Man hospitalized after drinking one cup of herbal medicine every day.

The 57-year-old man, who drank one cup of the medicine every day, had to be rushed to the emergency room in a semi-conscious state. Tests revealed heart failure, sepsis that had spread to the brain, and hepatic coma.

Abusing traditional herbal remedies can put extra strain on the liver.

Mr. HL (57 years old, residing in Ho Chi Minh City) used to drink about 1 liter of alcohol daily without regular health checkups. About 5 years ago, Mr. L. was diagnosed with stage C cirrhosis. Recently, he experienced jaundice, swollen legs, and abdominal distension, so he took traditional medicine hoping to improve his liver function and cure his illness. He drank one cup of the medicine with each meal but continuously vomited. Afterward, he received treatment at a nearby hospital, but his fatigue worsened, accompanied by loss of appetite.

Mr. L. was admitted to a hospital in Tan Son Hoa ward (Ho Chi Minh City) for emergency treatment in a state of progressively worsening abdominal distension, a protruding navel, and a state of drowsiness, loss of consciousness, and unawareness of his surroundings.

Dr. Hoang Dinh Thanh, a specialist in endoscopic gastrointestinal surgery (the patient's doctor), stated that Mr. L.'s test results showed a significantly elevated Procalcitonin (PCT - an indicator of infection) level of 3.7 ng/mL (normal is below 0.05 ng/mL), suggesting severe sepsis. The level indicating heart failure was seven times higher than normal. The doctor diagnosed the man with grade 3 hepatic coma, sepsis, and a high risk of severe heart failure.

The patient received intensive treatment including ammonia detoxification, infection control, and electrolyte balance adjustment. During the critical phase, the doctor prescribed hemodialysis to remove toxins and improve liver and kidney function.

Dr. Thanh explained that hepatic coma occurs when the liver is no longer able to eliminate toxins, causing them to accumulate in the blood and enter the brain. This accumulation of toxins can also damage other organs and affect neurological functions.

Western medicines, traditional herbal remedies, and tobacco products may all contain active ingredients that have therapeutic effects. However, if the origin, composition, dosage, and usage recommendations are unclear, it is difficult to guarantee their effectiveness and safety.

In particular, people with cirrhosis should not self-medicate or use drugs indiscriminately. A weakened liver is very susceptible to further damage when exposed to unverified active ingredients or impurities.

In fact, many medicinal herbs may be dried with sulfur or mixed with preservatives to prevent mold. When ingested, these substances can cause digestive disorders, liver and kidney damage, and even threaten the lives of patients with chronic liver disease.

For people with liver disease, Dr. Thanh recommends regular check-ups with their doctor every 3-6 months. If symptoms such as fatigue, unusually excessive sleep, mood changes, forgetfulness, slurred speech, or a "liver odor" on the breath occur, they should go to the hospital immediately for timely treatment.

According to Vietnamnet

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/nguoi-dan-ong-cap-cuu-vi-uong-1-chen-thuoc-nam-moi-ngay-525550.html