What happens if you shoot water into your vein?

Answer 1

Distilled water causes cells to lyse, so injecting distilled water into a vein will cause some degree of hemolysis. Hemolysis is the rupture of red blood cells. A small amount of distilled water would quickly mix with the blood and would cause little to no noticeable damage. A large amount of distilled water would cause much more damage, not just limited to hemolysis. Among other things, large amounts of pure water introduced to the body would alter the electrolyte composition of blood, which could cause brain damage or cardiac arrest and death. This is why fluids are administered to patients as saline (which includes an appropriate amount of salt), and also why athletes prefer to drink fluids with electrolytes as opposed to pure water.

Answer 2

If it's not a lot of water, and the water and syringe/needle are sterile --- nothing. The question of course will be sterility, as if it isn't sterile, you've pierced the skin and may have introdued something into your system. I can't think of any medical procedure that would require this, at least without more information.

Answer 3

Water is hypotonic (containing no solute.) If you put a red blood cell in water, through osmosis (area of greater water to less water.) The pure water is said to be hypotonic. Hypotonic solutions cause rbc to burst or lyse. Because of hemolysis water injecting isn't advised.

Answer 4

nothing happens at all. a few of my friends and myself have done it, and nothing happens.

Answer 5

No. Not if the water is sterile and/or filtered