Updated on October 22, 2022 Pick up almost any lifestyle magazine, turn to a random page (that isn't an ad),
and chances are you'll see some version of the same tip: Drink more water. Dry skin? You're probably dehydrated. (Nope, that's a myth.) Feeling off? Drinking plenty of water is
a form of self-care. Not sleeping well? Be sure to increase your water intake during the day, but take it easy in the evenings because you don't want to be running to the bathroom all night. Given all this pro-hydration advice, it's no wonder some people feel
pressured to force themselves to drink eight glasses of water each day—even if, in truth, it's not really in their best interest. Don't get us wrong: water is absolutely an essential part of our overall health, and becoming dehydrated can lead to all sorts of problems. But where hydration is concerned, it is possible
to drink too much water. Here's what to know about drinking far more water than you need to, or overhydration, including the signs, risks, and treatments. In short, yes: There is such a thing as drinking too much water—but why is that bad? "Kidneys can excrete up to 28 liters of fluid in a day, but only one liter an hour," says
Christina Lang, MD, internal medicine and pediatric physician at UCHealth in Fort Collins. "Drinking more than this can lead to water intoxication and electrolyte imbalances." MDs explain the risks of overhydration, plus how much water you should really be drinking.
Is it possible to drink too much water?
According to Natasha Trentacosta, MD, a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, overhydration is often seen in athletes if they drink an excessive amount of water. Doing so can dilute the sodium in their bodies, resulting in a condition called hyponatremia.
Additionally, people with certain kidney diseases can become overhydrated without drinking large amounts of water, because they are unable to regulate the excretion of the water in their urine, Dr. Trentacosta explains. "Normally, drinking large amounts of water—even up to 6 gallons—can be managed by the natural ability of our bodies to regulate water excretion through the combined efforts of the pituitary gland, kidneys, liver, and heart," she says. "If any of these organs are dysfunctional, that upper limit can be lowered."
Warning signs you're drinking too much water:
The most common signs of overhydration are confusion, disorientation, nausea, and vomiting, Dr. Lang says. She adds that in more severe cases, additional symptoms can include muscle cramping, weakness, increased blood pressure, double vision, and difficulty breathing.
But what exactly is happening to the body when it gets too much water? "The signs and symptoms of overhydration are the result of our electrolytes being diluted," Dr. Trentacosta explains. "Hyponatremia may present with lethargy or altered mental status as the brain is sensitive to sodium levels in the blood."
What are the biggest risks of drinking too much water?
It is rare, but the truth is that, yes, you can technically die from drinking too much water. As Dr. Trentacosta mentioned earlier, drinking too much water can cause the sodium level in your blood to drop, resulting in hyponatremia. "This can lead to dangerous fluid shifts into the cells of the body, particularly the brain," Dr. Lang explains. "With excessive water drinking, above what the kidney can excrete and/or without replacement of electrolytes (sodium, potassium), a person can have swelling of the brain (cerebral edema), which can be fatal."
How to prevent and treat overhydration.
Instead of having to deal with the effects of drinking too much water, Dr. Lang says that it's best to avoid doing this in the first place. But if it's too late for that, and you've noticed any of the signs of symptoms we described above, it's best to seek immediate medical care, given the impact hyponatremia can have on your brain.
If you're dealing with severe hyponatremia, a member of your healthcare team may put you on a sodium solution IV to gradually replace the sodium in your blood, according to the National Kidney Foundation. But because it's also important to make sure your sodium levels don't increase too much or too quickly, you'll likely have to stay in the hospital so your condition can be monitored. Your healthcare provider may also give you medication to help manage symptoms like headaches, nausea, and seizures.
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We all know the possible health problems brought on by being dehydrated, but can you ever be overhydrated?
Over-hydration occurs when someone drinks too much water which affects our electrolytes. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium) need to be in balance in order to maintain healthy blood, heart rhythm, muscle function and other important functions. Drinking too much water, can cause the electrolyte levels in the body to get out of whack and cause sodium levels plummet. The nerve and heart issues that occur with over-hydration can be deadly.
Though it doesn't happen very often (there have only been 14 confirmed over-hydration deaths), all have occurred in athletes. Either under the impression that over-hydration will lead to better performance or simply trying to prevent dehydration, athletes who drink too much water end up hyponatremic (with low sodium). Even sports drinks which contain some sodium are mostly made of water and consuming too much can lead to the same issues.
For most people, dehydration is the much greater issue. However, if you suspect you may be overhydrated, look for symptoms like cloudy thinking, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps and headaches. In severe cases symptoms could include mental confusion, seizures, unconsciousness and even coma. The first treatment is to stop drinking fluids which will help someone recover in a few hours. However, with more severe symptoms, immediate medical attention is necessary.
To prevent overhydrating, use your thirst cues and urine color as a guide. Drink water when you are thirsty and until your urine is light yellow to clear. Avoid drinking more than 1 liter of fluid per hour which will allow your kidneys to get rid of excess water. If you are experiencing excessive thirst, tell your doctor right away, as this may be a symptom of another serious health issue.