How much water is too much?

[tall cool one]

I do understand that most of America is chronicly dehydrated. I believe I was chronicly dehydrated for many years as well.

Over the last several years, before I went on WW, I gained a nickname from my beer drinking buddies of "Hollow Leg" because of my ability to go long periods of time while drinking beer without, well you know. I used to think it was because I had a large bladder. Instead, I think it was because I wasn't consuming enough water.

I also believe that a person needs to replenish their fluids while doing manual labor or exercise as much as possible along with a fair amount of water for the rest of the day.

What I am concerned with are people who drink well over a gallon of water a day on a continual basis without exercising enough to really warrent that kind of water consumption. I have no medical proof that someone can consume "too much" water and like I said earlier, I believe most people do not drink enough water.

I am not writing this to criticize people who drink mass quantities of water to lose weight. I am writing this to see if there is any evidence out there that drinking too much can cause problems with kidneys, stomach, urinary track, etc.

Just wondering?

[plcm111195]

Hey, tall cool one. I have some of the same concerns. I'm one of those people who drink a lot of water every day. I do exercise but not a huge amount. I drink between 1 and 2 gallons of water every day. Not to lose weight, but just because I'm thirsty and think it's better for me than diet soda. I've been checked out by my Dr. as she hasn't found any problems with it. I'd be interested if anyone has found any evidence of problems.

BTW, your hollow leg story reminded me of when I went to a hockey game a few years back and a guy said he should marry me cause I went through the entire game without "going" while my friends all had to go each intermission. :D

[kkaple]

I know that when people use ecstacy, they often feel like they are constantly dehydrated and I have seen reports in which people in this condition have literally drown themselves by drinking more water than their bodies can handle. We are talking like gallons of water in one sitting. Throughout the day, though, I think that one could safely consume a gallon or more of water with regular activity. Just something I read somewhere.

Kristin

[youngfrankenstein]

There is something called "water intoxication". I can't really say I will ever have that problem. And here's something you didn't want to know about me...when I drink too much water at one time it affects my digestive system. Strange, but true.

Try this: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/42/1671_51282.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}

[JennyTN]

In Runner's World Magazine a couple of months ago, this issue was brought up. Apparently there was a marathon runner that died during a marathon due to over-hydration. The whole article was saying to find a balance. Too little water can be detrimental, but too much water can be as well.

[CW]

It is possible to get too much? Yes, but pretty hard to do. The gross way to check your intake is to check the color of your urine. If its clear you most likely had had enough. The darker it is the more water you need.

But, can you over do it? Yes, but I think you would notice the gills growing on your neck first. :D

Seriously, check with your doctor. It doesn't hurt to have their opinion.
:cool:
CW

[SSKatie]

Thanks for that info, Amy! smile.gif

[latebloomer]

My MD told me people need 1/2 oz. for every lb. they weigh, if they are sleeping all day in a cool room. Activity and heat makes it go up from there. So I think a gallon if you are at all active or in heat would not harm most people. Another thing he said was when you are losing weight, expelling toxins that are stored in fat, urine might be cloudy but not darker in color. Sometimes people dring a lot of water because they notice the cloudiness, and they think they need more water. I drink about 96 oz. of water a day plus another 32 oz. in milk, juice, crystal light. So I am at one gallon and 148 lbs. I sleep 7 or 8 hours before I have to get up to go and for me THAT is the real test!

[latebloomer]

Uhmm...could I rephrase "in heat" to "out in the heat"????

[Tigerkitty]

HI

I read in Prevention magazine a few years ago that you should drink half your body weight in ounces of water.

So if you weigh 150 lbs you should be drinking about 75 oz in water just to lubricate your body. and if your active they say to drink 8 oz before 8 oz during and 8 oz after to replenish what you've sweated out.

It's always a good idea to check with your doctor for any health questions, though.

Hope this is of help. :D