An Indiana woman whose family said she died from drinking too much water too quickly has highlighted the issue of water toxicity or water poisoning, although a subsequent coroner’s report indicated multiple causes of death.
Ashley Miller Summers, a 35-year-old mother of two, died July 4 after consuming a large amount of water, her family said, including approximately two litres (four standard 500-mL bottles) within 20 minutes.
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“My sister who lives in Indiana was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon,” her brother wrote in a Facebook post. “Her brain swelled to the point that it cut off the blood supply to her brain. All this happened apparently from water toxicity.”
Water intoxication happens when there is too much water released from your kidneys, diluting the electrolytes in your body. This may cause hyponatremia, or low levels of sodium in the blood. Symptoms of hyponatremia include nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure, headaches, confusion or disorientation, fatigue and muscle cramps. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.
nationalpost.com
