My mother died of congestive heart failure. There were many days when she did not urinate, she had a catherer. Her body held so much fluid in it. Is there such a thing as drowning in your own fluids?

First let me say that I am sorry for your loss. I completely understand as I went through it this summer with my father.

It is very hard to explain. CHF is a very complicated disease of which there is no cure, but there are treatments to help.

People with CHF tend to retain fluid and get what is called ascites (swelling usually around the abdomen), but they don't drown in the technical sense as having fluid built up in their lungs as if they drowned in a pool.

Have you read this? It is a very easy read with a lot of good information.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Information on MedicineNet.com (http://www.medicinenet.com/congestive_heart_failure/article.htm#1whatis)

I think chf is where there is excessive pressure against the external area of the heart from the fluid buildup causing the heart to not be able to beat because it has not got the room to expand and contract as it normally would.