8 Signs You're Drinking Too Much Water
We are constantly reminded that drinking
enough water is vital for our bodies to function properly. And this true
– unless you drink too much of it. Though most of us worry about
getting dehydrated, over-hydration is just as dangerous.
Drinking too much water can result in water intoxication, also known as
hyponatremia, which causes the inside of cells to flood due to
abnormally low sodium levels in your blood. In severe cases, this can
lead to debilitating health problems such as comas, seizures, and even
death.
Below are 8 signs that you’re drinking too much water.
1. You Never Leave the House Without a Bottle of Water and Constantly
Have One in Hand
If you carry around a water bottle all day
and immediately refill it when it’s empty, you might be drinking too
much water. Constantly adding water to your body will result in low
sodium levels in your blood, which can cause all the cells in your body
to swell. According to Tamara Hew-Butler, DPM, PhD, an exercise science
professor at Oakland University, this is particularly dangerous when
your brain starts to swell. “Your brain can only swell about 8-10%
before it reaches your skull and it pushes your brain stem out.”
2. You Drink Water Even When You’re Not Thirsty
The best way to know whether your body actually needs more water is to
be consciously aware of whether or not you feel thirsty. “Our bodies are
so programmed to fight against dehydration because we’ve always been
living in fear of scarcity or not having enough, so we have all these
built-in mechanisms to protect us against that. One of these mechanisms
that all animals have is thirst. Thirst is everybody’s individual
monitor that lets them know if they need more. The more water you need,
the thirstier you get,” Dr. Hew-Butler.
3. You Continuously Drink Water Until Your Urine is Clear
If you’ve been drinking a healthy amount of
water, the color of your urine should be straw-colored to transparent
yellow. Though most people believe that clear urine is the healthiest
sign of hydration, having urine with no pigmentation at all may be a
sign that you’re drinking too much water. For most people, 8-10 glasses
of water per day is considered a normal amount.
4. You Urinate Frequently, Including During the Night
You might be drinking too much water if you find that you often wake up
in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Most of us urinate
between 8-10 times a day, so if you find yourself urinating more than 10
times per day, you’re probably drinking more water than your body
needs. To prevent nighttime urination, have your last glass of water a
few hours before bed to give your kidneys time to filter the water
through your body.
5. You Feel Nauseous and May Experience Vomiting
The symptoms of overhydration are similar
to those of dehydration, says Hew Butler. When you drink too much water,
your kidneys are unable to get rid of the excess liquid and water
starts to collect in the body. This can cause a range of unpleasant
symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
6. You Notice Swelling or Discoloration in Your Hands, Lips, and Feet
In many cases of hyponatremia, people will experience noticeable
swelling or discoloration in the hands, feet, and lips. When all the
cells in your body start to swell, your skin will start to swell as
well. Those who drink too much water may suddenly gain weight, due to
swelling and excess water in the bloodstream. If you’re drinking more
than 10 cups of water per day and notice swelling or discoloration in
your hands, feet, and lips, consider cutting back on your water intake.
7. You Feel Tired or Fatigued
Your kidneys are the organs responsible for
filtering the water you drink and making sure that your fluid levels in
the bloodstream stay balanced. When you consume too much water, your
kidneys have to work a lot harder, creating a stressful reaction from
your hormones that leaves your body fatigued and stressed. Therefore, if
you’re constantly drinking water and find yourself struggling to get
out of bed, it might be because you’ve added unneeded stress to your
kidneys.
8. Your Muscles Feel Weak and Cramp Easily
Having a healthy and fully-functioning body is all about balance. When
you consume too much water, your electrolyte levels drop and that
balance is compromised. Low electrolyte levels can cause a number of
unpleasant symptoms, such as muscle spasms and cramping. You can help
prevent muscle problems by replacing a couple of glasses of water with
coconut water, which is full of electrolytes and 100% natural.