Too much water??
- Thread starter RhiannonW
- Start date
The report I read in the newspaper within the last two weeks cited endurance athletes and dieters could get into trouble if they drank too much water. Water intoxification.
Basically when you sweat heavily you lose potassium and sodium if you replace with plain water eventually your blood doesn't have those nutrients and your brain begins to swell.
Dieters will run into trouble as sometimes they aren't getting all of the nutrients they need to begin with.
The study said to drink when thirsty.
I do some long distance backpacking I always check the color of my urine, dark means I need more water just clear means I've got enough, then I drink when thirsty.
Basically when you sweat heavily you lose potassium and sodium if you replace with plain water eventually your blood doesn't have those nutrients and your brain begins to swell.
Dieters will run into trouble as sometimes they aren't getting all of the nutrients they need to begin with.
The study said to drink when thirsty.
I do some long distance backpacking I always check the color of my urine, dark means I need more water just clear means I've got enough, then I drink when thirsty.
There's actually been a lot of controversy over this topic, and all the evidence is not yet in. But, yes, too much water can be fatal in some circumstances. On the other hand, most Americans probably drink too little water.
Here's a news story with one point of view:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s904374.htm
(I just read an article on this yesterday, on msn.com, but can't find it this morning.)
B
Here's a news story with one point of view:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s904374.htm
(I just read an article on this yesterday, on msn.com, but can't find it this morning.)
B
Author
Cathlete
I read the news story just for info and have this to say about it:
1) Newspapers deal in controversy and trauma
2) Water is essential for all living things -- get the book, YOUR BODY'S MANY CRIES FOR WATER and read it cover to cover -- including the section on salt.
3) The instance of an athelete dying due to drinking too much liquid is interesting in that it makes you think she died from drinking water, when in fact, she had ingested a sports drink -- different kind of animal -- water and a sports drink are not identical drinks -- and are only similar because they are liquid. Other than that, they are DIFFERENT. One, water, is necessary for life, the other, a sports drink, contains usually much, much sugar or if not sugar, artifical sweetners, which are chemicals that have some pretty bad side effects. But like I said, news is all about controversy and trauma. At least in this society at this time.
1) Newspapers deal in controversy and trauma
2) Water is essential for all living things -- get the book, YOUR BODY'S MANY CRIES FOR WATER and read it cover to cover -- including the section on salt.
3) The instance of an athelete dying due to drinking too much liquid is interesting in that it makes you think she died from drinking water, when in fact, she had ingested a sports drink -- different kind of animal -- water and a sports drink are not identical drinks -- and are only similar because they are liquid. Other than that, they are DIFFERENT. One, water, is necessary for life, the other, a sports drink, contains usually much, much sugar or if not sugar, artifical sweetners, which are chemicals that have some pretty bad side effects. But like I said, news is all about controversy and trauma. At least in this society at this time.
There was a time that I was drinking a lot of water and I felt dizzy. I thought that I was drinking so much water that food nutrients where getting flushed. But it can be contamination of the water, etc. Anyway, I avoid drinking that much now. I think by that time I was drinking about three galons per day.
You can drink too much water. What Dave is saying is that you can drink too much water, you dilute your blood in circulation. Then the electrolyte ratio of your blood to your intracellular electrolytes is too low. You can go into a coma, have muscle twitches, have elevated blood pressure etc...
As a matter of fact, we had a case here in Dallas where an SMU pledge was forced to drink a lot of water in a short while & he develpoed water intoxication, swollen brain & fell into a coma.
Water is good for you, however, I don't think you need 2-3 gallons a day.
Marla
As a matter of fact, we had a case here in Dallas where an SMU pledge was forced to drink a lot of water in a short while & he develpoed water intoxication, swollen brain & fell into a coma.
Water is good for you, however, I don't think you need 2-3 gallons a day.
Marla
