‘Her mind swelled to the purpose that it lower off the blood provide to her mind. All this occurred apparently from water toxicity’
An Indiana girl whose household stated she died from ingesting an excessive amount of water too rapidly has highlighted the problem of water toxicity or water poisoning, though a subsequent coroner’s report indicated a number of causes of demise.
Ashley Miller Summers, a 35-year-old mom of two, died July 4 after consuming a considerable amount of water, her household stated, together with roughly two litres (4 customary 500-mL bottles) inside 20 minutes.
“My sister who lives in Indiana was pronounced lifeless yesterday afternoon,” her brother wrote in a Fb put up. “Her mind swelled to the purpose that it lower off the blood provide to her mind. All this occurred apparently from water toxicity.”
Water intoxication occurs when there’s an excessive amount of water launched out of your kidneys, diluting the electrolytes in your physique. This may occasionally trigger hyponatremia, or low ranges of sodium within the blood. Signs of hyponatremia embrace nausea and vomiting, low blood strain, complications, confusion or disorientation, fatigue and muscle cramps. Anybody experiencing these signs ought to search medical consideration.
Summers had been boating over the July 4 weekend and acquired severely dehydrated, her brother wrote. “On the Tuesday she drank a whole lot of water (at one level 4 bottles in lower than half-hour). All this induced her mind tissue to begin swelling. By Tuesday night she was unconscious within the hospital and by no means awoke once more.”
Whereas ingesting an excessive amount of water too rapidly may cause an electrolyte imbalance, in Summers’ case that was not unequivocally the case, the coroner dominated.
A extra affordable aim is perhaps two litres a day, which interprets properly into the previous customary of “eight glasses a day” in the event you make it 250 mL per glass. Extra is perhaps wanted for pregnant ladies, throughout scorching climate or when exercising. The Mayo Clinic additionally notes that in case you are hardly ever thirsty and your urine is pale yellow, you’re in all probability on monitor. Darkish yellow signifies dehydration, whereas clear may imply over-hydration.
It’s additionally vital not to absorb all that water directly.
“If she would have drank Gatorade, or took within the water extra slowly, she can be alive,” Summers’ brother wrote. “To all my buddies, do some analysis on water toxicity. It might save somebody’s life.”
Summers is survived by her husband and two daughters, each underneath the age of 10.
Editor’s Observe: This story has been up to date to incorporate data from the coroner’s report.
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