As summer continues to pass us by, and mercury hits new highs across the country, the emphasis on drinking fluids of varying kinds is evident. But among all this chatter, have you ever heard of someone suffering because of drinking too much water? It is possible. “Overhydration or water intoxication occurs when the concentration of electrolytes in the body, particularly sodium, becomes diluted due to an excessive amount of water,” says Sharanya Shastry, sports and clinical nutritionist-dietitian, at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Bangalore. She tells us that overhydration, also known as hyponatremia, can lead to various health problems, including confusion, seizures, coma, and even demise. To help us further our understanding, she answers important questions, and outlines causes, symptoms, and more.

How much water intake is really required?
Shastry: The recommended daily water intake can vary depending on factors such as age, gender, weight, activity level, and other factors. Generally, (current body weight x 0.036) is the amount of water to be consumed in a day.