Water, Water, Water

[Mellybeans]

Happy New Year!

Ok, I would really love some advice. I have searched your forums and havn't really found anyone with the same problem I have.

I read that water is great for you and it helps with weight loss - and I can confirm that! But, the problem is, they say that you only should drink when you feel thirsty... i feel thirsty ALL OF THE TIME.

The last month I have drunk 12 - 15 glasses (250ml glasses = 3000 - 3750 ml ) of water every single day and I am still thirsty by the time I go to bed (I spread it out throughout the day). I swear to god I could drink more, my lips are cracked and bleeding like I havn't been drinking at all, it is messed up I am worried about over drinking and getting water poisoning.

So, does anyone else experience this? Will my thirst ever be quenched? And will my dry lips go away?

Thanks,

Waterholic Mel

[scaleskl]

I haven't experienced this problem. Are you diabetic? I have many diabetics in my family and at times they have had trouble with quenching their thirsts. Have you seen a doctor? Maybe you should get this checked out

[boonie stomper]

Originally Posted by Mellybeans

Happy New Year!

Ok, I would really love some advice. I have searched your forums and havn't really found anyone with the same problem I have.

I read that water is great for you and it helps with weight loss - and I can confirm that! But, the problem is, they say that you only should drink when you feel thirsty... i feel thirsty ALL OF THE TIME.

The last month I have drunk 12 - 15 glasses (250ml glasses = 3000 - 3750 ml ) of water every single day and I am still thirsty by the time I go to bed (I spread it out throughout the day). I swear to god I could drink more, my lips are cracked and bleeding like I havn't been drinking at all, it is messed up I am worried about over drinking and getting water poisoning.

So, does anyone else experience this? Will my thirst ever be quenched? And will my dry lips go away?

Thanks,

Waterholic Mel

Oooo Kaaaayy.... don't know who "they" is you refer to, that say you should only drink when you're thirsty; but I DISAGREE! I could hunt down some literature for you, maybe later, (I'm on rotten dialup at the moment which will probably crash while I'm typing this) (....Boonie remembers to copy before posting this time...) ...but I can tell you "they" (other thems) say, where I come from, you should hydrate BEFORE you feel thirsty, because by the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

There are a lot of things that can cause this dehydration (been there, done that plenty) and yes, it (symptoms associated with dehydration) can go away if you get and stay hydrated. Way beyond just dry lips - joints feel better, too!

As for Hyponatremia (I think i remember that as the word for "water poisoning") - more web literature is available - this is highly unlikely at 15 glasses or more (I've drunk more plenty of times) IF YOU SPACE IT OUT. In other words, don't drink it all at once. The problem that causes is too rapidly lowering your normal blood salinity, so your brain swells or something like that.... happy reading and drinking! And BTW scaleskl has good advice, too.

[Einy]

Mellybeans,

Well, first, 3.7 l is not serious, but I would check with a doctor if you are concerned. I am also wondering the same thing as Scaleski.. Are you diabetic?

When was the last time you have done blood work? In any case, I would go and check it out with a doctor and may be do a quick glucose/blood sugar test just in case.

[sallyseachange]

I drink between 3 - 4 litres a day and have done for several years now. Sometimes it's a chore and sometimes I feel thirsty enough for it. I do feel better when I'm more hydrated though. My father, who was a doctor and wrote a book about desert survival used to always say that everyone should drink more than just to quench their thirst. In my experience, it was good advice. I don't think you need to worry about drinking too much.

I also agree that if you're worried, or if you find you are continuously thirsty, you should have it checked out by a doctor. Diabetes does come to mind when I hear about unquenchable thirst.

Keep us posted, ok?

[Mellybeans]

:O oh no... I'll do some research on diabetes and see if I am showing other signs. And I will try to get to the doctor and get it checked out.

This did start the same time I started Atkins, I hope it is linked and isn't diabetes.

Sally: When you have drunk 4 litres of water througout the day, you don't feel like drinking more? You feel satisfied? Would you feel your thirst is quenched at 3 litres?

Thanks for your replies everyone

[Skeptika23]

I drink 4 liters or more a day (and I won't count the couple of cups of hot tea and the one Diet Coke with Splenda with lunch). Then again, I've always been a very thirsty person, but I'm not diabetic.

Another non-diabetic reason could be salt intake - I have a harder time quenching that thirst when I'm eating lots of salt.

But I would still get tested for diabetes - everything I've ever read suggests that unquenchable thirst is a sign of it.

[SunnySmile501]

I would suggest you go on the yeast-elimination diet. I had these same problems (constant thirst, extremely dry skin and lips, cracks in the corners of my mouth and nose) and my doctor gave me prescription meds (creams and lotions), which helped not at all.

Then, for other reasons, I did the strictest yeast-free diet, plus took B-vitamins, iron and selenium, and after 14 days my skin was back to normal, scaling skin gone and cracks healed. I never knew your skin could be affected by a yeast over-growth.

I suggest you read recent posts on the yeast forum to get some ideas. I had to stop consuming foods with vinegar (all condiments including mayo, salad dressings), dried herbs, grains, fruit, sugar, cheese, dairy, tea, coffee, mushrooms and the like. It was hard, but well worth it in the end.

Sunny!

[Desertthorn]

Originally Posted by Mellybeans

:O oh no... I'll do some research on diabetes and see if I am showing other signs. And I will try to get to the doctor and get it checked out.

Don't do what I did and become a cybercondriac. Last year I was sure I had ovarian cancer, lung cancer and bone cancer, all because of google. I have learned NOT to self diagnosis.
What are you eating, Have you added a lot of cheese to your diet? Pickles, Olives, pork rinds?

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by Mellybeans

:
Sally: When you have drunk 4 litres of water througout the day, you don't feel like drinking more? You feel satisfied? Would you feel your thirst is quenched at 3 litres?

Thanks for your replies everyone

Sometimes I get thirsty, even drinking 4 liters... I've never really thought too much about the when or the why, but I imagine it's usually after eating salty foods or when it's particularly hot...
Of course, if I'm thirsty, I drink!