Poisonous plants, snails, venomous vipers and hypothermia are just some of the things that can kill you in under an hour. In this video from All Time 10s, we take a look at 10 terrifying things that can kill you in less than an hour — all of which you may have never considered before.
1. Poisonous Plants
Poisonous plants are common in nature, but they can cause serious problems for people who come into contact with them. If you are unsure whether or not a plant is poisonous, talk to your doctor or your local nursery for advice.
Belladonna (Scopholia purpurea) is a deadly nightshade that grows in Europe and North Africa. It also naturalizes in some parts of North America.
The leaves, twigs and roots of the plant are poisonous and cause nausea and digestive upset. Ripe berries must be cooked before consuming.
This plant is a hemiparasite of trees and shrubs and contains a range of toxins, including phoratoxins and toxic alkaloids. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weak pulse and slow heart rate; in some cases, seizures can occur.
Hydrangeas are a beautiful plant that can be found in many gardens, but they are also a deadly poison. The leaves of this plant contain cyanogenic glycoside, which breaks down into cyanide.
2. Snails
Snakes can sting you in a big way. In fact, they have been known to inflict fatalities on humans if untreated. Depending on the species, a single bite could kill you in an instant. Toxicologists say the best bet is to call 911 and ask for help. A snake’s venom is absorbed by the liver and kidneys and can cause severe damage. It’s important to treat a bite with the utmost care, as you could still have some venom in your bloodstream when you get to the hospital.
Besides being fun and fascinating to look at, snakes are also useful creatures, capable of delivering a number of beneficial services like pollination and rodent control, according to the University of Washington.
Despite their predatory nature, many of these reptiles are oh so cute. In fact, a few even make great pets.
Regardless of how you feel about them, they deserve your respect.
3. Venomous Vipers
Vipers are a family of snakes that includes pit vipers (like rattlesnakes, copperheads or water moccasins) and Old World vipers (adders). They all have long, hollow fangs that connect to glands located at the rear of their upper jaws.
They use these to inject venom into their prey as they bite. Most also have keeled scales, vertically elliptical pupils and patterns and coloring to help them camouflage themselves from predators.
Bites by snakes are extremely painful and can be very swollen. They can also cause bleeding and blistering at the site of the bite, and some venoms can kill tissue around the site.
A single bite by the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) can be deadly, as it injects up to 12 times the lethal dose for humans in a single attack. Its venom is haemotoxic, which can damage blood vessels and result in multi-organ failure.
4. Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition that happens when your body loses more heat than it can replace. You can get hypothermia from a number of things, like being outside for too long in cold weather or when you’re submerged in ice water.
As the core temperature of your body starts to drop, you start to shiver. This is your body’s way of trying to keep itself warm.
Once the temperature has lowered too far, you will have no way of regaining your body’s normal temperature. As the symptoms of hypothermia progress, you will begin to pass out, have trouble thinking or moving, and become clumsy.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, call emergency services as soon as possible. Your help could save the life of that person.
5. Falling Out of Bed
Sleep is a vital part of our health, and our beds can be one of the most relaxing places to sleep. But falling out of bed can be deadly – in fact, it’s more likely to kill you than being involved in a plane crash!
A common cause of falls is REM behavior disorder, which causes people to act out their dreams physically. Other possible causes include restless sleep, aging, and dementia.
If your loved one has a low-profile bed or mattress, consider placing a pool noodle near the edge of their bed. This will make it much harder for them to roll over and fall out of the bed.
There are also plenty of other things you can do to help your loved one avoid a fall. For example, you can attach a device called SafeWander to their pajamas or clothing, which will alert you immediately if they try to get out of bed.
6. Sun Poisoning
Sun poisoning is a severe case of sunburn that can be caused by too much exposure to the sun or not using sunscreen properly. It can be painful and can lead to serious skin damage, including a higher risk of cancer.
It can also cause dehydration, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Seek medical care if you experience symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, headaches, or rapid breathing.
You may also develop flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills. These symptoms can be life-threatening if left untreated, so it’s important to get treatment immediately.
It can take hours for the symptoms of sun poisoning to appear, so it’s important to seek medical care as soon as you notice them. This will help you avoid long-term health problems and complications from the sun’s rays, which can be more severe than a sunburn.
7. Deer
Deer are a large, herbivorous animal that are commonly found in wetlands, forests, grasslands, and arid scrublands. They also travel in herds and are often led by a dominant male.
These animals are extremely docile and quiet, which is why they’re a welcome sight in many populated areas. They often cross roads without harming humans, eat quietly in gardens, and sleep peacefully in human backyards.
They’re great spirit animals for those who are seeking to hone their intuition and psychic abilities. They’re also a reminder to be light on your feet and to move quickly when necessary.
This animal is also super protective of their young bucks. They’ll hide them and cover them up when they’re looking for food or trying to escape predators.
8. Being a Couch Potato
When it comes to staying home and kicking back, many people often turn to the couch and binge-watch their favorite TV shows. But while it may be tempting to spend the day lounging on the sofa, this can actually be detrimental to your health.
A recent study found that long periods of sitting are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a host of other health problems. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to prevent yourself from becoming a couch potato.
For starters, try to get up from your chair once every hour to do some light exercise. This simple strategy can help you break the cycle of sitting all day.
9. Laughter
Laughter is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health. It can reduce stress, improve mood, and even strengthen your immune system.
It also increases your oxygen intake and lowers your blood pressure. It can help prevent heart disease, depression, and cancer.
However, it can also kill you in under an hour if you laugh too hard. Some medical conditions that have been linked to laughing too much include cardiac arrest, collapsed lungs, and asthma attacks.
While laughter is a powerful tool for improving your mental health, it’s important to take the time to laugh with friends and family in a safe context. Studies have shown that laughing with others can boost social bonds and reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Laughing releases endorphins, a hormone that increases pain tolerance and regulates your blood pressure. It can also stimulate circulation and increase oxygen intake, so it’s a great way to de-stress.