Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Water? I Tennessee Valley Urology Center

The widely circulated recommendations about how much water you should drink vary significantly, from “only drink when you’re thirsty” to specific and sometimes very high numbers of ounces. All that can leave people confused and anxious about whether they’re getting the right amount.

The truth is, there isn’t one set rule that’s right for every person in every situation.

One day you may need more water because you’re working outside in the hot sun, while the next day spent on the couch may lower your hydration threshold. Or you may be on a medication that’s likely to cause you to need to increase or decrease your water intake.

While a doctor or dietitian can help, many people don’t realize they should talk with a medical professional and instead try to tackle the confusion themselves with a “more is better” mindset. While it’s true it’s important you get enough water, it’s also true that guzzling it can have effects as harmful and dramatic as those dehydration can cause.

While the reality is dehydration is far more common, the risks of hyperhydration, also called overhydration and water intoxication, are very real for those who go too big in their intake goals.

The Risks of Hyperhydration

Whether your water intake is too great in the short-term or the long-term, it can have negative impacts on your blood sodium levels. If you’ve ever gotten a hypertension warning from your doctor this may come as a surprise, but the body needs sodium for functions such as transmitting nerve impulses and controlling muscles.

The effects of having too little sodium in your system, called hyponatremia, can be serious and it may even lead to death.

Drinking large amounts of water can also be harmful for those with kidney failure, also called end-stage kidney disease. The condition can rob the kidneys of their ability to serve as the body’s water-balance command centers, which means they don’t concentrate and excrete enough water.

As a result, doctors typically recommend lower water intake thresholds for those on dialysis.

The Bottom Line

The human body is more than 60% water, so it’s obviously an important part of maintaining good health. That’s why it’s important to not just take the advice of random people on social media or go along with generic recommendations.

Talk to your doctor about your specific water intake needs. This is especially important if you have or develop a specific health condition that may change your ideal threshold.

The board-certified urologists at Tennessee Valley Urology Center can help you ensure you’re getting the proper amount of water and taking other necessary steps to protect your health.