Water Intoxication

[jsj0305]

Hey there everyone. I wanted to pass this website along, and hope that it may help someone. I ALWAYS try to have as little sodium as possible to prevent bloating, and I drink 100 oz of water a day. It was a wake up call, that I do need to have a healthy balance of the two. I hope that someone who does what I DID will learn from this so we can better take care of our bodies.

http://altmedicine.allinfo-about.com...aterintox.html

Enjoy!

[sunflowergrl]

Re: Water Intoxication

Thanks for the info!! I must admit, I need to watch my sodium intake, I LOVE salt!!! Salt and Coffee, two things I am having a hard time tossing out!! You would think cake would be harder (I used to LOVE cake, and I would use any excuse to bake one!!). Its really cool how informed you are!!!

[Super Duper Matt]

Re: Water Intoxication

"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 don't anyone here is going to have a problem with this. Maybe TTdriver but thats it.

[allierw26]

Re: Water Intoxication

I wouldn't worry about it at all! Water intoxication usually only occurs with marathon runners--for example, someone drinking a LARGE amount of water during a long distance run and not being able to use the bathroom along the way. A normal person drinking 1-2 even 3 gallons a day, as long as they have ample opportunity to urinate, is not generally going to suffer water intoxication.

[Analog6]

Re: Water Intoxication

As I understand it, the speed of the drinking is what can do it. I remember one hot summer when I was about 7 I drank a HUGE amount straight from the hose and felt very sick and threw up. The doctor said it was too much water too fast. The article does stress it is the speed of the intake, not the amount that matters.

[presidentholmes]

Re: Water Intoxication

Water intoxication????????????????????????????????

[jsj0305]

Re: Water Intoxication

I do think it's both the amount and the speed in which you drink it.

Basically your body has to have a balance of sodium and water, and if you constantly drink water and don't replenish the sodium that was lost (either by drinking a TON of water or sweating), you COULD run into problems. People who sweat excessivly, such as athletes, lose their sodium and electrolytes faster then we do. If they were to only replenish the water that was lost, and not anything else, this could become an issue. For those of us who are like me and NEVER eat any salt and drink at least 100 oz a day...it is something that we need to be aware about, just so we can make the appropriate adjustments to our diets, if needed.

I'm not trying to say this will happen to those of us who drink a lot of water. Believe me, I'd be doomed!! But it is nice to know that I should be consuming the sodium lost during exercise and drinking a lot of water.

Thanks for reading it

PS, Allie, I didn't think it had to do with urinating. Where did you read that..I missed it! LOL

[allierw26]

Re: Water Intoxication

Lol, I've read up on water intoxication...that article you posted sums it up, but one I read cites how it's more common in marathon runners than it would be in the general population because they drink so much and don't excrete it fast enough...I guess sweating wasn't working fast enough?

[jsj0305]

Re: Water Intoxication

LOL! That's really great to know!!! When I ran my 3 miles in the summer, I ALWAYS have to go, but just hold it! I'm so glad you told me this!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Allie, you're always so great to have around.

[allierw26]

Re: Water Intoxication

Awww, you are too nice, Stephanie!

[Elizellen]

Re: Water Intoxication

I think this is the most important thing to realise if this article worries anyone reading it.

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

NB : 15 litres= over 500 fluid ounces!!