From poisonous plants to venomous snakes and even lethal laughter, there are a surprising number of things that will kill you in under an hour. From consuming too much salt to being a couch potato, All Time 10s counts down the ten terrifying things that will kill you in under an hour.
1. Laughter
Laughter is not only fun, it relieves stress and tension. It also increases creativity and improves relationships. In fact, positive psychology researchers suggest that laughing and humor are critical components for surviving difficult times, developing meaningful lives and enhancing quality of life.
But, although laughter is good for us, it can be deadly under certain circumstances. Laughing too hard can increase intrathoracic pressure, which in turn can rupture an aortic aneurysm or cause Boerhaave’s syndrome (a hole in the esophagus). In addition, laughter can also trigger asthma attacks, dizziness and fainting, as well as aggravate pain by stimulating the release of neuropeptides that are natural painkillers. Nevertheless, death from laughing doesn’t occur often. It mostly affects people with preexisting medical conditions such as congestive heart failure and COPD. They don’t have the backup cardiac capacity or lung volume to compensate for normal physiologic changes that happen during a laugh.
2. Hypothermia
We’ve all heard of people surviving cold ordeals that appeared to kill them. In many cases, however, they were suffering from severe hypothermia. This occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it and leads to a dangerously low core temperature.
It can occur from exposure to very cold temperatures or from being in or under water for long periods of time. It can also affect people who spend a lot of time outdoors, such as hikers or hunters.
If someone is suspected of having hypothermia, you should call 911 immediately. Avoid jarring the person, as this can cause irregular heartbeats and make the condition worse. Move the victim inside and wrap them in warm blankets. If possible, warm them from the center of their body (chest, neck, head, and groin). Shivering is the first sign that the body is losing heat.
3. Poisonous Plants
Plants are everywhere, and many people are unaware that they’re poisonous. Ingesting some plants can cause gastrointestinal problems, while others may cause skin reactions or heart issues.
Some of the most lethal plants are members of the nightshade family, such as common hemlock, which contains a toxin that’s fatal in even small doses. Hemlock was used in ancient Greece as an efficient means of execution, and its cousin, water hemlock, causes poisoning symptoms that include sweating, vomiting, excess salivation, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, confusion, delirium, and death.
Other deadly plants include rhubarb, foxglove, and Manchineel tree (Cerbera odollam), which is found in tropical northern South America to southern North America. It’s the world’s deadliest flowering plant and contains a toxin more lethal than cyanide. All parts of the plant are toxic. Contact with the skin causes a blistering reaction.
4. Snails
Last year, Luke Hanoman almost died from sepsis. It’s a serious condition that affects 1.5 million people each year and kills 250,000 of them in the United States alone. He nearly succumbed to it because he bit and fiddled with his nails all the time. It turns out that’s a bad habit that can get you into some seriously trouble. Nails aren’t digestible and can end up in the stomach as a bezoar. They can also cause infections that lead to sepsis.
5. Too Much Sugar
The human body uses sugar, also known as glucose, for energy. But eating too much sugar can have negative side effects. From a one-time sugar binge to a lifetime of excessive consumption, it is important to know how to avoid too much sugar.
Eating too much sugar can lead to obesity, high blood sugar, heart disease, and other health issues. It can also cause mood swings and fatigue, as well as make it harder to sleep. It may seem difficult to cut out sugar entirely, but starting small is a good way to start. Try dropping one sugary item a day, like switching from a flavored coffee to regular, or swapping your 3pm snack for a piece of fruit. Slowly reducing your sugar intake will help you get in better shape and feel healthier. It will also prevent cavities and rotting teeth.
6. Salt
Many people know that too much salt is not good for us, but did you know that ingesting a large amount of salt can kill you in under an hour? The delicate balance of water and salt (or sodium) inside and around our cells is what keeps them happy, but too much or too little can lead to deadly results. There have been several cases of salt intoxication, including a man who downed six liters of salt on a dare and a child with mental health problems who ate a rock of salt to kill himself. It is rare, but it can happen.
7. Soda
There’s a reason doctors recommend avoiding soda–it can do more harm than good. The sugar and acid in soda can wreak havoc on teeth, contribute to obesity, raise your risk for diabetes and heart disease, and cause gout. And even the clear stuff isn’t a great choice because of all the preservatives and artificial flavors that can increase your cancer risk.
And the caffeine in soda can lead to dehydration if you’re not careful because it has a diuretic effect that makes you urinate more, which can deplete your fluid levels. Plus, the highly allergenic sodium benzoate (or potassium benzoate, if you opt for the diet variety) in many sodas can make your allergies and asthma worse. Drinking soda can also irritate your stomach lining and aggravate existing digestive issues, such as ulcers. It can also trigger inflammation and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
8. Falling Out of Bed
The bed is usually seen as a cozy and relaxing place to rest. However, this can be dangerous if you fall out of it. Fortunately, falling out of bed is not likely to kill you in under an hour unless you hit your head or break something else.
Spiritually, falling out of bed is a reminder to trust your intuition and take a leap of faith. It is also a sign that it’s time to let go of any negative energy, such as fear and resentment, that you are holding onto.
Additionally, falling out of bed can be a sign that you are feeling overwhelmed and that it’s time to slow down. Be sure to take some time for yourself and make a habit of practicing mindfulness. This will help you stay centered and connected to the Universe.
9. Couch Potatoes
If you are a couch potato, you spend most of your time watching TV. This can be very unhealthy because you don’t get enough exercise. Being a couch potato can lead to heart disease and diabetes. So, it’s important to get up off the couch and do something active.
Schwartz has become a Couch Potato. His life revolves around his apartment and his television. He has a wife and two children. He doesn’t go out to nightclubs or movies anymore. He is bored with the whole scene.
The show Couch Potatoes was a game show that had two teams of contestants who answered questions about television shows past and present. The winning team would win money. The game show had a lot of celebrity guests on the show. It was very popular in 1987.
10. Smoking
Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chew tobacco or vape liquid nicotine, all forms of tobacco are dangerous to your health. Smoking tobacco increases your risk for lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic (long-term) diseases. It also puts your loved ones at risk for breathing in second-hand smoke, which is the harmful, irritant gases that rise directly from the tip of the smoking tobacco or e-cigarette. Additionally, smoking raises your baseline stress levels and may cause anxiety, which can trigger urges to smoke. Smoking also causes your heart to beat faster, which can increase your blood pressure. High blood pressure, known as “the silent killer,” can lead to a stroke, heart attack or loss of vision. It can also cause your lungs to become damaged, which makes it difficult to breathe.