19 year old man collapsed and had convulsions while smoking an electronic cigarette

(Dan Tri) - When he saw his friends using e-cigarettes, the young man also tried taking a few puffs. Unexpectedly, he collapsed and had convulsions shortly after. The patient was hospitalized in a coma and acute kidney failure.

On December 9th, Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, Director of the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital, stated that patient HNH (19 years old, from Ninh Binh province) was transferred from a lower-level hospital in a condition requiring sedation and mechanical ventilation. After more than a day, H. was weaned off the ventilator and regained consciousness, but kidney failure progressed very rapidly.

The male patient said that last weekend, when he went to his friend’s house to visit, he saw his friends all using vapes (electronic cigarettes), so he tried it. After only a few puffs, the patient suddenly collapsed and had convulsions.

The male patient was then taken to the emergency room in a coma and with acute kidney failure.

A male patient with acute kidney failure developed severe kidney failure after smoking an electronic cigarette. Doctors are checking the patient's test results on the electronic medical record (Photo: LH).

Dr. Nguyen said that after 3 days of emergency treatment, the patient was awake and able to communicate, but his kidney function was severely damaged. The patient also had mental health problems such as high levels of anxiety and stress, and memory loss.

The specific type of poison has not yet been determined because the patient did not bring the equipment used for testing.

Dr. Nguyen said: "Previously, most patients poisoned by e-cigarettes only suffered brain damage. But recently, many cases have been accompanied by severe kidney failure, with the average age of hospitalization being only about 22 years old."

Not only young people, many adults also fall into the same situation just because of trying e-cigarettes.

Like the case of female patient HMT (38 years old, Bac Ninh ). Before that, at a restaurant, she saw an electronic cigarette on the table so she was curious and tried it "to know". Immediately she collapsed and passed out.

After more than 1 hour, the patient regained consciousness but still had a severe headache, dizziness, chest pain and was taken to Bach Mai Hospital by his family.

Dr. Nguyen said the patient was admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath, exhaustion, slow reaction time, and constant headaches. Tests showed that the patient had severe metabolic acidosis - a common sign of poisoning from synthetic drugs or strong stimulants.

"The brain MRI results showed obvious, dangerous brain damage that could leave long-term sequelae. Cognitive function tests showed that the patient had severe memory loss, almost unable to recognize acquaintances and almost unable to remember new information," Dr. Nguyen informed.

This expert said that there is currently no specific antidote for the synthetic chemicals that are being mixed into e-cigarettes. Treatment relies on respiratory and circulatory support, non-specific detoxification, correction of metabolic disorders and close monitoring of neurological damage.

“Brain damage and cognitive impairment can be long-lasting or permanent,” Dr. Nguyen warned.

In fact, many patients poisoned by e-cigarettes are discharged from the hospital after a long period of treatment but then continue to experience memory loss, decreased concentration, and behavioral disorders.

According to Dr. Nguyen, the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes far exceed those of traditional cigarettes. Not only are they harmful to users, many cases of severe pneumonia in children, pregnant women and people around them have been recorded due to inhaling vapor containing chemicals from these devices.

Besides containing the toxic addictive substance nicotine, e-cigarettes, including heated tobacco products, are the primary breeding ground for new-generation synthetic drugs. These are the most complex drugs, with high toxicity and addictive potential, constantly evolving and most difficult to detect.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/vua-hut-thuoc-la-dien-tu-nam-thanh-nien-19-tuoi-nga-quy-co-giat-20251210083027655.htm