Community Chat

[Lindsays Grandma]

@viva923 ...This sure helps too.  6:00 P.M. sounds reasonable to stop drinking water, however, I have one problem.  I drink hot tea but I suppose one cup after 6:00 P.M. won't be too much of a problem.  I'm keeping notes on all of the tips.  Thanks for yours.

[msgb]

If you have had kidney stones in the past and do not want to go thru that pain again -- water is the thing that you are told to drink a lot of.

I had three kidney stone surgeries in 8 weeks some summers ago--my summer from 

Heck.

I also know that you can get the liquid needed in some fruit--which most people eat more of during the warmer months.

But I know the result of a lot of water.

Something you might try is eating some pumpkin seeds or pepitas. 

[beach-mom]

@Lindsays Grandma - My doctor once told me 8 p.m. That doesn't happen because of our schedule. Sometimes we don't get to EAT before 8 p.m! 

I used to have really bad problem with Charley horses in the early morning. A friend of mine told me her doctor said to drink about 6 oz. water right before going to bed. I was reluctant to try it, but it stopped the Charley horses! So I continue to do this. Most of the time I have to get up during the night, but I never have a problem going back to sleep.  

[Lindsays Grandma]

@msgb ...I have never had kidney stones, thank God.  Healthy as a horse except for a bad back which causes a lot of pain but that's a whole other story but thanks for your input.

[mamaslittlepotato]

I stop drinking water by 7:00. It helps. It’s hard for me to drink a lot of water so I pour flavor packets into the Poland Spring bottles. I use one packet for three or four bottles of water, just to have a little added flavor. This helps get all the water down a lot easier.

[qbetzforreal]

Could be edema.  The Urologist told me not to go to bed with swollen legs and feet.  When you're in bed, your feet are elevated and the fluid is released from the body via urination.

If you do have edema, elevate your feet during the course of the day and cut back on the sodium.

Track your elimination during the course of the day with how much water you're drinking, also include coffee, tea and all other beverages.

How much drink isn't going to be safe up until bedtime. 

[bcherry01]

---

@beach-mom wrote:

@Lindsays Grandma - My doctor once told me 8 p.m. That doesn't happen because of our schedule. Sometimes we don't get to EAT before 8 p.m! 

I used to have really bad problem with Charley horses in the early morning. A friend of mine told me her doctor said to drink about 6 oz. water right before going to bed. I was reluctant to try it, but it stopped the Charley horses! So I continue to do this. Most of the time I have to get up during the night, but I never have a problem going back to sleep.  

---

My husband takes a tsp of mustard for that.  Swears by it.

[Sage04]

@Lindsays Grandma, I´ve always heard that 7pm is a good time. How about buying a bag of drinking straws and use it to drink your water. To me the colder the water, the better it taste, so add your ice and take one pull every 5-10 minutes or less and see how that works for you.

[Anonymous032819]

 Water: How much should you drink every day?

Water is essential to good health. Are you getting enough? These guidelines can help you find out.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

How much water should you drink each day? It's a simple question with no easy answer. Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years. But your individual water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.

 No single formula fits everyone. But knowing more about your body's need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day.

What are the health benefits of water?

Water is your body's principal chemical component and makes up about 50% to 70% of your body weight. Your body depends on water to survive.

Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. For example, water:

Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements

Keeps your temperature normal

Lubricates and cushions joints

Protects sensitive tissues

Lack of water can lead to dehydration — a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.

How much water do you need?

Every 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.

So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is:

About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men

About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women

These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages and food. About 20% of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks.

What about the advice to drink 8 glasses a day?

You've probably heard the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day. That's easy to remember, and it's a reasonable goal.

Most healthy people can stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than eight glasses a day might be enough. But other people might need more.

You might need to modify your total fluid intake based on several factors:

Exercise.

If you do any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to cover the fluid loss. It's important to drink water before, during and after a workout.

Environment.

Hot or humid weather can make you sweat and requires additional fluid. Dehydration also can occur at high altitudes.

Overall health.

Your body loses fluids when you have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Drink more water or follow a doctor's recommendation to drink oral rehydration solutions. Other conditions that might require increased fluid intake include bladder infections and urinary tract stones.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you may need additional fluids to stay hydrated.

Is water the only option for staying hydrated?

No. You don't need to rely only on water to meet your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion. For example, many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and spinach, are almost 100% water by weight.

In addition, beverages such as milk, juice and herbal teas are composed mostly of water. Even caffeinated drinks — such as coffee and soda — can contribute to your daily water intake. But go easy on sugar-sweetened drinks. Regular soda, energy or sports drinks, and other sweet drinks usually contain a lot of added sugar, which may provide more calories than needed.

How do I know if I'm drinking enough?

Your fluid intake is probably adequate if:

You rarely feel thirsty

Your urine is colorless or light yellow

Your doctor or dietitian can help you determine the amount of water that's right for you every day.

To prevent dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. It's a good idea to drink a glass of water:

With each meal and between meals

Before, during and after exercise

If you feel thirsty

Should I worry about drinking too much water

Drinking too much water is rarely a problem for healthy, well-nourished adults. Athletes occasionally may drink too much water in an attempt to prevent dehydration during long or intense exercise. When you drink too much water, your kidneys can't get rid of the excess water. The sodium content of your blood becomes diluted. This is called hyponatremia and it can be life-threatening.

https://www.mayoclinic.org 

[ALRATIBA]

I don't mind getting up during the night ...  can fall back to sleep quickly.

SIL's doc recommended drinking water before bed to prevent leg cramps.  It works - and I rather wake up and go to the bathroom than with cramps in my legs, and not being able to go back to sleep.