Drinking alkaline water mixed with salt, man in critical condition

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

The patient had a history of chronic bronchitis. Due to poor health, the patient sought help from a traditional healer and was advised to drink alkaline ionized water mixed with salt. As a result, after 18 days of following this alkaline water regimen without eating, the patient lost nearly 10 kg.

According to the family, the patient began a course of alkaline ionized water from August 28th to September 17th at the home of a traditional healer. The healer advised drinking 10 liters of alkaline ionized water mixed with salt daily and refraining from eating or drinking anything else to "detoxify the body."

The patient is receiving intensive treatment at the hospital. (Photo: Provided by the hospital)

During his treatment at the traditional healer's house, he stayed with 40-50 other people, all following the same method. Each day, a patient drank water in large portions, totaling up to 10 liters, 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 20th, the patient developed a high fever of 39.8 degrees Celsius, accompanied by coughing, excessive phlegm, and fatigue. Local treatment was provided, but the condition did not improve. On September 25th, the patient was transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in a severely weakened state, with pneumonia superimposed on chronic bronchitis.

Here, the patient was admitted in a state of severe malnutrition with very low nutritional status. Tests showed low blood protein levels. The patient suffered from muscle atrophy and loss of subcutaneous fat, and muscle strength was significantly weakened.

In addition, the patient's liver enzyme levels had increased nearly five times compared to normal. Doctors diagnosed the patient with dengue fever, pneumonia, and exhaustion on a background of chronic bronchitis.

Currently, the patient has been prescribed a feeding tube due to poor chewing and swallowing ability and a high risk of aspiration during eating.

Exercise caution when seeking treatment from traditional healers.

Dr. Vo Duc Linh, from the Intensive Care Unit at the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, stated that drinking alkaline ionized water lacks scientific basis and does not replace medication. Drinking large quantities of alkaline water over a long period can alter the body's normal pH level, leading to metabolic alkalosis, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms, and tremors.

Combining alkaline water consumption with fasting led to severe physical exhaustion in the patient. This exhaustion, combined with infection, exacerbated the condition, making treatment and recovery more difficult.

" This patient was fortunate to be brought to the hospital in time. If they had continued drinking alkaline ionized water without eating during the 26-day treatment as instructed, no one could guarantee their survival ," Dr. Linh said.

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 developing refeeding syndrome. This is a condition where the body reacts abnormally 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 their health.

Based on this case, experts advise that when ill, people should not follow unscientific treatment methods but should seek examination at medical facilities for timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid potential complications.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/nguoi-dan-ong-o-bac-giang-nguy-kich-after-drinking-10-liters-of-alkaline-water-with-salt-every-day-17224092716104727.htm