Water intake?

[cichlid]

I was sitting here thinking that maybe I am drinking too much water. I drink about 3 liters of water a day in the summer and 2 liters of water in the winter! I don't drink coffee and caffeinated drinks that dehydrate me very often (like once a month currently). If it matters, I am on the skinny side.

The thing that has always puzzled me is that the more water I drink, the thirstier I become. It's not like I drink it all at once and urinate it all out. I'll drink half a liter every couple of hours. The less I drink, the less I am thirsty. Is that normal? Is it perhaps not thirst but a craving for the wonderful feeling of drinking water?

Not consuming any artificial sweeteners (except in my Orbits gum) or any medications.

-Liz

PS- Yes, I drink water like a fish!

[melrich]

I think it's pretty unlikely that drinking lots of water would hurt you unless you really forced it down your throat. Even then my guess is you'd vomit before it did any damage.

[Samedy]

I probably have about 3 liters of water a day in the summer. During the summer, and with Volleyball, I will drink almost 2 liters of water in a 5 hr time span.

I think that thirst can be an indicator of diabetes. Is there any history of diabetes in your family?

*I hope you aren't a hypochondriac of anything. I'm not saying you have diabetes, there are probably loads of reasons for being thirsty..

[kaoticbaby]

Hmm I really don't know if it's normal or not. I DO know that if someone is constantly thirsty when they shouldn't be, it COULD be a sign of diabetees. Which is probably very far-fetched. But my aunt was like this when she was first diagnosed [when she was around 21 years old.]

[nuttybuddy]

drinking too much water can be dangerous. it will dilute your blood and your electrolytes will become unbalanced. and there are many effects of having your electrolytes unbalanced. you can potentially have a seizure. drinking too little water is also not good. you will become dehydrated.

you should go see a doctor. your drinking can be a psychogenic thing, or it can be due to diabetes.

[redrose85]

OP- I get the same way. It is possible to drink too much, because your bladder can only expand so far. I don't know about the electrolytes and all that though...what are electrolytes?

[jsosk88]

You would have to drink insane amounts of water in order for it to do damage to your body.

This is an extreme case:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[redrose85]

Oh that is so sad I think that was just plain ignorant on the radio station's behalf. There are health warnings about drinking too much water, and they knew it. Senseless death...

[CharLit]

2-3 liters per day is recommended, so what you're doing sounds fine. However that is for total fluid intake - are you drinking a lot of other things besides water? While coffee and tea are mild diuretics, their effects are negligible with normal intake, so don't let that stop you from drinking it.

I also found that once I started drinking that kind of amount, I felt thirstier. I'm wondering if it might be because your body becomes accustomed to a certain amount and regularity of intake, and 'complains' sooner if anything changes, e.g. you wait 20 minutes before your next sip of water in stead of 10.

If you had diabetes you would most likely have other symptoms besides thirst, but you can always consult your doctor if you're worried.

[RayKay]

Hypnotremia is quite rare - it happens mostly in marathoners and other endurance athletes when they do not have enough electroyltes and basically they overhydrate. It can be deadly, but as I said rare and generally unless you are participating in a ridiculous competition, or running an endurance race you are okay.

Unless you are not eating at all, and just guzzling gallons of water, there is not that much worry - you would feel pretty horrible if you were in danger and would get very sick. If you feel good and are just drinking a fair amount along with a healthy diet you are probably fine.

You may be drinking what I consider a bit in excess though because don't forget other foods/fluids (ie milk, juices, fruits) all have water content and count towards your fluid intake.

I drink a fair amount too, as I need to replenish as I get a lot of physical activity in general during the day. Everyone is different as it depends on activity levels, atmosphere/weather, overall diet, etcetera.

Excessive thirstiness can indicate some illnesses though, like diabetes, so watch for that. But it may also be as your tolerance level has adjusted and your body now likes more water.