Elite athletes are well aware of the dangers of dehydration. That’s why they drink a lot of water and other fluids when exercising intensely for long periods of time.
They are rarely warned about the risks of overhydration. Athletes who drink even when they are not thirsty may disrupt the body’s capacity to maintain electrolyte balance.
When sodium levels in the blood drop too low, hyponatremia can become a life-threatening emergency. Symptoms of overhydration can include nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, disorganized thinking and seizures.
Experts recommend that thirst is a good guide for healthy people to know when they need more fluids. Older adults may not be able to rely on thirst alone as a reliable guide, but they too should take care not to drink so much that their electrolyte balance is upset.
