How much water is too much water? This is a question that many people have asked themselves, and the answers they have found are not very comforting. Although it may be true in some cases that too many drinks of any kind can actually be harmful, in general, the answer is that there is no single amount that is considered to be excessive. The healthy benefits of water do, however, outweigh the drawbacks by a wide margin.
Water is an essential part of life and without it, many of our basic functions would be impossible. We need a minimum of a half-gallon of water per day, though we should aim for more, just to maintain our normal bodily functions. That's still plenty, though. And drinking even more than that would be like trying to climb Mount Everest with a camel! Of course, most of us don't need that amount, and most people rarely go over that amount, leaving it safe and healthy for the average person to drink on a regular basis.
When you think about it, water consumption is actually pretty easy to regulate. You don't need to go over the normal amount and cause damage to your body, or to your health in general. There is only a certain amount that is safe, and when you exceed that safe limit you create problems. When you consume more water than is safe, you will probably use more water than you should, which can lead to serious issues with your body. Excess water consumption can even result in serious illnesses or even kidney failure. And this applies to people of all ages.
So, why does drinking so much seem dangerous? In a word, it is unhealthy. Not only does the body need a certain amount of water to function properly, but the toxins found in too much water can actually damage the body in adverse ways. In a healthy body, the balance of fluids is maintained by a complex network of nerves, cells, organs and tissues, and this regulation depends on water.
If you do not have enough water in your system, you will experience many symptoms. Those suffering from arthritis usually need to drink a lot more water, as do patients with kidney disease and dehydration. People who have diabetes will find their bodies working against them if they are taking diuretic medications and antacids to control their condition. When too much fluid enters the body, there is not enough water to be eliminated, so waste is created and toxins are released. In the long run, this can lead to serious problems.
However, how much water is too much water? If you are consuming more than eight glasses of water per day, then you are probably overloading your body with too much water. You need to drink between six and ten glasses of water each day to stay properly hydrated. To find out what the recommended amount of water is for you, your doctor can help you calculate it. This amount is based on your age and your personal weight, but you should be able to get an accurate estimate by consulting a physician.
How much water is too much water? Overconsumption of water can lead to other problems, including dehydration, bloating and other issues. Excessive water consumption can also lead to bone and joint problems, increase your risk of developing cancer and can increase the likelihood of getting heart disease. If you take drugs that contain calcium, you may find that your drinking water contains too much calcium. Calcium is needed by the body to form and maintain healthy bones and teeth.
If you are suffering from a number of ailments and are taking diuretic medications, you should check with your physician to see if there is an excessive water consumption problem. It could be that you are having a complication with one of your medications or that your body is unable to process large quantities of diuretics. Excessive water consumption can be dangerous if it interferes with the treatment your doctor has prescribed for a specific illness. It is important to drink plenty of water to remain healthy.
