Drinking too much water will kill you

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential dangers of excessive water consumption, particularly its effects on kidney health and the risk of water intoxication. Participants explore various aspects of this issue, including scientific studies, personal anecdotes, and physiological limits related to water intake.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a study indicating that excessive water consumption may lead to kidney damage, particularly in residents of Walkerton, Ontario.
  • Another participant cites a Wikipedia article on water intoxication, suggesting that drinking too much water can indeed be fatal.
  • A participant expresses belief in the findings based on a report heard in North Carolina.
  • Questions arise regarding the specific threshold for what constitutes "too much" water intake.
  • One participant mentions that healthy kidneys can filter about 1.5 liters of water per hour, implying that exceeding this rate could lead to problems.
  • Another participant discusses the damaging effects of high urine volume in the bladder, suggesting that it can lead to kidney swelling and damage.
  • A humorous remark is made about the concept of drowning, alongside a mention of the importance of maintaining electrolyte balance, particularly for marathon runners who may consume excessive water.
  • A light-hearted comment about heading to a convenience store for a large drink concludes the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying degrees of concern regarding the dangers of excessive water consumption, with some supporting the idea that it can lead to serious health issues while others provide anecdotal evidence or humorous commentary. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the specific limits of water intake or the implications of the studies mentioned.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the exact amount of water that is considered excessive and the physiological mechanisms behind potential kidney damage. The discussion also reflects a mix of scientific references and personal beliefs, which may not fully align.

iansmith
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My title is exagering the situation but a study found that drinking too much water may damage kidneys.
Researchers say kidney damage found in more than 200 residents of Walkerton, Ont., is not the result of E. coli poisoning.

A new study suggests the serious damage has been caused by drinking too much water and that it's a problem that could be afflicting thousands of people across the country.

The condition is one of the findings of a long-term health study into the 2000 tainted-water tragedy and is "completely preventable" a lead researcher told the Canadian Press Wednesday.

The study found that five per cent of the 4,400 residents tested had high urine volumes with pathological levels of protein.

The problem is unrelated to the E. coli-contaminated water that killed seven people and sickened 2,500 others in May 2000.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051116/walkerton_health_051116/20051117?hub=TopStories
 
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I had heard a new report about it here in North Carolina so I believe it
 
but exactly how much is TOO MUCH?
 
hi,

two healthy kidneys can rid themselves of about 1.5 litres of water per hour at maximum filtration.
So you'll have problems(?) with more than 1.5 litre/hour.
(1.5*24=36 l/day :biggrin: )
 
High urine volume in the bladder is damaging, since the water from the kidney in that case can't be emtied into the bladder. The kidney will retain the water and swell, causing damage to the organ.
 
I knew drinking too much water could kill you since I was a child in kindergarden. It's called DROWNING! :smile: I'm just joking, but I did hear about the loss of proper electrolyte balance that comes with too much water. Marathon runner's must eat very salty snacks and prefer to drink gatorade as they are suceptible to consequences (probably not death) of drinking too much water.
 
On this note I'm heading to 7-11 for a double big gulp.
 

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