Nina Munro, a 41-year-old woman from Australia, nearly died after drinking too much water in an attempt to flush out a cold. Consuming around four liters of water combined with her medications led to a seizure, and Munro was rushed to the hospital, where doctors told her they didn’t know how she survived. She spent five days in intensive care while her sodium levels were dangerously low, at just 100 milliequivalents per liter, well below the normal range of 135-145.
Munro had been advised to drink plenty of water to combat her cold symptoms, a suggestion she took to heart, leading to her near-fatal water intake. She had also been prescribed multiple medications, including steroids and antibiotics, which contributed to her body’s dangerous reaction to the excessive hydration. After several days of vomiting and feeling unwell, Munro was taken to the hospital by ambulance and immediately admitted to the ICU.
During her recovery, doctors restricted her to drinking only when she was thirsty, reducing her fluid intake to 1.5 liters a day. She spent five days without seeing her daughter, an experience she found deeply difficult. Munro has since made a full recovery but reflects on the terrifying incident, saying, “I was slowly drowning myself and didn’t even know it.”
This rare and serious condition, known as water intoxication or hyponatremia, occurs when too much water dilutes the sodium in the body, leading to severe health risks. Munro’s story serves as a warning to balance hydration and to be cautious with medical advice, especially when taking multiple medications.
