A number of factors contributed to years of dehydration; now circumstances haved changed and I've gone from 0-2 glasses of water to 8-16 glasses a day.  Is this harmful to the body and if so, what is a safe way to reintroduce water into the system?  Please, educated answers only.
218395
Excess water is not usually harmful at all.  The body has a very effective homeostatic method for handling unneeded water.  It gets eliminated as urine, usually within a few minutes.  The only possible harm would be loss of electrolytes and the water-soluble vitamins C and B-family.
199597
Yes you can drink to much and drown your brain, destroy your kidneys [overwork] and ultimately flush out all the nutrients from your body that you effectual require to be a healthy person. Cut down gradually not in one go as I had funny things happen to me as I wasn't told to cut down gradually.
646413
It could be that you are getting dehydrated.  You need to make sure that you are getting enough WATER every day.  Start with 4-6 glasses a day and slowly work yourself up to 7-8.  It will take a while to get used to.
550323
you drink that much because your body is telling you to drink.  maybe you just get dehydrated easily.  regardless, you can never drink too much water.
654519
If you drink more than 10 cups of water a day it can wash out your electrolites, which you need to stay healthy! It can also wash out important minerals and vitamins like Potassium that are water-soluble. So try to stick to 8 or 9 cups of water a day. If you tend to drink it too fast, use smaller cups, or put the cup down between every sip. It will help you regulate how much and how fast you drink it.\n\nPS: Water CAN hurt you if you drink TOO much of it, just so you know, because I noticed a couple other people said it's good no matter how much you drink. No offense or anything :-)
676039
That happened to me I almost died.\nMake her drink water, anything more that a cup of water per 15 min doesn't get absorbed. \nSo it doesn't do much good to drink a whole water bottle at once. \nDRINK 1/2 or a 1/3 of a 16 oz water bottle wait 15 min to drink another 1/3.  Wait at least 15 min to drink the rest. \nDrink  3 or 4 (even 5 if you want) water bottles a day!!!
121265
The 8 glasses of water a day is a little out dated because even though it might be enough for your "average" person, it may not be for others. And if you are an active person, the ounces increase still. The best way to figure out how much water you should drink each day is take your body weight and divide it in half. That should be in ounces how much water you should drink. Example, a person that weighs 120 lbs. would need to drink 60 oz. of water, if you weigh more obviously you would drink more. Having enough water in your body allows your kidneys and liver to function at their optimum levels.
540333
you should be drinking 8 - 8oz glasses of water a day.  that's 64 oz.  you're pretty close to that if you drink 60 oz a day.
418828
Not the way you are thinking of and actually drinking more than 8 glasses (12oz pe glass) of water is hard on your kidneys.  The only way water can cleanse your colon is with an enema.
427675
No it is not bad. In fact a grown up male should take a minimum of 3 litres of water or other fluids per day. It can be more than this but not less. read -\n\nHow much water do you need?\nEvery day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.\n\nA couple of approaches attempt to approximate water needs for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate.\n\nReplacement approach. The average urine output for adults is 1.5 liters a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids. \nDietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3.0 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day-.
345950
My age 55 . But according to U.S.A. standards we are suppose to drink 8 20 ounce glasses a day, and I do.\nMy doctor agreed with U.S.A. standards.It is for all ages,races,etc.It will keep you healthy and strong.
286385
How much water do you need?\n\nEvery day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.\n\nA couple of approaches attempt to approximate water needs for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate.\n\nReplacement approach. The average urine output for adults is 1.5 liters a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so you if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids. \n\n\nDietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3.0 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day. \n\nEven apart from the above approaches, it is generally the case that if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce between one and two liters of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate.
312649
I think you mean BLOATED, and NO it's not good to drink too much water or gatorade. Try to stick with about 8-10 glasses of water a day, that's plenty.
295371
You'll only lose water, so there will be an initial drastic loss, but once you drink water, your body will absorb it again and the weight will come back.  If you don't replenish the fluids, you risk damaging your liver and kidneys along with a constant thirst.  It's not a healthy or lasting diet alternative.
573396
If you drink too much water, your body will retain some of it. You'll also be putting water pressure on your internal organs that's not good. ALSO, you can cause yourself kidney failure but the water has to be in a MAJOR excess for that, like 5-6 gallons a day. Best way to judge water intake... if you're thirsty... drink some water. If you're hungry... drink some water... many times thirst comes through as hunger pangs and people eat food their body doesn't need.
656003
I don't get hangovers because I drink a LOT of water all the time. So my body is always pretty hydrated. Did you know that was what a hangover was? The alcohol dehydrates you and that sick feeling you get is from lack of water. If I know I'm going to be doing some serious drinking, I'll drink at LEAST eight 8oz glasses of water before I start to chug. Wake up fresh as a daisy next morning!
206335
What you have been given is a snipet of how to use water therapeutically and this snipet of info does not explain correctly. "Water Therapy" is another load of rubbish that someone is making money from that has no results to back it up. these sorts of things give Natural Therapies a bad name and I am dead against them.\nIt is great to drink 2 LT of water...Daily,  not in 2 hours! That is not good for you. I bet you pissed a lot!! LOL!\nYou should not drink water before, during or immediately after a meal as it dilutes the digestive juices and makes digestion harder thus creating energy problems.\n\nWater is not toxic unless it contains toxins already.\n\nLarger intakes of water are suggested therapeutically by Naturopaths etc for aiding in detoxification programmes, but this is under supervision and for short periods only, not for prolonged periods. When I say larger, still not 2 Lt in 2 hours!\n\nIf you want to know about Natural healthcare then see your local Naturopath and get real advise my friend and save yourself the hassles.\n\nHope this has helped you.\n\nCraig - Naturopath.