How much water do you need to drink to get water intoxication?!
Question: I've been puking all day, and just now got better, but see... Anytime I try to hold gatorade down I puke it up. I don't want to constantly drink water and lower my electrolytes or anything, I'm nervous if I keep hydrating myself with water that will happen. Do I have no reason to be worried? Does it require ALOT of water to do damage? I don't know what to do. Thankfully I'm atleast able to keep some gatorade down finally.
Answers: I've been puking all day, and just now got better, but see... Anytime I try to hold gatorade down I puke it up. I don't want to constantly drink water and lower my electrolytes or anything, I'm nervous if I keep hydrating myself with water that will happen. Do I have no reason to be worried? Does it require ALOT of water to do damage? I don't know what to do. Thankfully I'm atleast able to keep some gatorade down finally.
You are at relatively no risk for water intoxication.
Water intoxication is when too much water enters the body's cells and 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.
I hope this helps! Hang in there and continue to get plenty of fluids.