouble breathing.