Here Are 11 Signs That You May Be Drinking Too Much Water, According To Doctors

Too Much Water Can Be Harmful, How Is That Possible?

It is highly recommended you drink adequate amounts of water for your body to function properly. That is, unless you drink too much of it. Experts say overhydration is equally harmful as dehydration.

In general, excessive water consumption does not cause any harm—but in certain circumstances, it can cause severe illness and even death, says Austin DeRosa, MD, chair of robotic surgery at the University of Colorado Medicine at UCHealth Cancer Center in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. A condition called hyponatremia, or “water intoxication,” causes abnormally low sodium and electrolyte levels in your blood, which in turn can cause seizures, comas, and, in rare cases, death.

A doctor here tells how water intoxication can cause seizures, comas, even death if left untreated. According to Jennifer Caudle, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician and associate professor at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in New Jersey, one of the most common health myths I hear from patients is that you should just drink water and you can’t drink enough. Drinking too much water can have serious consequences, which is why this myth is so dangerous.”

Fortunately, there are plenty of signs you may be among the overzealous sippers. If so, you probably think you’re just trying to take great care of yourself…but, by chance, are you too hydrated?

Always Carrying A Water Bottle With You When You Leave The House

Consuming too much water can lead to low sodium levels in the blood, causing the cells of your body to swell. If you carry a water bottle everywhere and refill it as soon as the water level depletes, you may be drinking too much water.

It becomes especially dangerous when the brain starts to swell, says Tamara Hew-Butler, PhD, an exercise science professor at Oakland University. Hew-Butler says that your brain can only swell about eight to ten percent before reaches the skull and pushes your brain stem out. This is a very concerning condition, and we’re looking forward to finding out more about it.

All Day Long, You Suffer From Throbbing Headaches

Dehydration or overhydration can cause headaches. When you drink too much water, you reduce your blood’s salt concentration, causing your cells to swell.

Again, this can have an effect on the brain. When your salt concentration is low, your cells grow. Think of it this way: When you drink too much water, your brain grows and presses against your skull. As a result of this extra pressure, you might experience headaches or more serious health problems, such as brain damage or breathing difficulties.

You No Longer Feel The Urge To Urinate

Children are taught the skill of controlling urination at an early age, which is why we “potty train” them. You can, however, untrain that skill if you continuously overfill your bladder due to excess drinking or holding in your urine, says Dr. DeRosa. It can be difficult to tell when you need to pee or make you feel as though you must go despite not having to.

Even When You Don’t Feel Thirsty, You Drink Water

It is best to pay attention to your body’s thirst in order to determine if it really needs more water. “We have all of these built-in mechanisms built into our bodies to keep us from dehydration because we have always lived in fear of scarcity,” Hew-Butler says, “so we can fight dehydration.” Every body uses thirst as its own individual sensor, letting it know when more water is needed.”

Also Read: Arthritis – Find Out What Causes The Joint Disease And What The Symptoms Are

The Color Of Your Urine Is Similar To Water

A healthy amount of water should result in straw-colored to transparent yellow urine. In fact, Dr. Caudle says, having colorless urine is an indication that you’re drinking too much water—it’s a myth that clear urine is the healthiest sign of hydration.

It is generally recommended that you drink eight to ten cups of water a day. According to Dr. Caudle, how much water your body needs is dependent on your height, weight, age, activity, health status, and weather. The key is to recognize what thirst feels like to you.

The frequency of urination, including at night, is high

The clinical term for urinating is void, which Dr. DeRosa says, “A person voids between six and ten times a day, so you may be drinking more water than your body requires.” In addition to waking up in the night to urinate, he says that frequent urination is another sign of overhydration.

Besides an overactive bladder, frequent urination can also be caused by excessive caffeine consumption, so if you’re still experiencing frequent urination, talk to your doctor if your water intake is normal.

Leaks Are Occurring In Your System

It’s common for your bladder to hold 20 to 30 ounces of liquid before it needs to be emptied, but Dr. DeRosa recommends not stretching your bladder too far.

It is possible to have an overactive bladder if you need to urinate more than once a night, or if you have to pee more than every two hours.

Experiencing Nausea, Diarrhea, Or Vomiting

In overhydration, your kidneys are unable to remove excess liquid from your body, resulting in water buildup. If you drink too much water, you can experience symptoms of dehydration as well.

Some of the unpleasant symptoms caused by this disease include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (we have a few home remedies for these conditions).

Your Lips, Feet, And Hands Seem Discolored Or Swollen

It is common for people with hyponatremia to experience swelling or discoloration of their hands, lips, and feet. (Even in less severe cases, drinking water can cause your skin to appear swollen or bloated as well.) When all of your body cells start to swell, your skin begins to visibly swell as well.

Due to swelling and excess water in the bloodstream, people who drink too much water might suddenly gain weight. When you drink more than 10 cups of water a day and notice swelling or discoloration in your hands, lips, and feet, you may want to cut back on your water intake to see if your symptoms subside.

Having Weak Muscles And Cramping Is A Common Complaint

The key to maintaining a healthy, properly functioning body is to stay hydrated. Drinking too much water depletes electrolytes, which compromises the body’s pH balance. Low electrolyte levels can cause cramping, muscle spasms, and other unpleasant symptoms.

Coconut water contains electrolytes and is 100 percent natural, preventing muscle problems. Our list contains several electrolyte drinks recommended by nutritionists.

Feeling Fatigued Or Tired

Besides filtering the water you drink, your kidneys also ensure that the levels of fluids in your bloodstream stay healthy. Drinking too much water makes your kidneys work even harder, causing the hormones to produce a stressful reaction that leaves your body tired and stressed. You may be overloading your kidneys if you drink a lot of water and find it difficult to get out of bed.

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