How do I know if I am drinking enough water?
Urine colour tells you: pale straw means enough, dark yellow means drink more, completely clear usually means more than you need. There is no single daily amount that suits everyone, and the eight-glasses rule is folklore.
Heat, exercise, fever, vomiting and breastfeeding raise needs sharply; older adults blunt their thirst signal and benefit from scheduled drinking.
More is not endlessly better, extreme forced drinking dilutes sodium dangerously. Kidney stones, recurrent UTIs and some conditions change targets individually; that is a doctor conversation, not a gallon-jug challenge.
See a doctor promptly if
- Confusion, headache, vomiting or seizure after drinking large volumes of plain water during heavy exertion: possible low blood sodium, a medical emergency
- Passing very little or no urine for several hours, dizziness on standing, or a fast weak pulse
- Sudden unexplained thirst with frequent urination and weight loss. This pattern needs a diabetes check, not more water
Try the three question check1 min, free, nothing to installThe screening three that a doctor would ask, answered privately.
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS · How we review
If you are buying a thermometer
A basic digital stick thermometer is accurate and costs a few dollars. Forehead scanners are fine for quick checks on children; ear thermometers need good technique to read true.
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