Can You Overhydrate?

A Yahoo Health post in Aug. 2013 brings the threat of over-hydration to light. We all know about dehydration but did you know you can drink to much?   Most incidents of over-hydration are with athletes who over drank after practice. And, if you have ever made yourself sweat really good weather it be from working-out or "working" you can see how someone could just chug a bunch water or a few sports drink down without a second thought.     The danger is in drinking to much in a short period of time.    The post in Yahoo Health notes a young man that had died from this had drank 2 gallons of water and 2 gallons of Gatorade,  no mention of the time span in which he drank it.

   Also called water-intoxication,  over-hydration can throw off the balance of water and sodium in your blood. It shifts water into your body's cells, causing the cells to swell and eventually die.   This is most dangerous when it happens in the brain since it has no room to swell because of the skull.     Don't panic, this is rare but we should be aware.

There are two types of over-hydration: increased water intake and retaining water.

• Increased water intake, drinking more water than your kidneys can get rid of in the form of urine.   This can cause too much water to collect in the body.
• Retaining, the body is unable to get rid of excess water. This happens with several medical conditions or medication.

Symptoms of over-hydration in the early stages can include:

• nausea and vomiting
• headache
• changes in mental state (confusion or disorientation)

If left untreated, it can lead to more-severe symptoms, such as:

• muscle weakness, spasms or cramps
• seizures
• unconsciousness
• coma

avoid drinking more than one liter per hour of fluid.  Take steps to avoid the urge to over drink after activity, try drinking before you start and take breaks to during (if you feel the need).  

The thing you should take away is to drink in moderation,  let your thirst and pee tell you how much water you need. No need to over do it because you think you "need it".   If you're not thirsty and have pale yellow pee you are likely getting enough water (it's amazing what you can learn from your pee).