A number of information retailers reported a surprising cause for the demise till coroner’s report got here in
An Indiana girl whose household mentioned she died from ingesting an excessive amount of water too rapidly has highlighted the difficulty 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 mentioned, 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 submit. “Her mind swelled to the purpose that it reduce off the blood provide to her mind. All this occurred apparently from water toxicity.”
Water intoxication occurs when there may be 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 numerous water (at one level 4 bottles in lower than half-hour). All this induced her mind tissue to start out swelling. By Tuesday night she was unconscious within the hospital and by no means wakened once more.”
Whereas ingesting an excessive amount of water too rapidly could cause an electrolyte imbalance, in Summers’ case that was not unequivocally the case, the coroner dominated.
A extra affordable objective may be two litres a day, which interprets properly into the outdated customary of “eight glasses a day” if you happen to make it 250 mL per glass. Extra may be wanted for pregnant girls, throughout sizzling climate or when exercising. The Mayo Clinic additionally notes that if you’re not often thirsty and your urine is pale yellow, you’re in all probability on monitor. Darkish yellow signifies dehydration, whereas clear would possibly imply over-hydration.
It’s additionally vital not to soak up all that water directly.
“If she would have drank Gatorade, or took within the water extra slowly, she could be alive,” Summers’ brother wrote. “To all my associates, perform a little analysis on water toxicity. It might save somebody’s life.”
Summers is survived by her husband and two daughters, each beneath the age of 10.
Editor’s Word: This story has been up to date to incorporate info from the coroner’s report.
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