From controlling body temperature and flushing out toxins, adequate hydration plays a vital role in our general health and well-being, water is a life essential. However, while dehydration garners significant attention, overhydration, or drinking excessive amounts of water, is a condition that can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.

Although it may sound bizarre since drinking water is said to be the solution for most health related problems it is important to recognize how much water is considered "too much" or the risks involved with being overhydrated can maintain a healthy balance.

What Is Water Intoxication?

Water intoxication, also termed hyperhydration, water poisoning or water toxemia, develops when an individual drinks much more water than the kidney can excrete. The main function of the kidneys in the human body is the processing and excretion of excess water. However, the human kidneys can process only up to 0.8 to 1.0 liters of water at a time. Drinking an amount that exceeds this may overwhelm the kidneys and put the electrolyte balance out of sync in the human body.

Electrolytes, especially sodium, are essential in maintaining fluid balance within and outside cells. Hyponatremia is the condition when sodium levels fall below 135 mmol/L, resulting from excessive water intake. This causes water to shift into cells, swelling them. In the brain, this can cause severe complications, including coma or even death.

Symptoms of Water Intoxication

The symptoms of water intoxication vary from mild to severe. Early symptoms are often similar to dehydration, which makes self-diagnosis challenging. Common symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle cramps or weakness
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Confusion and disorientation

In more serious cases, water intoxication can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, or swelling in the brain. These complications can be fatal if left untreated.

A notable case occurred in 2007 when a woman participating in a water-drinking contest tragically died after consuming nearly two gallons of water in under two hours. More recently, actress Brooke Shields experienced a grand mal seizure attributed to excessive water consumption.

Causes of Water Intoxication

Water intoxication is rare, but certain scenarios can increase the risk:

1. Sporting Events and Endurance Training

These endurance athletes are prone to water intoxication, especially if they drink large amounts of water without replacing lost electrolytes. Hyponatremia usually happens during long races or marathons as individuals mistake fatigue and muscle cramps for dehydration and continue drinking water in excess.

2. Military Training

Overhydration among military personnel is usually due to severe physical activity in extreme environmental conditions. The total number of hyponatremia cases documented from 2007 through 2022 for the active duty in the United States exceeds 1,600, with a note to this problem on exertion-related overhydration.

3. Mental Health Conditions

Compulsive water drinking, known as psychogenic polydipsia, is linked with some mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and psychosis. People with these conditions tend to drink too much water, causing a hazardous electrolyte imbalance.

4. Drug Abuse

Drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy) raise the body temperature and make people thirsty, and at times, some people tend to drink excess water at events like music festivals. MDMA also leads to urine retention, thus exacerbating the dangers of water intoxication.

How Much Water Is Too Much?

The exact amount of water that causes intoxication varies from one person to another. However, drinking more than 1 liter of water per hour for several hours raises the risk. For healthy individuals, the risk of overhydration is low unless taking part in extreme physical activity or ignoring thirst cues.

Certain medical conditions, such as kidney or liver disorders, can impair the body's ability to process fluids, and even moderate water intake may be harmful. Similarly, certain medications, such as diuretics and antipsychotics, can affect the perception of thirst or fluid regulation.

How Much Water Is Enough?

The widely touted recommendation of eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day has little basis in fact. According to the National Academy of Medicine, a daily total fluid intake is about 15 cups (3.7 liters) for males and 11 cups (2.7 liters) for females, from beverage sources and from food. Usually, about 20 percent of daily hydration comes from foods such as fruits and vegetables.

A better rule of thumb is to listen to your body and drink water based on thirst. Use the color of your urine as an indicator:

• Light yellow urine indicates proper hydration.
• Dark yellow urine may indicate dehydration.

Older adults, whose thirst mechanisms may decline with age, should be proactive about maintaining hydration, especially during illness or hot weather.

Water Intoxication vs. Dehydration

The symptoms of water intoxication—such as headaches, fatigue, and muscle weakness—are similar to those of dehydration. If you are unsure which condition you are experiencing, seek medical attention immediately rather than self-treating with more water.

Preventing Water Intoxication

To avoid the dangers of overhydration:

• Drink water gradually throughout the day rather than consuming large amounts at once.
• Replace lost electrolytes post high-intensity exercise or heavy sweating.
• Consider using sports drinks or salty snacks to help replenish sodium.
• Keep track of fluid consumption during long-duration activities, and do not consume more water than the body is losing in terms of electrolytes.
• If on medications or have specific medical conditions, check with your doctor regarding the safety of drinking water.

For signs of severe water intoxication-including confusion, drowsiness, seizures, and loss of consciousness-customer is advised to seek medical assistance immediately. In the meanwhile, a salty snack would help to temporarily correct low sodium levels.

Hydration is important to health, but overhydration can be a serious risk; the secret is in finding a balance. Drink enough water to satisfy your body, but not so much that it overwhelms your system. Remember, water is life, but moderation keeps it that way.

Hyponatremia (low sodium level in the blood). National Kidney Foundation. 2023.

Water Toxicity. NIH. 2023

Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia: 2017 Update. Front Med (Lausanne). 2017

Update: Exertional Hyponatremia Among Active Component Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 2007–2022

It is a common belief that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)—formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)—is primarily associated with diet, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity. However, there are other factors as well that affect this aspect. Post-menopausal women experience a significantly higher incidence and faster progression of fatty liver disease, even when maintaining a stable body weight.

In Pre-menopausal women, estrogen plays a central role in metabolism by promoting healthy fat accumulation in subcutaneous tissue (below the skin) rather than around internal organs; it also increases insulin sensitivity and suppresses liver inflammation.

After menopause, when estrogen levels drop, this protective function is lost; there is redistribution of fat leading to more fat accumulation around internal organs, including the liver, thus leading to increased chances of NAFLD and also increasing insulin resistance. Needless to say, with age, our metabolic rate also goes down, which also plays a role in this.

The important part lies not only in understanding the above but in going further in early detection and prevention of menopause associated NAFLD. As we know, fatty liver is a silent disease and often does not cause any signs and symptoms till a very advanced stage.

First and foremost is to change lifestyle with advancing age, changing both the dietary habits and physical activity. Regular screening and monitoring are warranted with blood tests, routine metabolic panels, keeping a tab on weight, sugar, and cholesterol levels, and a basic ultrasound of the abdomen. For someone already diagnosed with second or third stage fatty liver, a simple non-invasive FibroScan can help monitor and assess the response to treatment.

Coming to the treatment part of NAFLD in post-menopausal women, being primarily a lifestyle disease, the core of management also lies in managing lifestyle. Medicines are available for treating and controlling NAFLD in conjunction with lifestyle management. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), when initiated early in post-menopausal women for symptomatic relief, may offer secondary benefits by maintaining metabolic health. However, HRT should always be initiated after proper evaluation and expert guidance.

NAFLD is a silent epidemic and primarily a lifestyle disease; knowing about it and knowing the triggering and precipitating factors helps with understanding and prevention better. Menopause, being a natural biological phenomenon in every female’s life, makes it essential for us to know how it affects our liver health and overall health as well.

Being aware of personal and family cancer risk may be a critical component in women's knowledge and empowerment to make appropriate screening, prevention and treatment decisions.

Cancer treatment is fast evolving. Doctors are now focusing more on the person than the location or type of cancer and are considering the personal attributes of the patient and the disease. Genetic/genomic testing can complement this and can offer something more that could inform personalised cancer care.

Genetic testing: Knowing your inherited risk

Genetic testing screens for changes in the genes that could be passed down from parents. Some genetic mutations passed down from parents can make a woman more likely to get breast or ovarian cancer.

Having such a genetic change does not mean that a woman will develop cancer. This information will help her and her doctor discuss screening, monitoring and preventive action (if applicable) to reduce her risk.

This information may be useful for family members who could be at risk and should talk to their health care provider about their own risk.

Genomic testing: Understanding the cancer better

There is a difference between genetic testing and genomic testing. Genetic testing is usually performed on blood or saliva to look for inherited changes or genetic predisposition. Genomic testing is usually performed on the tumour or blood to identify its molecular features to enable better understanding of its biology and biomarkers.

Cancer is not one disease and even two patients with the same type of cancer can have different biological characteristics, which can help doctors decide on the treatment and options that may be suitable for an individual patient.

Genomic testing could help to pinpoint features of a tumour that can be used to consider particular targeted treatments or other methods. But not all of them will be suitable or available to all patients based on the results of testing.

Why Awareness About Health Issues Is Important

For women, knowing their family history and discussing any concerns with a doctor can be an important starting point. Genetic or genomic testing should not be done simply because it is available. A specialist may recommend testing based on factors such as family history, age at diagnosis and the type of cancer involved.

It is also important to understand test results correctly. Genetic counselling and discussions with an oncology specialist can help women understand what their results mean and what they do not mean.

Ultimately, genetic and genomic testing is not about predicting the future with certainty. It is about giving patients and doctors more information to make better-informed decisions.

As cancer care moves towards greater personalisation, the freedom to know your risk can become a powerful part of taking control of your health—helping women move from fear and uncertainty towards awareness, informed choices and personalised care.

(Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead, Medical & Precision Oncology, Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Center)

World Mosquito Day, observed on August 20, raises awareness about mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya and the health risks they pose.

Among these diseases, dengue remains a major public health concern, affecting people across regions worldwide throughout the year.

Dengue Cases: The Latest Numbers

• Global: More than 1.5 million dengue cases and over 500 dengue-related deaths have been reported globally since the beginning of 2026, as of July 31.
• Americas: 1,373,756 cases had been reported as of epidemiological week 26, updated July 23. Of these, 28.9% were laboratory-confirmed, according to WHO PAHO.
• South-East Asia: WHO SEARO bulletins published in June and July reported dengue in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste since July 2025.
• India: 22,938 cases had been reported in 2026 as of June. June recorded 6,625 cases, up from 3,747 in May — a 77% increase.

Also read: India’s First Approved Dengue Vaccine: Takeda’s QDENGA Protects Against All Four Virus Serotypes

Why Can Dengue Affect the Kidneys?

Dengue is typically associated with high fever, joint pain, and low platelet counts. However, severe dengue can affect the kidneys and lead to acute kidney injury (AKI).

Speaking to HealthandMe, nephrologists said kidney problems may not always cause symptoms early on, making monitoring particularly important in severe dengue.

Dr. Anupam Roy, Additional Director - Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Aakash Healthcare Multi-Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, said that recovering from dengue requires careful fluid management, particularly in severe cases.

It is because the kidneys regulate fluids and electrolytes, and changes in circulation caused by dengue can temporarily disrupt their function.

Fever, vomiting, and poor fluid intake can cause dehydration, while severe dengue can cause plasma leakage. Both too little and too much fluid can create problems, making medical supervision important. In hospital, healthcare professionals monitor urine output and signs of dehydration, particularly in patients with complications or underlying health conditions.

After the acute phase, patients should gradually resume eating and drinking according to medical advice. Excessive fluid intake and self-medication should be avoided, particularly when medicines could place additional stress on the kidneys.

“So, it is the quantity issue that must be tackled,” Dr. Roy said.

Signs of Kidney Problems

Read More: Dengue Serotypes Shifting In Young Adults: How India's Indigenous Vaccine Could Help Prevent Severe Disease

According to Dr. Manoj Arora, Consultant Nephrologist, NephroPlus, a network of dialysis centers, warning signs include:

• Decreased urination
• Swelling of the face or legs
• Dark or foamy urine
• Increased blood pressure
• Unusual tiredness
• Nausea
• Breathing problems

Some symptoms can overlap with severe dengue, including continuous vomiting, severe stomach pain, and bleeding.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Kidney injury is more likely in people with severe dengue or shock. Older people and those with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or existing kidney problems may also face higher risk.

Seek medical attention for a drastic reduction in urine, new swelling, blood in the urine, worsening breathlessness, confusion, or continuous vomiting.

In hospitalized patients, monitoring is important when creatinine rises, electrolyte levels fluctuate — particularly potassium — or urine output continues to change.

How Can Kidney Damage Be Prevented?

Early recognition and appropriate management are key. Doctors may monitor:

• Fluid balance
• Urine output
• Kidney function
• Electrolyte levels
• Potentially harmful medications

Do not self-medicate or increase fluid intake without medical advice, particularly during severe dengue.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Dengue

Reducing mosquito exposure and preventing mosquito breeding can help lower the risk of dengue.

• Eliminate stagnant water
• Use mosquito repellents
• Use bed nets
• Keep mosquitoes out
• Wear protective clothing
• Check your surroundings regularly.