Water Intoxication - "hyponatremia"

Carpe Diem · #1 (**permalink**) February 17th, 2007, 07:22 PM

This is an FYI note not noone in particular - but I have read some posts recently and noticed that there has been some concern about 'drinking too much water'.

I can personally drink up to 7 litres of water a day. On an average day, I'll probably drink around 4 litres. At no stage am I worried about drinking too much, and I just want to lay to rest the concerns of anyone who may consider that their water intake is too much.

I read some articles on the internet - but this was probably the most pertinent for me, I'll cut and paste the main bit, but check the link if you want the chemical explanation (actually quite interesting - but I guess I CAN be a bit of a geek

):

Water Intoxication & Hyponatremia

Quote:

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.

I hope this is interesting for some people!

(Sorry if it's not!!).

CD

Ididit4me · #2 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2007, 05:49 AM

This is very interesting and timely as here in the states a woman died recently from drinking too much water. BUT, the REASON was because she was participating in a radio contest to see who could drink the most without "peeing" (sorry to be vulgar). They drank a lot of water in a short amount of time too.

The goal was that whoever was the last to pee won the prize. So the key is, you can drink a ton of water but you need to allow your body alleviate the fluids that you drink, not hold it in.

So, go ahead and drink, just make sure you have a toilet handy!

heavenlylamb · #3 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2007, 08:08 PM

I experienced "water poisoning" once when I went on a walk through the Olgas near Ayres Rock. It was very hot and I drank lots of water, but because my body was flushing out the salt through perspiration, I got myself into some difficulties. I thought I was dehydrated, so just kept drinking more and I was walking and perspiring.
But once I had some food/ salt, I felt alot better.
I think it has to be fairly extreme conditions before you get into this state, and for me it corrected fairly quickly, although I didn't/ couldn't pee for around 5 hours after the experience.
HL