How much water does it take to kill someone?

amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,332
249
106
I've been coughing a lot today at work for some odd reason, so I've been drinking a lot of water to calm it down. Since 8AM (4 hours ago), I've must have downed maybe 8 coffee sized cups of water to control my cough.

It's been working too, but now I feel very uncomfortable and I know it's the water messing me up. I also pee'd around 3x this morning. I usually use the bathroom once a day...

Am I going to die?
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
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That's fine. I drink lots of fluids throughout the day. I probably pee 5-10 times a day.
 

jemcam

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2001
3,676
0
0
I drink probably 8 pint sized water bottles a day minimum. Kidney stones suck, I had several last year and this is what the Dr. told me to do to prevent them. So far it's working.
 

Dirigible

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2006
5,961
32
91
This is your chance for fame! Keep drinking and keep a log o how much water you're downing. When we find your body and check the log we will finally have an answer to your question.
 

MJinZ

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2009
8,192
0
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A couple of gallons maybe... and water might only kill you if you don't get the electrolytes in them.
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
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I drink probably 8 pint sized water bottles a day minimum. Kidney stones suck, I had several last year and this is what the Dr. told me to do to prevent them. So far it's working.

Too much information...

I think water poisoning only really happens if you down too much at once. Depends on how much you weigh and how fast your body can process it.
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,502
136
You use the bathroom once a day? Really?

And sip tea, don't drink a lot of water. Especially if it's cold water.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
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If you are drinking a lot of water, not urinating, and not getting electrolytes, that can be dangerous.

a lot of water would be defined as, at the minimum, more than a gallon in less than an hour.
You're body will tell you to stop well before then in most cases. It's when you force the issue, that it gets into dangerous territory.

8 coffee mugs worth, over what sounds like 3-5 hours, isn't bad. That's likely 64-96oz, which in that span of time will definitely cause dilution of salt balance, but likely similar to exercise-induced electrolyte loss.

You probably feel quite bloated, probably a very odd nauseous-hunger feeling as well. I've had that quite a few times from similar days of having drank a lot of water for similar reasons.

As long as you eat, or drink some beverages other than water as well, you won't feel so ugh for all that long.