I have this problem too. My doctors don't have an answer for it, either, other than 'you drink a lot of water and you exercise a lot, so that's probably what's causing it'. Not really helpful!

I definitely think people should just listen to their body with how much water they need, and in saying that, I feel best drinking over 70 oz a day. It doesn't take effort, I don't feel like I'm forcing myself, I miss it when I don't bring a water bottle with me. I also think it helps my energy levels and skin :shrug:

Okay, now you guys have me all worried. I drink anywhere from 100-140 ounces of water a day, plus 2 diet sodas. I've been doing it for months now, so I guess it isn't really harming me, plus I get desperately thirsty if I drink less than 80 ounces. Water poisoning just sounds really creepy.

If you're not on any medications and eat an average amount of salt in your diet, you're probably ok, even at 5 to 6 quarts. However, if you're on any medications, especially diuretics and high blood pressure medication, or if you have kidney issues or kidney disease runs in your family, or if you eat a low salt diet you might want to talk to your doctor at your next checkup.

Water intoxication can occur suddenly or over time. Mom also was drinking a gallon or more of fluids for several months. The doctors' theory is that the sodium was gradually being depleted and didn't reach a critical level until it made her feel ill, or that some other factor was the trigger (like a change in the sodium level in her diet, but if so, it wasn't a conscious change, she thought she'd been eating pretty much like she had been).

I don't want to panic anyone when I talk about water intoxication. It is rare, even among those drinking very unusually high amounts of water. I just want people to be aware of the possibility, and if they're drinking alot of water to have a chance at recognizing the symptoms if they occur. It isn't a symptomless event, but most of the symptoms are pretty vague until you feel REALLY horrible rather suddenly. However, fast treatment (ideally before it gets to the horrible stage) is needed so you need to know that if you do get suddenly ill, it may not be the flu. A salty snack like a bag of chips (for the less severe symptoms) or an emergency room visit (if it's reached the flu-like stage) won't hurt you if it is only the flu, and could save your life if it's water intoxication.

If you get routine blood work drawn every year, it wouldn't hurt to make sure your sodium levels are within the normal range. My sodium levels run very low, both naturally and because of the blood pressure medication I'm on, so I know I am at risk and have to be careful.

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Symptoms of water intoxication (water intoxication can be caused by other electrolyte depletion, but it's almost always sodium)

There are several symptoms of hyponatremia and though it occurs in only a small percentage of people, it is the most common electrolyte disorder treated in the United States.

Common symptoms of hyponatremia include fatigue, irritability, headache, and water retention, loss of appetite, and nausea or vomiting. Other signs or symptoms of hyponatremia are mental in nature and include abnormal or confused mental status, hallucination, and possibly unconsciousness. Often times abnormal presence of mind and confusion are the first serious symptoms of hyponatremia as the brain cells cannot accommodate swelling due to the water retention that accompanies hyponatremia

Wow this has become a pretty interesting topic, now you can see how my house sounds. Three teenage girls and a mom!

I guess it is different for everyone. If I drink a diet soda for some reason my weight stalls. Also I was addicted to them and would not drink anything else till I had another one. So for me it was an issue. I have not had one since Thanksgiving and it is working for me.

My oldest daughter does not care for water so she drinks crystal lite and does not have any issue with it.

I try to drink at least 32oz of regular water everyday and add in other drinks at meal time. If I did not do that I would not drink anything and that is bad.

I drink 64 oz of water (green tea actually) before lunch! lol I average a gallon to a gallon and a half of green tea and water per day.

I don't usually drink anything but green tea or straight water with an occasional pepsi one or diet mountain dew (occasional means 1 per month maybe) but when I was drinking it, I did count crystal light as water intake.

I don't really drink anything that cannot be counted as water intake (besides the rare soda) but if I did I wouldn't count juices as water though there is probably nothing wrong with doing so. a very ambiguous answer I know but hey ;) lol

As Ever
Me

I guess I haven't really been following the water debate in the media, but I do know that since I've stepped up my water intake (2 months ago) my weight loss has increased. I drink between 60 to 80 per day.

I must confess that I LOVE coffee and cannot live without it. I was able to decrease my coffee intake from 4 to 3 cups a day by replacing it with water. I alternate 20 ounce water bottles (refillable) with coffee in the morning.

Water works for me!

Dear Ms Moderator Heather!
I am so sorry if I sounded snarky!!! I just meant to warn people that staying hydrated is important if you want to prevent things like kidney stones. Clearly the memory of my last stone overtook my common sense in posting! Many, many apologies.
Anyways, I think all fluids count, and if you count a few coffees and diet sodas in the mix, with a glass or 2 of water with meals and before bed, one should be just fine.
I think if one really tries and tries to up their H2O intake, it'll become easier and habitual over time...
Kira

My cute pink bottle holds 24 oz. I drink one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. for a total of 72 oz. It helps me monitor if its hunger or thirst. I struggle with knowing the difference sometimes. And I rarely drink much else. Occasional milk with dinner. Or a ginger ale when we go out for dinner once a month.

kiramira -- No worries! As I said, I don't think we disagree on much! And I might have been a little prone to seeing a disagreement that wasn't there-- I wasn't in the best mood yesterday.

One of the difficulties of online exchanges is that it's really hard to "read" what people mean...

Dear Ms Heather Moderator --
Not to hijack this thread, but you look amazing -- not even CLOSE to your start photo. You are truly inspiring!!!
Kira

Thanks!