Is too much water is Good for health ?

What is overhydration?

All of the major systems of your body depend on water to work properly. Drinking sufficient amounts of water helps your body to :

• regulate temperature
• prevent constipation
• flush out waste products
• perform all major bodily functions

Most people, especially those who exercise in hot weather, are more concerned about not drinking enough water. However, drinking too much water can also be dangerous.

Overhydration can lead to water intoxication. This occurs when the amount of salt and other electrolytes in your body become too diluted. Hyponatremia is a condition in which sodium (salt) levels become dangerously low. This is the main concern of overhydration.

If your electrolytes drop too low too quickly, it can be fatal. Death by overhydration is rare, but it can happen.

What are the symptoms of overhydration?

You may not recognize symptoms of overhydration in its early stages. As the condition progresses, common symptoms include:

• nausea and vomiting
• headache
• changes in mental state such as confusion or disorientation.

Untreated overhydration can lead to dangerously low levels of sodium in your blood. This can cause more severe symptoms, such as:

• Muscle weakness, spams, or cramps
• seizures
• unconsciousness
• coma

How is overhydration diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your medical history to find out if your symptoms are caused by overhydration or another condition. The doctor will also perform a physical examination, and they may go for blood and urine tests.

How is overhydration treated?

How you’re treated for overhydration depends on how severe your symptoms are and what caused the condition. Treatments may include:

• cutting back on your fluid intake
• taking diuretic to increase the amount of urine you produce
• treating the condition that caused the overhydration
• stopping any medications causing the problem
• replacing sodium in severe cases