Is too much water bad for you? =S?!

Is too much water bad for you? =S?

and how much is too much if it is?

As a registered nurse I can tell you that too much water is indeed bad for you. Water intoxication would be a good term to use. However let me also say it is VERY DIFFICULT to achieve water intoxication if you are not FORCING LARGE amounts of water over a very short time span. This behavior is UNATURAL and COMMON SENSE is the key here. Don't be afraid of water! A FAR more common problem is dehydration. I recommend keeping a bottle of water (16.9 fl oz) with you all day...at your desk...in your car...in your home and drinking it as you go about your daily living. I like this because it's portable, you can put the cap back on and not worry about it spilling. You don't have to drink a bottle at one sitting! Just as you don't lose fluids in one moment you don't have to rehydrate all at one time. I don't keep track...I'm very busy and as I'm driving or between patients I take a drink or two and refill it when necessary.I find that I drink around 4 bottles quite naturally throughout a day. As I have incorporated it into my life it is not a chore or point of stress for me. If I'm unusually active or it is unusually hot I may drink more. It is not easy to achieve water intoxication! Your body will eliminate much of the fluids you drink unless you have a medical problem that causes you to retain fluids...there are people who need to be on fluid restriction for a myriad of medical reasons but this should only be done under the advice and monitoring of a physician! Don't be afraid to drink water!You will hear about rare cases of water intoxication in conjunction with a lack of common sense! That contest is a prime example.Don't wait until your thirsty to drink for this is a sign that you already are dehydrated. As your activity level increases so will your need to rehydrate. Also , your environment plays into how fast your body will lose fluids. As with most things use common sense. You do not need a degree in medical sciences to know that filling a 2 litre bottle with water again and again and chugging it one after another will lead to an imbalance in fluids!ANYTHING in excess can be harmful!Excercise,water, oxygen...it can ALL be overdone...again...common sense is the key. Take care everyone! As a hospice nurse I would LOVE to see my case load go down especially when it comes to 'lifestyle' illnesses. What we do now DOES matter!