When a seemingly wholesome younger mom began to quench her thirst by consuming water, she had no approach of understanding she would find yourself lifeless.
Ashley Summers, 35, was trying ahead to a pleasant journey along with her husband and two youngsters when she traveled to Lake Freeman in Indiana along with her household. Nevertheless, attributable to a horrible tragedy, the in any other case wholesome mom would die inside days.
Ashley’s household claims she was badly dehydrated on the final day of the holiday. She knowledgeable her household that she didn’t really feel satiated since she couldn’t drink sufficient water. Ashley additionally complained about feeling dizzy and having a persistent headache, her household stated.
“Somebody stated she drank 4 bottles of water in 20 minutes,” her brother Devon Miller instructed WRTV. “I imply, a mean water bottle is like 16 ounces, in order that was 64 ounces that she drank in a span of 20 minutes. That’s half a gallon. That’s what you’re speculated to drink in a complete day.”
Ashley arrived dwelling however collapsed in her storage. She was taken to IU Well being Arnett Hospital, however she by no means regained consciousness. “My sister, Holly, referred to as me, and he or she was simply an absolute wreck,” Ashley’s brother added. “She was like ‘Ashley is within the hospital. She has mind swelling, they don’t know what’s inflicting it, they don’t know what they’ll do to get it to go down, and it’s not trying good.’”
Ashley’s physicians knowledgeable her household that she died because of water toxicity. “It was a shock to all of us. Once they first began speaking about water toxicity, it was like — it is a factor?” Devon Miller recalled. Sadly, it exists, and signs of water toxicity embody normal malaise, muscle cramps, discomfort, nausea, and complications.
“There are specific issues that may make somebody extra in danger for it, however the general factor that occurs is that you’ve got an excessive amount of water and never sufficient sodium in your physique,” stated Dr. Blake Froberg, a toxicologist with IU Well being. It’s a uncommon incidence, however in the course of the summer time months or should you’re somebody that works exterior or workouts loads, it’s essential to have a hydration plan. “Ensuring that you simply’re consuming issues which have electrolytes and sodium and a few potassium,” stated Dr. Froberg.
Hyponatremia (also referred to as low sodium) is a typical electrolyte abnormality attributable to an extra of whole physique water when in comparison with whole physique sodium content material. In layman’s phrases, if you drink an excessive amount of water, too rapidly, you’ll be able to dilute the quantity of sodium in your system which might result in critical coronary heart arrhythmia points.
Hypokalemia (or low potassium) refers to a lower-than-normal potassium stage in your bloodstream. Ingesting extreme water too rapidly can result in this situation. The correct quantity of potassium is vital to the correct functioning of nerve and muscle cells, notably coronary heart muscle cells. It’s essential to notice that different well being points may trigger hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Some diuretics, like blood strain drugs, may trigger the physique to eradicate extra potassium within the urine, main medical doctors to prescribe potassium tablets.
Ashley Summers was an organ donor and was capable of donate her coronary heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, and a few of her lengthy bone tissue, finally saving 5 different lives, her household stated. Ashley owned and operated Nation Children Daycare for 9 years and labored for Monticello Christian Church Daycare.
Ashley was an avid softball participant and coached her children’ softball groups. She liked her time on the lake and spending time along with her household and associates. Ashley was a loyal spouse, mom, daughter, and sister, and household was her all the things. Her household is grateful that she was capable of proceed her love via organ donation with Indiana Donor Community, giving the reward of life to many others.
