A MUM-of-two tragically passed away after drinking four bottles of water in just 20 minutes during a family day out.
Ashley Summers, 35, is estimated to have guzzled 64 ounces as she struggled to quench her raging thirst in the stifling heat.
FacebookAshley Summers, 35, died from water toxicity after drinking four bottles in 20 minutes[/caption]
FacebookThe mum-of-two collapsed shortly after returning home with her husband and kids[/caption]
The family, from Indiana, US, had been exploring Lake Freeman while celebrating the Fourth of July weekend last month.
But Ashley began complaining of a headache and other symptoms of dehydration such as feeling lightheaded on the last day of their trip.
The mum said that no amount of water seemed to satiate her thirst, seeing her knock back the equivalent of four 500ml bottles.
Her brother, Devon Miller, told WRTV: “I mean, an average water bottle is like 16 ounces, so that was 64 ounces that she drank in a span of 20 minutes.
“That’s half a gallon. That’s what you’re supposed to drink in a whole day.”
Ashley then returned home with her husband and two young daughters, but suddenly collapsed in their garage.
She was rushed to the Indiana University Health Arnett Hospital with severe brain swelling – but sadly never regained consciousness.
Devon explained: “My sister, Holly, called me, and she was just an absolute wreck. She was like ‘Ashley is in the hospital’.
“‘She has brain swelling, they don’t know what’s causing it, they don’t know what they can do to get it to go down, and it’s not looking good’.”
Doctors diagnosed the mum with water toxicity, also known as hyponatremia, which is caused by low salt levels in the blood.
It can occur when too much water is drunk over a short period of time, diluting the sodium levels in the body.
This overwhelms the ability of the body’s complex organ systems, primarily the kidneys, to regulate the balance of fluids.
Symptoms include feeling generally unwell, as well as having muscle cramps, soreness, nausea, vomiting and headaches.
In serious cases, the brain can swell, which can lead to confusion, seizures, coma and death.
Her heartbroken brother continued: “It was a big shock to us all. I was just like, this is a thing?’
“She just felt like she couldn’t get enough water.
“When they left the sand bar to when they got to the dock, it was about a 20-minute boat ride.
“She drank four bottles of water in that 20 minutes.”
Toxicologist Dr Blake Froberg explained that cases of water toxicity are more likely throughout the summer.
He said those who work up a thirst by working outside or exercising frequently have a higher likelihood of suffering from the fatal illness.
Dr Froberg said: “There are certain things that can make someone more at risk for it, but the overall thing that happens is that you have too much water and not enough sodium in your body.”
The expert urged people to drink liquids that contain electrolytes, sodium and potassium to regulate their body.
Ashley was an organ donor, meaning her heart, liver, kidneys and some of her long bone tissue were donated to save five other lives.
The family were visiting Lake Freeman, situated around 80 miles north of Indianapolis, for a weekend holiday boat excursion.
Ashley and her loved ones “loved being on the water”, Devon said.
They had arrived at the tourist hotpot on July 1 until July 4.
FacebookOrgan donor Ashley, from Indiana, saved five other lives[/caption]
FacebookHer family have been left heartbroken over her unusual cause of death[/caption]
