Can a person consume too much water? What would the consequences be besides having to pee a lot?

Answer 1

Can You Really Drink Too Much Water?

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.

Water intoxication and hyponatremia result when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes.
What Happens During Water Intoxication?

When 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.

From 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.

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.

Answer 2

Yes, it is possible to consume too much water. One of the main consequences is an improper balance of sodium, potassium, and other nutrients in your body. Having a deficiency of elements such as these can lead to organ damage and even death.

Answer 3

Yes, a college student died from that a few months ago during hazing. When you drink too much water, you sweat out potassium. When the potassium is gone, you can get very sick. If you are going to drink a lot of water, make sure you are getting salt with it.

Answer 4

There is some research done on obsessive compulsive people who drink more than 80 glasses of water a day. This mimics the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Answer 5

a person can consume too much of anything. dont really know what happens when u get too much water though

Answer 6

If you drink too much water you lose too much sodium. You have to drink a lot for that to happen.

Answer 7

It's actually possible to die from too much water.

Answer 8

You can lose vital nutrients and minerals by urinating them out.

Answer 9

I've read accounts where people actually die from it.
http://altmedicine.allinfo-about.com/features/waterintox.html
http://www.alpharubicon.com/med/watertox.html

Answer 10

http://www.1for1.com/Article_about_Overconsumption-of-Water-a-5250.html