A recent investigation into the death of a Tasmanian wanderer has become the center of attention for a little known reason: drinking too much water.
Bushwalker Jonathan Dent was lost during a four-hour walk. He called his wife several times during the day to say he was lost, but unfortunately he was not discovered until rescuers found his body two days later. A survey found the cause of death, and found that Dent died of hyponatremia, more commonly known as "water poisoning."
So how can a substance as benign as water kill?
Hyponatremia occurs when the body's sodium levels are diluted by excessive water consumption. The condition can be fatal as the symptoms make the victim feel as if they are dehydrated.
A 2005 study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that one sixth of marathon runners developed some degree of hyponatremia, and it has also been identified as a possible cause of six unexplained Australian deaths on the 2006 Kokoda Trail hikes. .
Dr. Sean Rothwell was part of a research team that investigated the deaths, and said that understanding of people's body water needs has become distorted. "There is no scientific evidence that one needs to drink eight glasses of water a day." And adds: "Only drink water when you feel thirsty."
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