Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Much Is Too Much?Effects of OverhydrationWater IntoxicationRebalancing HydrationMonitoring Water Intake
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Much Is Too Much?
Effects of Overhydration
Water Intoxication
Rebalancing Hydration
Monitoring Water Intake
Overhydration occurs when there is too much water in the body, resulting from either too much fluid intake or an underlying condition causing fluid retention. Consuming too much water can throw off the balance of electrolytes, which are essential minerals that play a role in heart rhythm, blood health, muscle function, and more.
If someone drinks too much water and becomes overhydrated, they will have to limit their water intake for up to several days, take medication to induce more frequent urination, or, in the worst case, stay in the hospital to be monitored and have their fluids andelectrolytes rebalanced.
What Amount of Water Leads to Overhydration?
According to the National Academy of Medicine, healthy adults should drink between 9 and 13 cups of water each day (with each cup equaling 8 ounces) to stay adequately hydrated. When translated into liters and quarts, those numbers are 2.1–3 liters or about 2.25–3.25 quarts per day.
The rate at which water is consumed is an important factor in overhydration. Having too much water in a short period of time can be taxing for the kidneys and increases the risk ofwater intoxication.While rare, this is a condition that causes nonspecific symptoms— those that can point to a number of diseases and conditions—like:
A Word From VerywellThere isn’t an exact amount of water considered “too much” or known to cause water intoxication. In general, too much water is any amount that the kidneys cannot effectively remove from the body, resulting in an electrolyte imbalance. Keep in mind that it is difficult for a healthy adult to accidentally consume too much water. However, it can happen and is most common among endurance athletes and those with underlying health conditions.—ALLISON HERRIES, RDN, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
There isn’t an exact amount of water considered “too much” or known to cause water intoxication. In general, too much water is any amount that the kidneys cannot effectively remove from the body, resulting in an electrolyte imbalance. Keep in mind that it is difficult for a healthy adult to accidentally consume too much water. However, it can happen and is most common among endurance athletes and those with underlying health conditions.—ALLISON HERRIES, RDN, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
There isn’t an exact amount of water considered “too much” or known to cause water intoxication. In general, too much water is any amount that the kidneys cannot effectively remove from the body, resulting in an electrolyte imbalance. Keep in mind that it is difficult for a healthy adult to accidentally consume too much water. However, it can happen and is most common among endurance athletes and those with underlying health conditions.
—ALLISON HERRIES, RDN, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Overhydration Effects and How to Tell
Other than urine color, there aren’t many signs of overhydration, especially early on. That said, you may alsopee more frequentlythan usual. The average number of times a person urinates each day is six to 10.
If you become severely overhydrated, you can develop water toxicity, otherwise known asdilutionalhyponatremia. This occurs when the kidneys cannot expel enough of the water intake.
Symptoms of water toxicity include:
Severe Complications of Overhydration
How Overhydration and Water Intoxication Differ
Overhydration andwater intoxicationare similar but not the same. Overhydration comes first and can turn into water intoxication if a person doesn’t remedy it quickly.
Water intoxication occurs when there is so much water in the body that thenervous systembegins to malfunction, and brain function suffers as a result.
It develops because sodium, a type of electrolyte, becomes severely depleted in the body. This negatively affects the functions that require it, such as blood pressure and muscle movement.
Who Is Prone to Overhydration?Anyone can become overhydrated if they drink too much water. That said, some groups of people may be more prone than others. They include:Highly active people, such as marathon runners, triathletes, endurance cyclists, and elite rowersPeople in the military who participate in high-level training exercisesPeople who participate in extensive hikesThose with underlying health conditions that affect the kidneys or liver and those withheart failure
Who Is Prone to Overhydration?
Anyone can become overhydrated if they drink too much water. That said, some groups of people may be more prone than others. They include:Highly active people, such as marathon runners, triathletes, endurance cyclists, and elite rowersPeople in the military who participate in high-level training exercisesPeople who participate in extensive hikesThose with underlying health conditions that affect the kidneys or liver and those withheart failure
Anyone can become overhydrated if they drink too much water. That said, some groups of people may be more prone than others. They include:
Flushing the Body of Too Much Fluid From Overhydration
Limiting your water intake is the first step in getting rid of excess fluid in the body if you’re overhydrated. You may also be given medication known asdiuretics(sometimes called water pills) that help the body excrete excess water.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend limiting your sodium intake if you are experiencing water retention from a health condition, as sodium can cause the body tohold onto water. On the other hand, sodium replacement may be needed if you are experiencing severe hyponatremia (low sodium levels).
Other possible therapy avenues include:
How to Monitor Daily Water Intake
Since people are unique, theirwater needs differ.You should examine your lifestyle and plan your daily water intake accordingly, following the guidelines mentioned above.
For example, if you are a high-endurance athlete, you may need more water than those who livesedentary lifestyles. It’s about knowing your body andwater needsand consuming enough water to stay adequately hydrated.
You can also download apps to help you monitor how much you’re drinking or purchase a water bottle with measurements on the side to help you determine how much you are drinking and when to pull back or drink more.
Water in FoodWater can also be consumed through the foods that you eat, such as fruits and vegetables. Because of this, what you eat and its water content should also be considered when reaching adequate hydration without going overboard.
Water in Food
Water can also be consumed through the foods that you eat, such as fruits and vegetables. Because of this, what you eat and its water content should also be considered when reaching adequate hydration without going overboard.
Summary
Drinking enough water is vital to overall health, but drinking too much can have just as harmful effects as being dehydrated. When a person drinks too much water, they put themselves at risk for water toxicity and the symptoms that accompany it. Overhydration can be mild, but it can lead to coma or even death in severe cases.
The best way to ensure you are adequately hydrated is to assess your water needs in relation to your overall health and lifestyle, talk to a healthcare provider if you’re unsure, and track your water intake throughout the day.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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