Yeah he was 15 and got really really drunk the next morning he woke up with huge hangover and drank over a gallon of water probably 2 gallons in like a half hours time he passed out we called 911 he died. They said it was water on the brain from too much water oh well I didnt think this could happen is it true you can die from too much water too fast?
2006-09-11 09:48:09 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Men's Health
Yes, it is possible and it happens more often than people realize. When you drink copious amounts of alcohol, it DEHYDRATES the body, including the brain, and the brain shrinks a little as a result. When you REHYDRATE yourself, your tissues absorb the water and return to their normal size and shape. However, when you OVERHYDRATE yourself, your body cannot handle the excess water, and the excess water can pool on top of the brain (wet brain) which is a life threatening condition. It can lead to hemmoraging, which sounds like what happened to your friend. Overhydration becomes an issue ESPECIALLY following an alcohol binge--it's never good to consume too much.
2006-09-12 18:31:40 · answer #1 · answered by surfinthedesert 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Surprisingly, yes, this can indeed happen. It's often referred to in medical circles as hyperhydration or water poisoning (or water intoxication). What happens is that the body contains electrolytes that help with the body's use of water in the cells and bloodstream and such. Normally, the body maintains a safe level of electrolytes to water naturally. This is done by passing water (urinating), sweating, etc.
When a person intakes a large quantity of water extremely rapidly, it throws the electrolyte balance out of wack, and there is a shift of water content from being outside the cells to inside the cells. The cells swell with liquid and stop functioning properly. Sometimes the cells even burst (in the worst cases) and are destroyed. Since this process also effects the central nervous system and brain, too much water drunk rapidly can be deadly. Cells bursting in the brain is not a good thing after all.
It's not a common occurance, but it does happen, and given what you've said, it makes sence as the explanation for your friend's death.
Sympathies on the death of your friend.
2006-09-11 10:00:34 · answer #2 · answered by Lendorien 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would need to chug down about three quarts of water or more all at once to come down with a case of true water intoxication. It does happen, but so rarely that I couldn't find statistics on the number of cases. These people become drowsy, lightheaded, and weak. They have trouble coordinating bodily movements and thinking straight, looking and feeling as if they just stumbled out of the local bar. But the water-intoxicated can't just go home and sleep it off. They must get treatment or risk going into convulsions, a coma, or even death.
2006-09-11 09:49:56 · answer #3 · answered by HuyaHuya 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Called water intoxication, yes, it can be lethal. Not because of swelling of the brain caused by the water tho, so I suspect you misunderstood the explanation you got, or the explanation was not correct. At any rate, water intoxication can cause fatal consequences because it thins the blood and throws electrolytes way out of balance, this usually leads to cardiac arrest. It also takes considerably more water than two gallons to cause.
2006-09-11 09:56:18 · answer #4 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This has also happened to a few athlete, maratoners mostly, who've tried to "replenish" lost water from perspiration but collapsed and died. I'm not sure but I recall reading that too much water goes into the blood stream and causes an imbalance of the electrolytes, and other vital minerals that are needed for regular life functions, like red blood cells and that "starves" the heart and other muscle cells which impedes normal body functions... and, somehow, eventually causes death. I've really not done much reading into this. But, yes, it is not a joke and it does and CAN happen.
I'm reallly sorry for your friend.
2006-09-11 09:55:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is true. Thats why they tell you if you are doing drugs/excessive drinking to be careful how much water you drink because you won't realize and can potentially overdose. Thats why if you are partying it's better to drink gatorade or vitamin water because they give you nutrients and electrolytes which replenish your body without having to drink a ton of water. Sorry to hear about your friend - that is a real tragedy.
2006-09-11 09:51:02 · answer #6 · answered by Rawrrrr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Usually people who die of water overdose are mentally challenged people. It's because too much water in your blood thins out your electrolytes and throws everything off balance. Sorry for your loss :(
2006-09-11 09:51:05 · answer #7 · answered by Lisa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could drownd by drinking a glass of water
if he drank 2 gallons of water in a half an hour.. he probably filled his stomach real fast and there could have been too much water absorbed into his blood before being cycled through the kidneys
2006-09-11 09:50:59 · answer #8 · answered by Go Mike 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. It is called Hyponatremia, excessive water consumption can dilute your sodium and electrolyte levels to the point that you fall comatose and even die from it. It is rare and usually seen in distance runners.
2006-09-11 09:50:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suppose it is possible, he might have even drown if drinking too quickly it got in his lungs, it only takes an inch of water to do so.
But the part about "water on the brain" just doesn't jell.
2006-09-11 09:53:34 · answer #10 · answered by Dale 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋