There Is Such a Thing as Drinking Too Much Water
Part and parcel of living at high altitude is always staying hydrated, but there is such thing as overdoing it. If you drink too much water too fast, your blood becomes diluted and your kidneys can't filter fast enough, triggering water intoxication, or hyponatremia. With your electrolyte balance out of whack due to the large water intake, your kidneys are working overtime and you have put yourself at serious risk of brain swelling, kidney damage, and death.
Those that spend long hours in the sun or participate in intense physical activity are at risk for overdoing it on fluids. Stick to drinking two to four cups of fluid per hour and keep a sports drink such as Gatorade handy to replenish electrolytes.
There are certain medications such as diuretics and antipsychotics that trigger excessive thirst which can lead to too much water consumption. Sufferers of congestive heart failure, liver disease, unmonitored diabetes, and kidney problems retain water more than a healthy individual would and are more at risk for water intoxication.
Signs of water intoxication include:
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty walking
- Muscle cramping or weakness
- Excessive urination
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
With summer in full swing, it's critical to always stay hydrated, but there is such thing as too much. Healthy adults need no more than 64 oz. of water per day. Bear in mind that much of our water intake comes from food, so drinking a half-gallon of water each day is not always called for. For those with compromised kidney function, particularly in the late stages, adhere to the fluid restrictions set by your physician.
An excess of anything can be dangerous, so stay mindful of your water consumption— especially as the temperatures rise this summer.
