To avoid hyponatremia, it is important not to outpace the kidneys by drinking more water than they can eliminate. The authors of the study report that hyponatremia symptoms can develop if a person drinks 3—4 liters of water in a short period, though they do not give a specific time estimate. According to one case report , soldiers developed symptoms after consuming at least 2 quarts 1. Another report describes the development of hyponatremia after drinking more than 5 liters in a few hours.
Water intoxication and prolonged hyponatremia also occurred in an otherwise healthy year-old prisoner who drank 6 liters of water in 3 hours. Finally, according to one report , a 9-year-old girl developed water intoxication after consuming 3.
Bottom line : The kidneys can remove 20—28 liters of water per day, but they cannot excrete more than 0. Drinking more than this can be harmful. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , there are no official guidelines about how much water a person needs to drink each day. The right amount differs, depending on factors such as body weight , level of physical activity, the climate, and whether they are breastfeeding. In , The National Academy of Medicine recommended that women aged 19—30 consume around 2.
However, this was not based on research. Relying on thirst may not work for everyone. Athletes, older adults, and pregnant women, for example, may need to drink more water each day. To estimate the right amount, it can help to consider calories. If a person needs 2, calories per day, they should also consume 2, milliliters of water per day.
Read more about daily water intake recommendations here. Drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication. This is rare and tends to develop among endurance athletes and soldiers. There are no official guidelines about how much water to drink. To avoid water intoxication, some sources recommend drinking no more than 0.
Drinking water is often overlooked as a necessary part of staying healthy. The body and blood are largely made of water, and so we need a lot of fluid…. If you begin experiencing symptoms, like confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness, you may want to seek immediate medical attention.
How much water are you supposed to drink a day, debunking the 8-cups-a-day myth. I drink a gallon of water a day — here are my tips for staying well hydrated. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.
Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Sophia Mitrokostas. Drinking water is crucial. But it's possible to drink too much water and become overhydrated.
Overhydration can lead to falling electrolyte levels, which can cause headaches and muscle weakness. Merck and Co.
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Common Health Topics. Water Balance. Test your knowledge. Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low level of sugar glucose in the blood. People with which of the following conditions are most likely to develop hypoglycemia? More Content. Overhydration By James L. This seemingly crazy phenomenon is more common for people going through intense training programs, including triathlon or ultramarathon runners, members of the military, or professional athletes. According to the U.
National Library of Medicine, extreme thirst could also be triggered by medications like diuretics, or a symptom of high blood sugar. One way to keep track of your water intake is by looking at the color of your urine. According to urologist Vannita Simma-Chiang, M. But if your urine is clear, that's a sign you're drinking way too much. If this is the case, don't panic. It's not always dangerous to have clear urine, Simma-Chiang says. However, it is the body's way of signaling that you've had plenty to drink.
Take note of that, and hold off on sipping until you feel thirsty again. The average, healthy person will pee every three to four hours , Simma-Chiang says. Any more than that, there's a good chance they're overhydrating.
When you drink too much water, you're driving that process of water in, water out, she says. Aside from the dangers of overhydration, going back and forth to the bathroom all day long is distracting, and having your sleep disrupted by a full bladder can be even worse.
Because of the electrolyte imbalance, namely low sodium, it's not uncommon to experience muscle cramping, weakness, or spasms, as a side effect of overhydration. To replace electrolytes, Waldrop recommends drinking an electrolyte-infused beverage , taking electrolyte supplements, or eating a snack that contains electrolytes.
Unless you're feeling thirsty, or your throat and mouth are dry, you probably don't need to take that extra sip or chug. One way to keep track of this is by keeping a voiding diary: what you're drinking and how much you're drinking, she says. In very severe cases, seizure, coma, or death can result.
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