Drinking alkaline water mixed with salt, man in critical condition

Male patient NVS (41 years old, residing in Bac Giang) was taken to the Intensive Care Unit, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases in a state of severe exhaustion.

The patient had a history of chronic bronchitis. Due to poor health, the patient went to a traditional healer and was "advised" to drink alkaline ionized water mixed with salt. After 18 days of applying the alkaline water regimen without eating, the patient lost nearly 10 kg.

According to the patient's family, he started the alkaline ionized water treatment from August 28 to September 17 at a traditional healer's house. The healer advised him to drink 10 liters of alkaline ionized water mixed with salt every day and not eat or drink anything else to "purify the body."

The patient is receiving intensive treatment at the hospital. Photo: BVCC

During his treatment at the herbalist's house, he stayed with 40-50 other people, all of whom used the same method. Each day, a patient drank water in large doses, up to 10 liters in total, without eating any food.

However, after 18 days, the patient's family visited and discovered that he was severely exhausted, had lost nearly 10 kg, and decided to take him home for care.

On September 20, the patient began to have a high fever of 39.8 degrees, accompanied by a cough, a lot of phlegm and fatigue. He was treated locally but did not improve. On September 25, the patient was transferred to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases in a state of severe exhaustion, pneumonia on the background of chronic bronchitis.

Here, the patient was admitted in a state of exhaustion with a very low nutritional index. Tests showed low blood protein levels. The patient had muscle atrophy and loss of subcutaneous fat, and significantly weakened muscle strength.

In addition, the patient's liver enzyme index increased nearly 5 times compared to normal. Doctors diagnosed the patient with dengue fever, pneumonia and exhaustion on the basis of chronic bronchitis.

Currently, the patient is indicated for placement of a feeding tube because of poor chewing and swallowing ability and high risk of aspiration syndrome when eating and drinking.

Be careful when treating illness with herbalists

Dr. Vo Duc Linh, Department of Intensive Care, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said that drinking alkaline ionized water has no scientific basis and cannot replace medicine. Drinking large amounts of alkaline water for a long time can change the body's normal PH level, causing metabolic alkalosis, which can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms, tremors in the hands and feet, etc.

When combining alkaline water with fasting, the patient's body falls into a state of severe exhaustion. The problem of exhaustion combined with infection makes the infection more severe, making it difficult to treat and recover for the patient.

" This patient was lucky to be taken to the hospital in time. If he had continued to drink alkaline ionized water without eating during the 26-day treatment as instructed, no one could guarantee that the patient would survive, " said Dr. Linh.

According to MSc. Dr. Hoang Thi Thom - Department of Nutrition, Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the patient is currently facing many serious risks, including the possibility of refeeding syndrome. This is a condition in which the body has an abnormal reaction when receiving nutrition again after a long period of fasting, leading to life-threatening complications. Therefore, the patient is closely monitored and has a meticulous nutritional intervention plan to restore her health.

From this case, experts recommend that when sick, people should not listen to unscientific treatment methods but should visit medical facilities for timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid possible complications.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/nguoi-dan-ong-o-bac-giang-nguy-kich-sau-khi-uong-10-lit-nuoc-kiem-pha-muoi-moi-ngay-17224092716104727.htm