What happens to kidneys when overhydrated?
Your body takes what it needs and gets rid of the rest in the form of urine. When your kidneys don't work, wastes can build up. And in the case of overhydration, important electrolytes can be diluted too much. Too much fluid can also put a strain on your kidneys.
How do the kidneys respond to an increased intake of water?
If water is in excess, ADH levels are reduced limiting the amount of water resorbed back into the blood but increasing the volume eliminated in the urine. If you drink a pint or so of fluid you will notice that within an hour your urine volume will increase and the excess water will therefore be eliminated.
How does the body deal with overhydration?
When overhydration occurs quickly, vomiting and trouble with balance develop. If overhydration worsens, confusion, seizures, or coma may develop. When overhydration occurs and blood volume is normal, the excess water usually moves into the cells, and tissue swelling (edema) does not occur.
What happens when the kidneys remove too much water?
Lack of a hormone called antidiuretic hormone (ADH) can cause the kidneys to get rid of too much fluid. This results in extreme thirst and dehydration.