Does drinking water make anyone else sick?

nikkijean8
nikkijean8 Posts: 34 Member
edited September 29 in Food and Nutrition
So, this is a question I've been meaning to ask for a long time. I understand that drinking lots of water promotes good health and weight loss, but here is my problem. If I drink a lot of water, I get sick - literally. I get nauseous, salivate a lot, and more often than not, I get a horrific, pounding headache. I can drink a glass of water with a meal and I can even chug a couple bottles of water after a run (if I sweat a lot) without a problem. But, day in and day out, if I were to try and drink a bunch of water all at once, or sip even just 8 cups of water in a day, evenly spaced, I will end up with the mother of all headaches. This is not a recent change, btw. This has happened to me always, ever since I started paying attention to my water intake - about 10 years now,, so it is not related to protein intake or carb intake or working out. The only time I could drink as much water as I wanted was when I was pregnant. :) The only other person I know that this happens to is my twin sister. Interestingly, I can drink milk all day long and never have a problem, but of course, I'd rather not consume quite that many calories. :) Anyway, just wondering if anyone else had ever heard of this or experienced this problem. Thanks!

Replies

  • abellante_0205
    abellante_0205 Posts: 368 Member
    you should talk to a doctor, ive never had this problem. I don't know how to help you, im sorry!
  • melbaby925
    melbaby925 Posts: 613
    Have you seen your doctor about a salt or potassium imbalance? I've never heard of this, except for in extreme situations where too much water intake led to a salt issue and people overdose on water...maybe your levels are different?
  • thenewkarisa
    thenewkarisa Posts: 207
    This may not be anything like your situation but - I get sick from drinking the faucet water... our water table has 3 times the FDA approved amount of Arsenic and I get really bad cramps so I have to drink bottled water... other than that, sounds like a doctor visit
  • kunibob
    kunibob Posts: 608 Member
    Agreed that this sounds like an electrolyte imbalance issue...do you get enough salt/potassium in your diet? The symptoms you describe sound like a mild form of water poisoning. Probably nothing to be concerned about so long as you're staying hydrated, since it's been like that for you for years.
  • bigredhearts
    bigredhearts Posts: 428
    Agreed that this sounds like an electrolyte imbalance issue...do you get enough salt/potassium in your diet? The symptoms you describe sound like a mild form of water poisoning. Probably nothing to be concerned about so long as you're staying hydrated, since it's been like that for you for years.

    ^ this!!! i actually get it too, and i can tell when ive had too much water and not enough salt. sometimes it will happen if when i drink when im thirsty, if i drink to much with little salt, boom! i get a headache...
  • mom2ajnsz
    mom2ajnsz Posts: 18 Member
    try putting something in the water. my stomach get ill from drinking plain water, but if i put a cap full of lemon juice in my 20oz bottle i can get it down with no problem. you can use lemon juice, lime juice or just make a pitcher with citrus slices or cucumber slices and put it in the fridge and fill from there. i would go with bottled or filtered water too. good luck.
  • DrHDLM
    DrHDLM Posts: 43 Member
    Go to your Doctor, you could be having problems with your heart or kidneys. maybe you're eating too much sodium. check yourself.
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    How much water are you drinking? Normally it would take several litres of water to get those symptoms, unless your sodium is extremely low. An electrolite imbalance is also likely.

    Or there are amoebas in your water.
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