Why is it bad to drink too much water?
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
115 x .5 = 57.50/8 =7 Cups of Water per Day maximum She’ll die. Too much water dilutes your electrolytes and it’s responsible for your heart. 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. Bo
Can You Drink Too Much Water? By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com See More About: * science faqs * how things work * water chemistry * water intoxication Sponsored Links Emergency Bottled WaterLearn How Bottled Water Is Essential in Times of Emergency!www.ArrowheadBornBetter.com 20 Top Home Water FiltersWhole House, Sink & Shower Filters. Compare Brands, Factory Discounts!www.WaterFilterComparisons.com Deer Park Water DeliverySave now w/Free Use of a Dispenser! when you start Home Water Delivery.www.DeerParkWater.com Question: Can You Drink Too Much Water? Answer: You’ve probably heard that it’s important to ‘drink plenty of fluids’ or simply ‘drink lots of water’. There are excellent reasons for drinking water, but have you ever wondered if it’s possible to drink too much water. Here’s what you need to know: 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 th
