Final answer:
The most likely cause of Sue's symptoms of nausea and headache after increasing her water intake by 30 fold is water intoxication or hyponatremia, which can occur when too much water dilutes the body's sodium levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Your friend Sue is on the first day of a new diet and has increased her daily consumption of water by 30 fold in order to create a sensation of fullness. The most likely cause of Sue's symptoms, which include nausea and headache, is water intoxication or hyponatremia. This condition occurs when there is an excessive intake of water in a short period which dilutes the sodium in the body, leading to an imbalance. Healthy kidneys can typically excrete up to one liter of excess water per hour, but consuming significantly more than this can overwhelm the body's ability to maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance.
The symptoms described, such as headache and nausea, align with those of water intoxication. In severe cases, as evidenced by a tragic incident in 2007, water intoxication can lead to more serious complications and even be fatal. To avoid such adverse effects, it is essential to maintain a balanced approach to hydration, consuming adequate amounts of water but not in excess.