When you drink too much water, your kidneys can't get rid of the excess water. The sodium content of your blood becomes diluted. This is called hyponatremia and it can be life-threatening.
When overhydration occurs quickly, vomiting and trouble with balance develop. If overhydration worsens, confusion, seizures, or coma may develop. When overhydration occurs and blood volume is normal, the excess water usually moves into the cells, and tissue swelling (edema) does not occur.
In many cases of hyponatremia, people will experience noticeable swelling or discoloration in their hands, lips, and feet, says Dr. Caudle. When all of the cells throughout your body swell, your skin will start to visibly swell as well. (Even in less severe cases, drinking water can lead to looking swollen or bloated.)
When your diet includes more sodium than your kidneys can filter out, which occurs in people who have failing kidneys, your extracellular water levels will increase. In some cases, this increased extracellular water shows visible swelling throughout the body and is a condition known as edema.
If the kidneys do not work properly, they cannot remove waste material, including fluids and sodium. The fluid will therefore stay in the body. People with chronic kidney disease, for example, may notice swelling in the lower limbs, hands, or face.
The length of time that it takes to lose water weight depends on how much water you're retaining, the cause of the water weight gain, and the action taken to lose it. If you have one high-sodium meal and then return to normal, healthy dietary habits, you'll likely return to your normal weight in 1-2 days.
Although water is one of the fundamental constituents in the human body, its excess is not beneficial. Too much water in the body favours, among other things, the formation of unaesthetic swelling in the upper and lower limbs, as well as increasing the body weight.
Retaining extra fluid does more than make you feel bloated and uncomfortable. It can also make your blood pressure go up, causing your heart to work harder to pump blood. Over time, your heart may get weaker and not work as well, which could eventually lead to heart failure.
But how much water is too much? "Drinking more than the kidneys can eliminate could cause hyponatremia in some people," says Hultin, noting that the kidneys can eliminate 27 to 34 ounces of water per hour, or a total of 676 to 947 ounces (20 to 28 liters) per day. More than that might put you in the danger zone.
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 U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men. About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.
According to nephrologist Dr. John Maesaka, the kidney can only excrete up to 1 liter an hour. This means that if you are severely overhydrated, it will take a few hours after water intake has stopped for the body's hydration levels to return back to normal, even if a diuretic is taken.
If water is continuously taken in too much quantity, it may lead to kidney stones and chronic kidney diseases.” He added that sudden dehydration may lead to acute kidney failure and unconsciousness. People who had kidney or cardiac failures are usually unable to tolerate excessive fluid intake.
As a general rule, you can use this simple calculation. Water (in litres) to drink a day = Your Weight (in Kg) multiplied by 0.033.
Mineral, structured, and pure spring water are some of the healthiest water you can drink because they're clean and contain all the essential minerals your body needs. Filtered water removes contaminants but might also remove essential minerals.
Drinking too much water can be dangerous
Symptoms of hyponatremia include weakness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and — in severe cases — even death ( 22 ). Although your kidneys can excrete up to 20–28 liters (4.5–6 gallons) of water per day, they can only process 800–1,000 ml (27–34 ounces) of water per hour ( 23 ).
Foamy, frothy or bubbly urine.
It will vary for everyone. However, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies determined: Adequately hydrated males drink about 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of water daily. Adequately hydrated females drink about 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of water daily.
The Eatwell Guide says we should drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.
Here is one more reason to enjoy that morning cup of joe: “Coffee counts toward your daily water intake,” says Lauren DeWolf, MS, RD, a registered dietitian with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers. The water in coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages helps us meet our daily fluid needs.
You'll feel less hungry and may even lose weight. You'll probably experience more comfortable digestion (less heartburn). Bowel movements might be easier and more regular. Your teeth and gums will be healthier and more resilient.