Problems from polydypsia?
September 3, 2011 11:28 PM Subscribe
Assuming I maintain my electrolytes, can drinking large volumes of water be bad for my health?
When given steroids for an illness, the side effect of thirst and dry mouth led to me drinking a lot of water. Now, even after I'm off the drug, I still drink a lot of water. I'm used to it, I enjoy it and find it refreshing. Medical reasons for thirst such as diabetes have been ruled out on multiple occasions.
I have in the past managed to drink too much and get my potassium low. So now I supplement and will occasionally drink Gatorade or similar when I've drank even more water than usual.
So that part isn't a concern, I think. Yet I'm still drinking at least a gallon of water a day, up to about two gallons a day when its hot and I'm sweating. This doesn't include a couple of sodas or teas as well. Needless to say, my bladder and kidneys are getting a bit of a workout. I try to cut back and it works for a while and when I stop paying attention I go back to the large volumes again.
Am I setting myself up for troubles down the road by drinking this much?
When given steroids for an illness, the side effect of thirst and dry mouth led to me drinking a lot of water. Now, even after I'm off the drug, I still drink a lot of water. I'm used to it, I enjoy it and find it refreshing. Medical reasons for thirst such as diabetes have been ruled out on multiple occasions.
I have in the past managed to drink too much and get my potassium low. So now I supplement and will occasionally drink Gatorade or similar when I've drank even more water than usual.
So that part isn't a concern, I think. Yet I'm still drinking at least a gallon of water a day, up to about two gallons a day when its hot and I'm sweating. This doesn't include a couple of sodas or teas as well. Needless to say, my bladder and kidneys are getting a bit of a workout. I try to cut back and it works for a while and when I stop paying attention I go back to the large volumes again.
Am I setting myself up for troubles down the road by drinking this much?
Yes, drinking too much water can cause electrolyte abnormalities that are life threatening.
Here's the Wikipedia entry on water intoxication.
Here is an article from a recent media item where a woman died due to drinking too much water. This is just a more well known example of a not uncommon happening.
You're much better off with Gatorade than water for rehydration because as you note, it contains those electrolytes you need to replenish. But you should still be cautious of not overdoing your fluid intake.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 11:42 PM on September 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Here's the Wikipedia entry on water intoxication.
Here is an article from a recent media item where a woman died due to drinking too much water. This is just a more well known example of a not uncommon happening.
You're much better off with Gatorade than water for rehydration because as you note, it contains those electrolytes you need to replenish. But you should still be cautious of not overdoing your fluid intake.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 11:42 PM on September 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
You are fine. It's possible to drink too much but unlikely unless you consume it in gigantic bursts (like a gallon at a time or two gallons at a time if you are a heavy person.) Considering so many Americans are not adequately hydrated, you have a good problem, and worrying about it is akin to being concerned about the health risks of being over-exercised or the dangers of reading too many books.
posted by michaelh at 11:42 PM on September 3, 2011
posted by michaelh at 11:42 PM on September 3, 2011
Response by poster: I'm in Kansas City right now but used to be in Michigan. Humidity doesn't seem to affect my intake. I'm about 250 lbs. My average intake is closer to two gallons or so.
posted by gilsonal at 11:43 PM on September 3, 2011
posted by gilsonal at 11:43 PM on September 3, 2011
Response by poster: More specifically, I'm asking about problems unrelated to electrolytes, since I have that under control. I'm wondering about stress on my bladder or kidneys, or something similar.
posted by gilsonal at 11:45 PM on September 3, 2011
posted by gilsonal at 11:45 PM on September 3, 2011
Water intoxication is not just an electrolyte problem. As you will notice in the Wikipedia article, some of the deaths are due to heart failure.
When you drink too much water, you don't stress your bladder unless you are not urinating. The problem is if your kidneys cannot work fast enough to process the fluid you are taking in, you end up getting fluid backing up into other body tissues, specifically, your lungs - this is known as congestive heart failure. When your lungs fill up with fluid, you get short of breath, and it can be life threatening. Again, this is more of a concern when you are drinking the large amount in a short timeframe, which is what prevents your kidneys from keeping up with the volume. See the article I linked to for the rate at which your kidneys can move fluid.
That said, it still sounds like your intake is above the recommended amount. You sound like you are hastening fluid excretion by simultaneously taking diuretics (caffeinated beverages like soda and tea), but still, be mindful of the risk.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 11:53 PM on September 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
When you drink too much water, you don't stress your bladder unless you are not urinating. The problem is if your kidneys cannot work fast enough to process the fluid you are taking in, you end up getting fluid backing up into other body tissues, specifically, your lungs - this is known as congestive heart failure. When your lungs fill up with fluid, you get short of breath, and it can be life threatening. Again, this is more of a concern when you are drinking the large amount in a short timeframe, which is what prevents your kidneys from keeping up with the volume. See the article I linked to for the rate at which your kidneys can move fluid.
That said, it still sounds like your intake is above the recommended amount. You sound like you are hastening fluid excretion by simultaneously taking diuretics (caffeinated beverages like soda and tea), but still, be mindful of the risk.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 11:53 PM on September 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Sorry to post so many times but I thought this article did an even better job with the explanation you are looking for. It also points out that there is no scientific evidence behind the dictum to "drink 8 glasses of water a day".
Anyway, most of these articles are sensationalistic, as they point out it's rare that people actually die of this. However I frequently see cases of low sodium or low potassium for this reason, and that can make you feel weak/just overall bad.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 11:59 PM on September 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Anyway, most of these articles are sensationalistic, as they point out it's rare that people actually die of this. However I frequently see cases of low sodium or low potassium for this reason, and that can make you feel weak/just overall bad.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 11:59 PM on September 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
You can have hormonal imbalances or other endocrine system issues besides diabetes, that cause you to drink excessive amounts of water. Most of these conditions can be evaluated by GPs or internists, sometimes with consults to renal specialists or endocrine specialists. But if you're drinking 2 gallons of water a day, plus more fluid in the form of tea or Gatorade regularly, I think it's enough of a behavior outlier to mention to your doctor for medical consideration.
posted by paulsc at 2:47 AM on September 4, 2011
posted by paulsc at 2:47 AM on September 4, 2011
Medical reasons for thirst such as diabetes have been ruled out on multiple occasions. says the OP in his question.
posted by infini at 5:53 AM on September 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 5:53 AM on September 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't often accurately measure how much I drink, but I know it is a lot. If I'm at home all day like on some weekends I can keep track of how many times I refill my drinking glass, which is an old mason jar with measurement lines going up to 20 oz. on the side. I know I will regularly refill it more than six times in a day, so I'm drinking over a gallon. This is in addition to water from food and other drinks like tea, though I'll often only drink water during a normal day.
My thirst levels and water consumption levels have not changed much over the years. I've had many full and detailed blood tests for various reasons over the last 10 years and I know for sure that I am not diabetic. The only endocrine issues I've ever had was a slight thyroid abnormality about 5 years ago, and even that is back to normal and I've been off medication for 3 years.
I've asked doctors about it over the years and nobody seems particularly concerned. I always test normal and I seem and feel reasonably healthy. I'm just a thirsty guy and I enjoy drinking water. Yeah, I pee a lot and often, but I've never had issues with it (other than occasionally having to wait while traveling, etc).
posted by bigtex at 6:01 AM on September 4, 2011
My thirst levels and water consumption levels have not changed much over the years. I've had many full and detailed blood tests for various reasons over the last 10 years and I know for sure that I am not diabetic. The only endocrine issues I've ever had was a slight thyroid abnormality about 5 years ago, and even that is back to normal and I've been off medication for 3 years.
I've asked doctors about it over the years and nobody seems particularly concerned. I always test normal and I seem and feel reasonably healthy. I'm just a thirsty guy and I enjoy drinking water. Yeah, I pee a lot and often, but I've never had issues with it (other than occasionally having to wait while traveling, etc).
posted by bigtex at 6:01 AM on September 4, 2011
OK, the only issue I've ever had regarding how much I drink is actually dealing with people (none of them being doctors or health experts) telling me I drink too much, or that I'm diabetic, or complaining about the "8 glasses of water per day" thing.
posted by bigtex at 6:07 AM on September 4, 2011
posted by bigtex at 6:07 AM on September 4, 2011
Some vitamins are water soluble, and you may be washing them out of your system a bit prematurely, but with a healthy diet, you should be fine. You've got the electrolytes under control. I'm not a health care professional, but doesn't seem like a big deal. If you were on prescriptions meds, you have a primary care provider. Give them a call; this shouldn't require a visit.
posted by theora55 at 6:40 AM on September 4, 2011
posted by theora55 at 6:40 AM on September 4, 2011
Have you talked with your physician about this?
It sounds like you're just assuming that your electrolytes are fine because you sometimes supplement your water with Gatorade. That might not be a great idea.
Even if your electrolytes are fine, your doctor is in a much better position to answer this question than strangers on the internet (who, predictably, have disagreed and provided conflicting answers).
posted by J. Wilson at 8:17 AM on September 4, 2011
It sounds like you're just assuming that your electrolytes are fine because you sometimes supplement your water with Gatorade. That might not be a great idea.
Even if your electrolytes are fine, your doctor is in a much better position to answer this question than strangers on the internet (who, predictably, have disagreed and provided conflicting answers).
posted by J. Wilson at 8:17 AM on September 4, 2011
Careful with the sports drinks, unless you do the diet ones. Those calories start adding up. :( Been there, done that.
posted by xedrik at 10:06 PM on September 4, 2011
posted by xedrik at 10:06 PM on September 4, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
The body gets its fluid from three sources:
Drinks, either plain water or as part of other beverages including tea, coffee and squash
Solid foods, especially fruit and vegetables (even foods such as bread and cheese provide small amounts of fluid)
As a by-product of chemical reactions within the body
Most healthy adults need between one and a half to three litres a day, so aim to drink six to eight medium glasses of fluid daily. Beverages such as tea, coffee and fruit juices count towards fluid intake, and may bring with them other nutrients or benefits.
You may require more fluid if you're very physically active or during periods of hot weather.
A US gallon is almost 4 litres. That's not very much over this range.
I have a bottle of water next to my computer and am drinking constantly but I find this changes according to the local temperature - I drank less in Finland but have to carry a bottle around with me in tropical Singapore. My intake is probably closer to 3 litres as well but I'm a small built woman.
Where are you based? Is it very humid? And how big are you?
posted by infini at 11:39 PM on September 3, 2011