Can drinking too much water hurt you?

Drinking too much water in a short period of time can, in extreme cases, result in a condition known as hyponatremia, also known as water intoxication, according to WebMD. Excessive intake of water can result in the salt levels in the body dropping dangerously low, possibly resulting in death.

Symptoms of extreme overconsumption of water include nausea, vomiting and altered mental states. If left untreated, the patient can experience muscle weakness, seizures, coma and death, as stated by Healthline. The condition is very rare, but there have been multiple cases of hyponatremia resulting in death, as reported by Scientific American.