At some point in the last few decades you've probably read, or been told, that you should be drinking 8-glasses of water per day. This comes out to about 2 liters... and that's a lot of water!

Back in 1945, the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences published some dietary guidelines which outlined how much water to consume on a daily basis. Ever since then, the 8 glasses of water myth has been swimming around.

But is it really true?

Before answering this, it's important to know 3 basic things about water and you.

Our bodies are like well-designed machines when it comes to staying hydrated. We have a built-in system called the thirst mechanism that's always looking out for us. It's like an alarm that goes off when we need to drink water.

Imagine your body as a smart home with a water sensor. When this sensor detects that the water level is getting low, it sends a signal to your brain. Your brain then makes you feel thirsty. Thirst is like your body's way of saying, "Hey, it's time to drink some water!"

So, as long as we pay attention to our thirst and drink when we feel it, we won't get dehydrated. It's like having a reminder that keeps us on track to stay properly hydrated and avoid the discomfort of dehydration.

Let's break down why drinking excessive water can cause issues:

First, when you drink a lot of water, your body produces more urine. This means you might have to go to the bathroom more often, even in the middle of the night. If you struggle to fall back asleep after getting up, this can really disrupt your sleep. And the extra trips to the bathroom don't provide any real benefits.

Second, for anyone, but especially for women over 70, drinking too much water can lead to a condition called hyponatremia. This happens when the level of sodium in your blood drops too low. People who take diuretics or certain medications like some types of antidepressants, such as Lexapro, are at a higher risk for hyponatremia.

Hyponatremia occurs because your body loses sodium through the large amount of urine you produce. When your blood's sodium level falls too much, it can lead to feelings of tiredness, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases, even seizures or coma. The normal range for blood sodium is between 135 and 145. If it drops below 130, you might start feeling symptoms, and if it goes below 125 or 120, it can become dangerous.

I often see patients who drink too much water, and it's important to strike a balance between staying hydrated and overdoing it to avoid these problems.

My advice is very simple.

When you are thirsty, drink as much water as you want. And when you are active and sweating profusely, of course, take in extra fluid, whether before, during, or after. Just eliminate the water you are drinking because you “think it is good for you.”

One other caveat: many individuals drink excessive water because of chronic nasal congestion or because of medications that cause a dry mouth. If so, get treatment for your nasal congestion. Hopefully avoid, if possible, long-term treatment with medications that cause a dry mouth. This can ultimately lead to Hyponatremia and a whole slew of additional problems.

My advice is very simple.

When you are thirsty, drink as much water as you want. And when you are active and sweating profusely, of course, take in extra fluid, whether before, during, or after. Just eliminate the water you are drinking because you “think it is good for you.”

One other caveat: many individuals drink excessive water because of chronic nasal congestion or because of medications that cause a dry mouth. If so, get treatment for your nasal congestion. Hopefully avoid, if possible, long-term treatment with medications that cause a dry mouth. This can ultimately lead to Hyponatremia and a whole slew of additional problems.