Water Intoxication

[NYgirl]

I'm sure that everybody has heard about the woman who died after drinking too much water at a radio station contest, trying to win a Nintendo for her children.

It's a good point to bring up.  We've always said drink tons of water - 1/2 your body weight in ounces - while on treatment.

This woman supposedly drank only 2 gallons of water  - which to me although it seems like a LOT, doesn't seem like it could kill you you know?

So I thought I'd mention it. While we do get extremely dehydrated on treatment and it is good to keep thoroughly hydrated at all times - don't over do it.

It could be fatal.

(PS My doc advises that the "half my weight" ratio is fine as long as I factor in other liquids I drink such as tea and it's not necessary to drink 60 oz of water itself). But then...that is just his opinion.  I took it because I just HATED drinking so much water! ;)

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Drinking large quantities of water rapidly can throw off the body's balance of electrolytes, causing brain swelling and leading to seizures, coma or even death.

[jmjm530]

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[jmjm530]

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[jmjm530]

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[worrywartwife]

Too much fluid intake too rapidly for the body to process results in dilutional hyponatremia-too little sodium in the bloodstream. This low sodium can cause a giddy feeling(intoxication) and nerve transmission problems, which can lead to cardiac dysarrhythmias (weird heartbeats) which can send you to heaven. It is very rare and seen mostly in people with pituatary problems in which they cannot concentrate urine and in psychiatric patients, particularly those on medications such as lithium which are "salts" and may make these patients drink fluids compulsively. Not much for HCV treating people to worry about.

[wMich]

Yeah, that was one sad event regarding the water intoxication story. I'm thinking the radio station didn't do their homework on that one. If I picked up one good habit from dealing with HCV and Tx it was drinking more water. I followed the recommended .5 oz./lb of body wt./day regimen for the most part. Before Tx Id drink coffee throughout the morning at work. Upon starting Tx in 7/05 I switched to drinking water all day at work and having a (much smaller) daily ration of coffee, all before work. Since Tx ended in 6/06 this routine stuck with me, though I am finding myself drinking less water now that the sides have waned.   - Lee

[friole]

I have noticed since I have been off of tx my water consumption has dropped drastically.  I really do feel better when I drink more water -- not enough for water intoxification, mind you, but enough -- maybe 2-3 quarts a day -- far from the 15 liters danger zone.  I always drank 16 oz glasses with my riba and lots more.  Now those "event" triggers are gone, and I have tried to replace them with vitamin taking times, but the urgency just isn't there.  I think public as a whole just needs to substitue water for soft drinks more often.

In short, it is very doubtful that anyone on tx is consuming enough water to die.

[Pdilly]

We are taught to much liquer is bad for you but to much anything you drink is bad for you. Your kidneys can only process so much at a time. Ita a shame.  2 Gallons of water...now thats alot.

[mikesimon]

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. 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."

<A HREF="http://chemistry.about.com/cs/5/f/blwaterintox.htm/">Q. Can You Drink Too Much Water? From Anne Marie Helmenstine,Ph.D.</A>

Mike

[MissMiss]

I think you got the right idea, sipping all day.  Unlike cola, it won't rot your teeth, lol.  They say it is better to eat a lot of smaller meals during the day than 3 large ones.  I think the same is true with water.  Feed the thirst.  

Hope you have a better afternoon.

miss

[Lady E]

I honestly don't feel good when I drink too much water. I get a feeling in my head like when I've been swimming all day. Today, at work, I drank 2-18oz bottles of water & 1 6oz cup. I had that feeling after the 2nd bottle. I feel like I'm damned if I do & damned if I don't. I still try to sip water all day long anyway.
-E

[MissMiss]

I saw that on the news.  What a horrible tragedy!

My take on water consumption is if you start urinating a lot and it is coming out perfectly clear, it's time to cut back on the water.  Your body is pretty smart if you listen to it.

For someone who has been consistantly dehydrated, the body will notice the increased consumption and grab it, save it.  That's why some folks end up with a little edema and are still dehydrated.  It's like a defense mechanism.

Tx aside, it's possible to feel hungry instead of thirsty when dehydrated.  Thus adding to the problem of obesity.

These are my thoughts based on some reading of my own.  The book "Your Body's Many Cries for Water" (or similiar, brain fog even at this 5 mo post tx.) is very enlightening.

Just my take.

miss