What is water intoxication and how does it cause a coma?

Water intoxication, or hyponatremia, occurs when sodium levels in the blood drop too low due to excessive water intake. This dilutes electrolytes, causing brain cells to swell, leading to confusion, seizures, and in severe cases, coma or death.

How much water is too much during a sports match?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but health experts advise drinking to thirst rather than fixed schedules. For most adults, 200–300 ml every 15–20 minutes during prolonged activity is sufficient; overhydration starts when intake outpaces output.

Did the fan’s World Cup team or location play a role?

The fan was from Jura, a region in Switzerland, but the specific match or teams involved were not disclosed. The incident occurred during the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Are there warning signs of overhydration?

Early symptoms include nausea, headache, confusion, and muscle cramps. As it progresses, victims may experience seizures, irregular breathing, or loss of consciousness—requiring immediate medical attention.

How common is this in sports fandom?

Cases are rare but not unheard of. Doctors warn that the rise of hydration culture—fueled by sports drink marketing and social media trends—has made overhydration a growing, under‑recognized risk for spectators.

Swiss fan hospitalized in coma after overhydration during World Cup watch party

A Jura man's collapse spotlights how extreme hydration culture can turn fandom deadly, even from a couch.

ByKostadin Stamboliev1 sourcePublished 1 Jul, 19:50

Swiss fan hospitalized in coma after overhydration during World Cup watch party

A 30-year-old Swiss soccer fan from the Jura region was rushed to hospital and fell into a coma after drinking excessive amounts of water during a World Cup match, doctors confirmed on Tuesday. The man, whose name has not been released, reportedly consumed several litres of water in a short period while watching the tournament on television, triggering severe water intoxication—hyponatremia—that caused his brain to swell. ” Hospital records obtained by local media show the incident occurred during the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, though the specific match is not disclosed.

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