The 62-year-old man had type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure but did not comply with treatment, intermittent fasting, and only drank rock sugar water, leading to critical complications.
The patient is prescribed daily medication by the district hospital doctor. However, after a month of use, he stopped taking the medicine and did not seek further examination or treatment according to the method of a traditional healer near his home. Specifically, the traditional healer instructs patients to completely fast, only drink rock sugar water mixed with lemon and ginger for 10 consecutive days and then switch to eating starch, not consuming fiber, protein, or fat.
The patient was then taken to the Emergency Department, Central Endocrine Hospital, in a state of acute kidney failure, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, uncontrolled high blood sugar and severe skin infection. Doctors treat aggressively, controlling heart rate, regulating blood sugar, and restoring kidney function. Currently, the patient is stable and ready to be discharged from the hospital.
This case is one of many cases of arbitrarily stopping medication, using treatment methods without scientific basis and being hospitalized with the disease worsening. “Intermittent fasting and unbalanced eating cannot support the treatment of diabetes, and can also cause patients to have serious life-threatening complications if not detected early and treated promptly,” said Dr. Dr. Nguyen Kim Anh, Department of Emergency Medicine, said.
Patients experience many complications after not complying with treatment. Image: BVCC
Diabetes medications are prescribed by your doctor based on your specific medical condition. Abrupt withdrawal may lead to hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, organ failure, or other acute complications. This is a chronic disease and there is currently no non-drug method to completely cure it. Regular blood sugar monitoring helps adjust treatment regimen promptly and avoid long-term complications such as kidney, eye, and nerve damage.
Before changing diet or treatment, patients should consult a specialist. In particular, you need to eat balanced and on time. You should eat lots of green vegetables, foods rich in fiber, limit simple sugars, saturated fats and fast food. Divide meals into small portions to avoid sudden increases in blood sugar.
Maintain light exercise such as walking, swimming or yoga for about 30 minutes a day to effectively increase blood sugar control. Patients need regular follow-up visits for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment adjustments if necessary.