Coca-Cola Gulp Proves Fatal for Young Man in Beijing
A bizarre medical case from Beijing in 2021 has resurfaced on social media. A 22-year-old man reportedly drank 1.5 liters of Coca-Cola in just 10 minutes to cool off during hot weather.
About six hours later, he started experiencing severe stomach pain and visible swelling, prompting him to seek medical attention at Chaoyang Hospital in Beijing.
Doctors found that the man had no underlying health conditions but his vitals were alarming: an elevated heart rate, low blood pressure, and rapid breathing. A CT scan revealed pneumatosis, an abnormal buildup of gas in the wall of his intestine and portal vein.
The gas buildup is believed to have triggered hepatic ischemia, or 'shock liver', a condition caused by the liver being starved of oxygen. Despite treatment efforts, his condition continued to worsen, and he died roughly 18 hours after being admitted.