Ecstasy Death Caused By 'Water Intoxication'
Coroner Says Boulder Teen Drank Too Much Water
A Boulder county teen died from drinking too much water, triggered by her consumption of ecstasy, the Boulder County coroner said Friday.
Coroner John Meyer said that the drug is the cause of death but that it led to a "cascade of events" that eventually caused Brittney Chambers (pictured, below) to lapse into a coma and die.
Brittney died Feb. 2 when her family removed her from life support, six days after her 16th birthday party, where she swallowed an ecstasy pill allegedly provided to her by friends.
"Without ingestion of the drug, there is no reason to believe that Miss Chambers would have other complications," Meyer said. "The thing that makes this drug dangerous, in my mind, is the unpredictability."
According to Meyer, Brittney repeatedly told friends at the party that she was thirsty. Three or four empty 16-ounce water bottles, which friends reportedly said were refilled several times, were found in Brittney's bathroom.
Meyer said Brittney suffered from "water intoxication."
Also known as hyponatremia, drinking excessive amounts of water can dilute the blood, cause abnormally low concentrations of sodium ions in the blood, leading to swelling of the brain. That swelling can lead to grave consequences, including coma and death.
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Previous Stories:
- February 9, 2001: Lab Tests Show Fatal Ecstasy Pill Untainted
- February 8, 2001: Boulder Probe Into Ecstasy Party Continues
- February 7, 2001: Boulder Deputies Suspended Over Ecstasy Case
- February 5, 2001: Ecstasy Suspects Due In Court This Week
- February 4, 2001: Ecstasy Suspects Post Bond, Victim's Family Plans Memorial
- February 3, 2001: Girl In Ecstasy-Induced Coma Dies
- February 1, 2001: Arrests Are Near In Ecstasy Sale
- January 31, 2001: Girl Remains In Coma As Authorities Issue Ecstasy Warning
- January 29, 2001: Girl In Critical Condition After Consuming 'Ecstasy' Drug
- January 4, 2001: U.S. Drug Chief Sees Big Rise In Ecstasy Use
- December 14, 2000: Teen Drug Use Steady, Smoking Declines
- November 27, 2000: Study: Teenage Ecstasy Use Up
- May 16, 2000: Light Use Of Ecstasy Can Dull Intelligence
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