Published on August 17, 2021 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." 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." 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." 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." 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 Mayo Clinic. 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. RELATED: 6 Delicious Infused Water Recipes That Make It So Easy to Stay Hydrated  Everyone knows it’s important to drink water when it’s hot outside, but as the heat index soars this summer, how do you know if you’re drinking enough? Recently, this article from the Washington Post suggested that drinking too much water can be dangerous, and according to social media, water can cure heart attacks and tuberculosis. So what’s the truth when it comes to drinking water? Let me separate the fact from the fiction. Why do you need to drink water? Water makes up about 60 percent of body weight, which makes it the largest single component of the human body. You lose water through skin, breathing, urine and stool, and this must be balanced with water taken in through food and drink. When you take in less water than you expend, you become dehydrated. Water helps to maintain a normal body temperature, lubricate joints, protect sensitive tissues like the spinal cord, and get rid of wastes. It can help skin look better, help control weight and help prevent constipation. On the other hand, dehydration may increase the risk for urinary tract infections, gallstones, kidney stones, certain types of cancer and abnormal heart rhythms. Convinced that water is important? Good. So how much should you drink? Sources of total water intake include drinking water, other beverages and foods. There is no dietary requirement for how much water a person should drink.* More water is needed in hot climates, with increased physical activity, or during illnesses that include fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. Fortunately, when you’re not getting enough water, your body has a way of letting you know – thirst. It’s not necessary to count glasses of water, as most individuals will meet their water intake needs by drinking when thirsty and drinking with meals. As long as a person has access to drinking water and other beverages, he or she will usually drink enough water, including children. Urine output is a good indicator of hydration status and is especially helpful with young children and infants who cannot tell you when they are thirsty. You can take simple steps to help ensure you drink enough water. Bring a water bottle with you or keep one close by at work. Order water instead of sugary beverages at restaurants. Eat foods that are high in water content, like fruits and vegetables. During these hot summer months, take frequent water breaks, especially while being active. Is it possible to drink too much water? Healthy people are able to control their water consumption, so most people will not drink too much water. In fact, it’s not harmful for healthy people to chronically drink large amounts of water as long as it’s balanced by water losses. Occasionally, people drink more than needed so quickly that their bodies cannot get rid of the excess. This is most common in endurance athletes, like marathoners and triathletes, and can lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances. Although rare, you can help prevent this by drinking sports drinks if you are exercising for more than an hour and avoiding excessive hydration. Infants under six months of age are particularly at risk if given water to drink; they should receive breast milk or formula only, unless otherwise recommended by their doctor. Drinking enough water is vital to one’s health, and staying well-hydrated doesn’t have to be complicated. As the peak of summer’s heat and humidity approaches, remember to bring along your water bottle! * The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has set an Adequate Intake for total water intake, based on the median intake of water estimated from U.S. dietary surveys, at 13 cups per day for men and 9 cups per day for women. About Dr. Salassi Michele Salassi, MD, FAAP is a pediatric and internal medicine physician with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group North Point. She received her medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. She also completed her residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Dr. Salassi is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Physicians. Click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Salassi. Sources: Hew-Butler, T, et al. Statement of the Third International Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia Consensus Development Conference, Carlsbad, California, 2015. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2015. Volume 25, Issue 4, p. 303-320 Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. 2015. p.73-185. “Summer Safety Tips: Sun and Water Safety.” HealthyChildren.org. Accessed July 2015. <https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Summer-Safety-Tips-Sun-and-Water-Safety.aspx> “Water and Juice.” HealthyChildren.org. Accessed July 2015. <https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Water-Juice.aspx> “Water and Nutrition.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/nutrition> How much drinking water a day is too much?As drinking too much water can disrupt your body's electrolyte balance and lead to hyponatremia, 3 liters (100 ounces) may be too much for some people.
Is 2 gallons of water a day too much?For most people, there is really no limit for daily water intake and a gallon a day is not harmful. But for those who have congestive heart failure or end stage kidney disease, sometimes water needs to be restricted because the body can't process it correctly.
How do I know if I drank too much water?When you're overhydrated, you will notice some swelling or discoloration of your feet, hands, and lips. When the cells swell, the skin will also swell. Weak muscles that cramp easily. When the electrolyte levels drop because of drinking too much water, your body balance goes down.
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