24 Dec 2009, 01:10
(23 Dec 2009, 20:17 )Joyl27 Wrote: Why would a heart attack occur as a result of an enema?
This is called overhydration.
From http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/sec...ch18c.html
Quote:"Overhydration is having too much water in the body.
When more fluid is consumed than can be excreted, overhydration occurs. The blood vessels overfill, and fluid moves from the blood vessels into the spaces around cells, causing swelling (edema).
Overhydration has many causes. The most common is heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump blood adequately. Kidney disorders can cause overhydration if the kidneys cannot excrete enough water."
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication
Quote:Water intoxication (also known as hyper-hydration or water poisoning) is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by over-consumption of water.[1] Normal, healthy (both physically and nutritionally) individuals have little reason to worry about accidentally consuming too much water. Nearly all deaths related to water intoxication in normal individuals have resulted either from water drinking contests, in which individuals attempt to consume high amounts of water, or long bouts of intensive exercise during which electrolytes are not properly replenished, yet excessive amounts of fluid are still consumed
From http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_tap_w...toxication
Quote:The intestines can absorb water.
A tap water enema may cause electrolyte disturbances similar to when a person drinks more water than their body can metabolize. As a precaution it is best to add a teaspoon of salt to each 1000ml of water to prevent absorption and keep the sodium balance.
I have included several links that discuss water intoxication as well as water enemas.
Here are some more details and a link to an informative article:
When sodium levels drop in the fluids outside the cells, water seeps into the cells in an attempt to balance the concentration of salt outside the cells. The cells then swell because of the excess water. In severe cases, cerebral edema and fluid in the lungs manifests. All of which can be lethal, when left untreated.
As the water content of the blood increases, the body cannot excrete the fluids fast enough. The excess water then goes to the bowel, which pulls salt into it from the body diluting the concentration of sodium in the body tissues leading to massive cellular damage effecting muscle, brain, heart liver, and kidney function. When cell death occurs, water intoxication becomes water poisoning.
