As it just so happens, too much water can actually kill you.

CBS News reported the case of marathon runner Frederic Lecao who took extreme measures in avoiding cramps and staying hydrated.

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"I was literally taking a sip every five minutes," Lecao said when he drank almost 13 cups of water in the middle of his marathon.

However, his race took a sharp turn when his body had "shut down." He then recalled the moment when he was on the ground, "screaming in pain."

What Lecao experienced is an illness called exercise-associated hyponatremia, which has killed more than 14 athletes who have drank too much water during training or the actual games, according to a study from Loyola University Health System.

A person might experience nausea, become lightheaded, and immediately gain weight during this illness. If severe, vomiting, agitation or delirium, or seizure might happen to the patient. This can even lead coma or death.

Experts all over the world advice that in order to avoid this condition, everyone should simply drink water only when their thirsty.

The Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine stated that "Using the innate thirst mechanism to guide fluid consumption is a strategy that should limit drinking in excess and developing hyponatremia while providing sufficient fluid to prevent excessive dehydration."

Athletes are the most common victims of this condition, according to the study, as they are often prescribed to drink more fluids in order to avoid muscle pains, fatigue, or heat stroke.

However, physician James Winger said that dehydration does not involve muscle cramps and heat stroke. In fact, heat stroke is primarily caused by "producing too much heat."

Another extreme case of drinking too much water was reported by Mirror when a 79-year-old man had suffered complications because of excessive amount of liquid intake after his routine operations.

James Hartley died from multiple organ failure from sespsis and brain injury after being given too much water during his stay at the Yorkshire Clinic in Bingley, West Yorkshire.

Aside from drinking only when thirsty, everyone is advised to keep in mind that only 2 liters or eight to ten cups of water is acceptable per day.

TagsHealth news, drinking water, hyponatremia, James Hartley, heatstroke