Water Excess

Water Excess

• Known as "water intoxication".

Causes

• Results from induced hypo-osmolality, e.g.
  • Excessive administration of water to previously deprived animals.
  • Administration of large volumes of water to animals with acute renal failure.

Effects

• The ECF osmolality is reduced.
• Water is transferred to the cells and they become "water-logged".
  • Intracellular oedema in the CNS results in convulsions and death.