is it possible to drink too much water?
546618
In a word, yes. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes. A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been diluted too much. Athletes can also suffer from water intoxication. Athletes sweat heavily, losing both water and electrolytes.\n\nWhen too much water enters the body's cells, the tissues swell with the excess fluid. Your cells maintain a specific concentration gradient, so excess water outside the cells (the serum) draws sodium from within the cells out into the serum in an attempt to re-establish the necessary concentration. As more water accumulates, the serum sodium concentration drops -- a condition known as hyponatremia. The other way cells try to regain the electrolyte balance is for water outside the cells to rush into the cells via osmosis. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from higher to lower concentration is called osmosis. Although electrolytes are more concentrated inside the cells than outside, the water outside the cells is 'more concentrated' or 'less dilute' since it contains fewer electrolytes. Both electrolytes and water move across the cell membrane in an effort to balance concentration. Theoretically, cells could swell to the point of bursting. \n\nFrom the cell's point of view, water intoxication produces the same effects as would result from drowning in fresh water. Electrolyte imbalance and tissue swelling can cause an irregular heartbeat, allow fluid to enter the lungs, and may cause fluttering eyelids. Swelling puts pressure on the brain and nerves, which can cause behaviors resembling alcohol intoxication. Swelling of brain tissues can cause seizures, coma and ultimately death unless water intake is restricted and a hypertonic saline (salt) solution is administered. If treatment is given before tissue swelling causes too much cellular damage, then a complete recovery can be expected within a few days.\n\nThe 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.
746587
no\nthe water evaporates too fast to cause any harm
444437
Yes you can drink to much and drown your brain, destroy your kidneys [overwork] and ultimately flush out all the nutrients from your body that you effectual require to be a healthy person. Cut down gradually not in one go as I had funny things happen to me as I wasn't told to cut down gradually.
291979
I think you mean pancreatitis. Yes, it can inflict animals. It is not caused by drinking too much water. It can be caused by eating the WRONG TYPES of food and by drinking alcohol
75005
Drink a lot of water! that is the key
488919
I don't think there is such a thing, although a good rule of thumb is to take your body weight in pounds and divide in half.  The number you get is the amount of ounces you should drink each day for proper hydration.  \n\nYou should also drink additional water = to the amount of any alcohol you drink in a day (if you have a 4 oz glas drink and extra 4 oz of water before you go to bed).\n\nThe only precaution I have ever heard about too much water is that you don't want to water down your digestive enzymes (needed to breakdown food) so you shouldn't have water with meals - drink juice or something that will keep the enzymes going.
940956
dehydration, asparagus, coffee make sure to drink lots of water!!
1143985
There is a condition called water intoxication but you really have to drink a lot of water.  It basically dilutes the electrolytes in your body to a degree that it can't function properly and is a life threatening condition.  I think someone would have to force themselves to drink that kind of volume, though, since it would not be easy.
806970
Before you seek any advice on how to balance your electrolytes, you should get your electrolytes checked. Have your doctor run a chemistry profile first. Sometimes, drinking a lot of fluids is your body's way of telling you that you need more fluids. Sometimes, it's a sign of a serious problem, though this is rare so don't get freaked out. Get more informed, and see your physician.
1053668
You just drank too much water before the first one. Drink less before the next one.
184749
I guess you need a lot of water
648317
I think you mean BLOATED, and NO it's not good to drink too much water or gatorade. Try to stick with about 8-10 glasses of water a day, that's plenty.
32704
it is a known cause of canser.dont worry, you have to drink alot.and i mean ALOT
186688
Drink lots of water, avoid excessive salt and sugar, exercise
992616
Drinking a lot of water and exercising.
452963
You might want to try drinking lots of water and eating...
806765
Can it, yes.\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperhydration