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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Why Did A Dead Old Person Bleed Through Nose And Mouth With Skin Turning Purple?

Hi, My mother passed away shortly, cause of death is still unknown. We re waiting for the autopsy report but I m curious to find out why she died. She was 77, we we re on holiday together and she collapsed while in the sea. We managed to take lift her straight up so I know she didn t drown. She said she felt very weak and soon after lost her conscious. We took her out of the sea and layed her down on her side, we opened her airways. Within seconds she started bleeding through her nose and foam came out of ther mouth. Then her face turned purple, we took her hospital but she didn t make it. We thought it might be a heart attack but I m not sure. Could it be brain haemorrhage?
posted on Fri, 21 Sep 2012
Twitter Mon, 30 Sep 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 30 Sep 2013 Last reviewed on
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Anesthesiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
I am sorry for your loss. The reason for her death might be aspiration of sea water. Sea water being rich in salt content draws water from the blood resulting in electrolyte abnormalities which might have led to her loss of consciousness. It also causes pulmonary edema [ water in lungs] that might have led to froth in mouth. Lack of oxygen made her turn purple. Elderly patients have poor reflexes , that might have led to her aspiration. hope , you cope up with the loss.
Regards.
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Why Did A Dead Old Person Bleed Through Nose And Mouth With Skin Turning Purple?

Hi, I am sorry for your loss. The reason for her death might be aspiration of sea water. Sea water being rich in salt content draws water from the blood resulting in electrolyte abnormalities which might have led to her loss of consciousness. It also causes pulmonary edema [ water in lungs] that might have led to froth in mouth. Lack of oxygen made her turn purple. Elderly patients have poor reflexes , that might have led to her aspiration. hope , you cope up with the loss. Regards.