I always really liked drinking water. Not an insane amount, about 2 liters (100 fl oz) a day. So I always wondered whether I’m overworking my kidneys or if they are just passive filters benefiting from the water passing through.
In: 10
>I always really liked drinking water. Not an insane amount, about 2 liters (100 fl oz) a day.
Excessive thirst can be caused by a number of things. If you live in a warm climate and youre outdoors often or if you get major exercise daily then it’s probably no big deal.
Can also be a side effects from some prescription medications. Increases thirst is one of the most common side effects of lithium, for example. If you’re taking one or more prescriptions check the side effect listings.
Depending on your age ypu may wish to get your A1C level checked to see if you have consistently high blood sugar (I.e. hyperglycemia). One of the ways the body deals with chronic hyperglycemia is the kidneys and liver work to increase urine output, in an attempt to flush the excess blood glucose out. This also ends up causing dehydration and loss of electrolytes, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphates.
>So I always wondered whether I’m overworking my kidneys.
Thats a lot but not excessive especially if you regularly drink that much. The pituitary senses the levels of salts in the blood and produces hormones that increase urine output, and also reduce uptake of water in the intestines.
Main issue with consuming a large amount of water in a *short time* is hyponatraemia or hypokalaemia. Meaning low blood sodium or low blood potassium. Symptoms of hyponatraemia are quite similar to heat exhaustion and dehydration. They include headache, high fatigue, nausea, elevated heart rate, chills, inebriation or difficulty concentrating, vertigo.
>or if they are just passive filters benefiting from the water passing through.
No, they aren’t a passive system. Very much they contrary. They actively maintain the levels of a large number of chemicals in the blood like electrolytes, glucose, creatinine, various trace amines. Short chain peptides, as well as nutrients absorbed by the intestines. When your kidneys fail completely, you don’t tend to live long.
Latest Answers