Signs You're Drinking Too Much Water

You probably already know the pitfalls of drinking too much alcohol or too much soda, but what you may not know is that you can also drink too much water. While it seems counterintuitive since water is, after all, necessary to stay alive, the adage holds true: you can have too much of a good thing.

According to Mayo Clinic, women need an average of 11.5 cups of fluids each day, while men require 15.5. While not all of those liquids have to be water, you shouldn't overdo it on sweet beverages. If you aren't sure if you're staying hydrated, ask yourself if you're feeling thirsty a lot. If the answer is "no," you're probably fine. You can also check your urine — if it's clear or a pale yellow, your fluid intake is fine.

While not drinking enough water is a more common problem than drinking too much, overhydration does happen — and it can be dangerous. Your kidneys can only flush out so much water and if you're drinking excessively, this could lead to a life-threatening condition called hyponatremia.

Per Mayo Clinic, hyponatremia is characterized by the sodium levels in your blood being "diluted." While it's unlikely for people to drink too much water, athletes are more prone to doing this simply from being overzealous in their attempts to stay hydrated while working out. Per Healthline, those with liver, kidney disease, or heart failure are also more likely to experience overhydration.

So, how do you know if you're drinking too much water? One sign is that you're drinking significantly more than the recommended fluid intake. Symptoms of drinking too much include nausea, vomiting, and feelings of confusion and disorientation.

More severe signs of being overhydrated include cramps or spasms in your muscles or your muscles feeling week. You might also have a seizure or pass out. If you think you might be drinking too much water, consult your doctor who can recommend a course of treatment.