Drinking Too Much Water Is Also a Problem

We all get reminders to drink more water, but here are some reminders not to. Too not much. The Wall Street Journal Health experts report growing concern over overhydration (known as water intoxication or hyponatremia in its most severe form), especially as the country experiences more frequent heatwaves. Read more:

• What is water? Water intoxication occurs when you drink too much water in a short period of time. Unlike dehydration, the general public is not familiar with water intoxication and its symptoms. Drinking too much water dilutes the sodium in your blood, which in extreme cases can lead to swelling of brain cells. This pressure on the brain can lead to coma, seizures, and even death.
• how much? Professor Sundar Jalili of the University of Utah said: journal Humans can typically process up to one litre of water per hour. “Drinking more than that puts you at risk of diluting your electrolytes,” he said. While the general rule is to drink water when you’re thirsty, he advises using common sense and taking into account factors like the weather, your body size and the day’s activity.
• Symptoms: WebMD Symptoms of water intoxication include nausea, vomiting, throbbing headache, confusion, lightheadedness and discoloration of the hands, feet and lips, they said.

(Culturally, the trend for large reusable water bottles, like the 40-ounce Stanley Cup, may also be encouraging people to drink more water. For reference, 40 ounces is 1.1 liters.)