How much is Too Much?
According to figures quoted in a 2013 study, the kidneys can eliminate about 20–28 liters of water a day, but they can remove no more than 0.8 to 1.0 liters every hour.
The authors of the study report that hyponatremia symptoms can develop if a person drinks 3–4 liters of water in a short period, though they do not give a specific time estimate.
When You Drink Too much Water
- headaches
- nausea
- vomiting
Drinking too much water can increase pressure inside the skull.
Water intoxication is rare, and it is very difficult to consume too much water accidentally, but is most common among athletes. It happens when a persons drink a lot of water without accounting for electrolyte loss.