Death by Water

One of the most unusual causes for death I have heard is Water Intoxication. Who would think that a person could die from drinking too much water? I mean our bodies are about 60% water anyways.

Apparently water can be considered poisonous when consumed in vast quantities. An over-consumption of water can bring about an underpopulation of electrolytes and end up disturbing brain functions. But don’t worry – it is unlikely to happen to you unless you are in some sort of water guzzling contest or you exercise excessively without replenishing electrolytes.

The most famous instance of water intoxication is the death of Jennifer Strange (what an unusual last name). She was in a contest titled “Hold Your Wee for a Wii” which was held by radio station KDND. The contestants were instructed to drink 8oz of water every 15 minutes. Apparently, the DJ’s of the show had heard of water intoxication yet they didn’t halt the contest even after a warning from a caller. The DJ’s, however, ignored her and even made jokes about Jennifer Strange looking pregnant from the water intake.

After the contest, Strange spoke to a friend and described being in intense pain. An hour later, she was discovered dead. Her family later won $16.5 million in a lawsuit about her death.

Now, this isn’t meant to be a sad post. Certainly, the death of anyone is no laughing matter, but the cause of death is still very bizarre.

Interesting fact: Artist Andy Warhol died of cardiac arrhythmia. However, his family believed the arrhythmia was a result of water intoxication from an overload of fluids after surgery. They sued, of course.