Drinking Too Much Water Can Put Patients at Risk

Too much of a good thing can have negative consequences, and that applies to something we drink every day.

Hyponatremia is a condition when the body holds onto too much water and dilutes the amount of sodium in the blood causing levels to be low.

Kathy Sorrells, 70, experienced the condition when she amended a diet designed to keep her diabetes in check.

"I was supposed to be drinking 64 ounces of water a day. I was drinking more like 120 ounces because I've always liked water anyway, but that was a little much," said Sorrell.

It was way too much water, according to Dr. Jane Sadler, a family physician at Baylor Family Medical Center at North Garland.

During a routine visit, Sadler discovered Sorrells' blood sodium had dropped to a dangerously low level.

"If her sodium had dropped anymore, she would have been at high risk for seizures and coma," said Sadler.

Drinking too much water, or over-hydrating the body, leading to low sodium levels can be especially dangerous for people with diabetes or hypertension.

Symptoms range from nausea, lethargy, decreased level of consciousness, headache and possible seizures or coma.

"You can definitely dilute your sodium levels, your potassium and all your electrolytes with too much volume overload, so it’s important to supplement your water with an electrolyte solution," said Sadler.

Kathy added more electrolytes and is now back to her optimal health.

"I’ve always drank a lot of water, but I made myself drink more water, thinking I was doing myself a favor. In fact, I had never heard that I could drink too much water," said Sorrells.