Water Crazy

mafafa_yeye

Is it true you can get sick from drinking too much water because when i am on a diet i tend to drink a lot of water

mafafa_yeye

Is it true you can get sick from drinking too much water because when i am on a diet i tend to drink a lot of water

Umeboshi

Yes, It's called Hyponatremia.

Here's what About.com says about it.

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Question: Can You Drink Too Much Water?

Answer: You've probably heard that it's important to 'drink plenty of fluids' or simply 'drink lots of water'. There are excellent reasons for drinking water, but have you ever wondered if it's possible to drink too much water. Here's what you need to know:

Can You Really Drink Too Much Water?

In a word, yes. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes. A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been diluted too much. Athletes can also suffer from water intoxication. Athletes sweat heavily, losing both water and electrolytes. Water intoxication and hyponatremia result when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes.

What Happens During Water Intoxication?

When too much water enters the body's cells, the tissues swell with the excess fluid. Your cells maintain a specific concentration gradient, so excess water outside the cells (the serum) draws sodium from within the cells out into the serum in an attempt to re-establish the necessary concentration. As more water accumulates, the serum sodium concentration drops -- a condition known as hyponatremia. The other way cells try to regain the electrolyte balance is for water outside the cells to rush into the cells via osmosis. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from higher to lower concentration is called osmosis. Although electrolytes are more concentrated inside the cells than outside, the water outside the cells is 'more concentrated' or 'less dilute' since it contains fewer electrolytes. Both electrolytes and water move across the cell membrane in an effort to balance concentration. Theoretically, cells could swell to the point of bursting.

From the cell's point of view, water intoxication produces the same effects as would result from drowning in fresh water. Electrolyte imbalance and tissue swelling can cause an irregular heartbeat, allow fluid to enter the lungs, and may cause fluttering eyelids. Swelling puts pressure on the brain and nerves, which can cause behaviors resembling alcohol intoxication. Swelling of brain tissues can cause seizures, coma and ultimately death unless water intake is restricted and a hypertonic saline (salt) solution is administered. If treatment is given before tissue swelling causes too much cellular damage, then a complete recovery can be expected within a few days.

It's Not How Much You Drink, It's How Fast You Drink It!

The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen liters of water a day! You are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication, even if you drink a lot of water, as long as you drink over time as opposed to intaking an enormous volume at one time. As a general guideline, most adults need about three quarts of fluid each day. Much of that water comes from food, so 8-12 eight ounce glasses a day is a common recommended intake. You may need more water if the weather is very warm or very dry, if you are exercising, or if you are taking certain medications. The bottom line is this: it's possible to drink too much water, but unless you are running a marathon or an infant, water intoxication is a very uncommon condition.

BxMom

From several online medical resources, I hope this helps

The average person can consume up to 15 liters of water in a 24-hour period, but drinking too much, too quickly can swell brain cells and cause head pressure.

Symptoms of fluid overload include a gradual mental dulling, drowsiness, weakness, confusion, coma, convulsions and death.

Excessive fluid intake can be dangerous because:
It can cause pulmonary edema, a condition where water enters the lungs.
It can dilute the electrolytes in your blood and cause low blood-sodium levels (hyponatremia).
Excessive urination can flush out essential electrolytes, minerals and other compounds

alf1163

I'm no expert...but I think only if you gulp too much in one sitting and your body is not used to that much water...remember the case of the mom who wanted to win a Wii for her kids in Sacramento? The radio station had a contest who could drink water the most and she drank lots of it and died...so sad...the radio station got sued and of course the ones that came up with that challenge were fired...

I have been drinking lots of water for a long time. It varies but on average I drink about 120oz a day throughout the day. Today I had 144oz...the other day I had 168 oz. 8 cups of water a day wont cut it for me. I drink that much by 11am!!! If you exercise and live in warm climate you definitely need more than 8 cups a day.

Do your own research and decide for yourself. Take care!!! :flowerforyou:

Fitness_Chick

I'm no expert...but I think only if you gulp too much in one sitting and your body is not used to that much water...remember the case of the mom who wanted to win a Wii for her kids in Sacramento? The radio station had a contest who could drink water the most and she drank lots of it and died...so sad...the radio station got sued and of course the ones that came up with that challenge were fired...

I have been drinking lots of water for a long time. It varies but on average I drink about 120oz a day throughout the day. Today I had 144oz...the other day I had 168 oz. 8 cups of water a day wont cut it for me. I drink that much by 11am!!! If you exercise and live in warm climate you definitely need more than 8 cups a day.

Do your own research and decide for yourself. Take care!!! :flowerforyou:

:drinker: Hello my water drinkin buddy!

alf1163

FC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :flowerforyou: