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electriclandFrom The Lancet, 25 September 2004 (emphasis mine):
Coca-Cola and kangaroos
David W Mudge, David W Johnson
Lancet 2004; 364: 1190
Department of Nephrology, (D W Mudge MBBS, D W Johnson PhD) Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Correspondence to: Dr David Mudge dmudge@mail.rah.sa.gov.au
In March, 2002, a 44-year-old ostrich farmer from outback Australia experienced a sudden onset of muscle weakness after returning home from an evening of shooting kangaroos. He had difficulty getting out of his bath, and had to wait on the floor for assistance because he was unable to stand. Over the following hour his weakness progressed, and he was taken by ambulance to the local hospital. He had no other symptoms and denied any history of recent drug use, alcohol consumption, or exposure to toxins. He had been previously fit and well, with no significant medical history.
On examination we found generalised muscular weakness (grade 2/5). All deep tendon reflexes were present, and sensation was normal.... Blood tests showed hypokalaemia (1·4 mmol/L), and increased serum creatine kinase (289 U/L). Simultaneous urinalysis showed inappropriate kaliuresis (17·4 mmol/L) and osmotic diuresis (1160 mOsm/24 h).... We treated him with intravenous fluids, and his serum potassium concentration normalised within 24 h. He was extubated the next day and rapidly regained normal muscle strength. On further questioning, the patient admitted consuming approximately 4 L of Coca-Cola most days, and up to 10 L when he went kangaroo shooting at night. Kangaroos are considered to be agricultural pests in this region, and deliberate culls are done on a regular basis. He had been drinking these quantities of cola for the previous 3 years, and admitted to having polyuria and nocturia over the same period. We advised him to curtail his cola drinking, and over the next few days, his serum potassium remained normal on an ad-libitum diet, without requiring supplementation. When last seen, in October, 2002, he had continued to avoid soft drinks and was healthy, with no further complaints....
It goes on. To sum up: Moderation in all things, boys and girls. Coca-Cola consumption in excess of 10 L/day may result in hypokalaemic myopathy, resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis, and a diminished ability to hunt kangaroos. Now you know.
...uh. I guess I need some kind of medical icon now, don't I?
Coca-Cola and kangaroos
David W Mudge, David W Johnson
Lancet 2004; 364: 1190
Department of Nephrology, (D W Mudge MBBS, D W Johnson PhD) Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Correspondence to: Dr David Mudge dmudge@mail.rah.sa.gov.au
In March, 2002, a 44-year-old ostrich farmer from outback Australia experienced a sudden onset of muscle weakness after returning home from an evening of shooting kangaroos. He had difficulty getting out of his bath, and had to wait on the floor for assistance because he was unable to stand. Over the following hour his weakness progressed, and he was taken by ambulance to the local hospital. He had no other symptoms and denied any history of recent drug use, alcohol consumption, or exposure to toxins. He had been previously fit and well, with no significant medical history.
On examination we found generalised muscular weakness (grade 2/5). All deep tendon reflexes were present, and sensation was normal.... Blood tests showed hypokalaemia (1·4 mmol/L), and increased serum creatine kinase (289 U/L). Simultaneous urinalysis showed inappropriate kaliuresis (17·4 mmol/L) and osmotic diuresis (1160 mOsm/24 h).... We treated him with intravenous fluids, and his serum potassium concentration normalised within 24 h. He was extubated the next day and rapidly regained normal muscle strength. On further questioning, the patient admitted consuming approximately 4 L of Coca-Cola most days, and up to 10 L when he went kangaroo shooting at night. Kangaroos are considered to be agricultural pests in this region, and deliberate culls are done on a regular basis. He had been drinking these quantities of cola for the previous 3 years, and admitted to having polyuria and nocturia over the same period. We advised him to curtail his cola drinking, and over the next few days, his serum potassium remained normal on an ad-libitum diet, without requiring supplementation. When last seen, in October, 2002, he had continued to avoid soft drinks and was healthy, with no further complaints....
It goes on. To sum up: Moderation in all things, boys and girls. Coca-Cola consumption in excess of 10 L/day may result in hypokalaemic myopathy, resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis, and a diminished ability to hunt kangaroos. Now you know.
...uh. I guess I need some kind of medical icon now, don't I?
