Male patient N.V.S (41 years old, residing in Bac Giang), was admitted 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 10kg.
Patient S's family said: The patient started the alkaline ionized water treatment from August 28 to September 17 at a traditional healer's house.
The herbalist recommends drinking 10 liters of alkaline ionized water mixed with salt every day and not eating or drinking anything else to purify the body.
During the treatment at the herbalist's house, the patient stayed with 40-50 other people, all of whom used the same method. Each day, a patient drank water divided into large cups, totaling up to 10 liters, without eating any food. However, after 18 days, the family visited and discovered that the patient was severely exhausted, having lost nearly 10kg, and decided to take him home for care.
On September 20, the patient began to have a high fever, cough, phlegm, and fatigue. Despite being treated at two medical facilities, the patient's health condition did not improve after five days of treatment.
On September 25, the patient was transferred to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases in a state of severe exhaustion and pneumonia on the basis of chronic bronchitis.
At the Intensive Care Unit (Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases), 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 had increased nearly 5 times compared to normal. Doctors diagnosed the patient with dengue fever, pneumonia, and exhaustion on the basis of chronic bronchitis.
The patient is currently indicated for placement of a feeding tube due to poor chewing and swallowing ability and high risk of aspiration syndrome when eating and drinking.
MSc. Dr. Hoang Thi Thom, Department of Nutrition, shared: 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.
Dr. Vo Duc Linh, Department of Intensive Care, said: “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 that can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms, tremors in the hands and feet, etc. When drinking alkaline water combined with fasting, it causes the patient's body to fall 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 the patient.
Doctor Linh advised: The patient was lucky to be taken to the hospital in time. If he had continued to drink alkaline ionized water without eating more during the 26-day treatment as instructed, no one could guarantee that the patient would survive. Just because of lack of knowledge and blind trust in unscientific treatment methods, the patient was at risk of death due to physical exhaustion. Therefore, when sick, people should not listen to unscientific treatment methods but should visit specialized medical facilities.
