Final answer:
Water intoxication and hyponatremia are caused by a significant imbalance of water and sodium in the body, leading to serious health consequences. It can result from renal failure, excessive fluid intake, hormonal imbalances, or conditions causing abnormal sodium loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
The syndrome that results in both water intoxication and hyponatremia is a serious condition caused by an imbalance of water and electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication, also known as hyperhydration, occurs when there is an excessive intake or retention of water in the body, leading to a dilution of sodium in the bloodstream. This can happen due to various factors, such as renal failure, hypersecretion of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), excessive administration of fluids, or in rare cases, from drinking extremely large quantities of water in a short period, such as was demonstrated in the unfortunate case of Jennifer Strange in 2007.
Hyponatremia is characterized by a lower-than-normal concentration of sodium in the blood, which can lead to symptoms such as headache, nausea, muscular weakness, reduced blood pressure, brain swelling, and in severe cases, brain damage or death. This imbalance can be due to excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, use of diuretics, certain medical conditions like diabetes, metabolic acidosis, or overproduction of urine. It is crucial to balance water and sodium intake to avoid these potentially life-threatening conditions.