Drinking too much water can endanger the health of some people.
Overhydration can lead to some potentially serious health problems. If you become overhydrated, you can develop abnormally high acid content in your body's tissues and in your blood. You may also become anemic or hemorrhage. You can become cyanotic, which means your oxygen levels drop too low. If you overhydrate rapidly, you may become confused, develop seizures and go into a coma. If your overhydration is more gradual, you may experience additional symptoms, including sudden weight gain and blurred vision.
Medical Conditions
Overhydration is normally not a problem when your body's systems are healthy and functioning correctly. If your kidneys do not excrete urine as they should, though, overhydration is a risk. This is the result of heart and liver conditions that cause your kidneys to malfunction. When this happens, your doctor will tell you to limit your water intake so you do not put yourself at the risk of drinking so much water that electrolyte imbalances inside your body develop. Your body's balance of water and electrolytes is delicate. If you suffer from a medical condition that predisposes your body to retaining water, the level of sodium in your blood can fall to dangerously low levels, states the "Merck Manual Home Health Handbook."
Prematurity
A premature baby is at an especially high risk of becoming overhydrated if she is given too many intravenous fluids, according to the "Merk Manual." If this should happen, her kidneys cannot handle the amount of fluid she is receiving. Even an infant born at full term is "susceptible" to overhydration in her first month after birth for the same reason -- her kidneys can't filter too much fluid in a short amount of time. For this reason, very young infants don't need anything more than formula or breast milk unless it is very hot outside. Even then, you should be careful giving supplemental water, feeding it to your baby slowly and in small amounts, states the Faq.org website.
Pituitary Gland Disorder
If your pituitary gland is not functioning correctly, it may release too much anti-diuretic hormone, causing your body to retain, rather than excrete, excess water. When this happens, too much of this hormone is secreted, which forces your kidneys to hold on to water even though your body does not need it, states the "Merck Manual Home Health Handbook." If you find yourself becoming overhydrated and you have not been drinking excessive amounts of sports drinks or water, speak to your doctor and let her know what is happening to you.
Psychogenic Polydipsia
The person who suffers from a psychiatric disorder called psychogenic polydipsia is compelled to drink much more water than her body needs. Generally, the patient is not thirsty. Instead, because of her psychiatric issues, she cannot stop drinking water even when her body is already hydrated. In children who have been exposed to an emotional trauma, this disorder can develop, writes the GPNotebook website.
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