Drinking too much coffee can cause severe dehydration. Dehydration is a worrisome medical condition that needs to be evaluated by your medical doctor. If you suspect that you're dehydrated, stop drinking coffee, and begin drinking water or sports beverages that contain electrolytes. If you develop other side effects, such as dizziness, feeling jittery, sleeplessness or nervousness, talk to your doctor or stop drinking less coffee. The caffeine in coffee is the cause of its side effects, including dehydration.
What Is Too Much?
The average 8 oz. cup of coffee contains between 102 mg and 200 mg of caffeine, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Researchers at one time professed that caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, could cause you to urinate more than usual, causing you to be at greater risk of becoming dehydrated. More recent studies reported by MayoClinic.com say dehydration is not common from drinking moderate amounts of coffee. If you consume more than 500 mg -- four to seven cups -- of coffee daily, you may become dehydrated.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a side effect and a sign of a caffeine overdose, according to MayoClinic.com. Dehydration occurs when your body depletes more fluid from the body than it needs to function. Common symptoms of dehydration include scant urine output, sunken eyes, dry mouth, lack of tears, lethargy and dry skin, according to PubMed Health. Minor to moderate dehydration will require increased fluid intake and electrolyte replacement beverages. If you're severely dehydrated, you will need to be hospitalized and given intravenous fluids.
Overdose
Because severe dehydration is rare from coffee consumption, if you're dehydrated you may have overdosed on caffeine. Caffeine is a drug that affects your central nervous system. Too much can cause serious reactions. Along with dehydration, you may develop breathing difficulty, dizziness, diarrhea, convulsions, rapid heart rate, fever, vomiting, hallucinations, mental confusion and muscle twitching, according to MedlinePlus. If you suspect you've overdosed on caffeine, call 911 or poison control for medical treatment.
Considerations
Not everyone tolerates caffeine the same way. You may be able to handle more caffeine than another person. If you develop adverse reactions from drinking a single cup of coffee, talk with your doctor about testing for allergies. You may overdose on caffeine without knowing it, because caffeine is also in certain medications, teas and chocolate.
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