Ba Thanh, who has lived with diabetes for five years, decided to stop her prescribed medication three months ago. She instead consumed two glasses of sugarcane juice and one glass of lemon mixed with salt daily, believing this would "completely cure diabetes". As a result, she lost 10 kg but experienced constant thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and disorientation before being admitted to Tam Anh General Hospital Ho Chi Minh City.

Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Linh, from the Endocrinology and Diabetes Department, reported that Ba Thanh was admitted in a critical hyperosmolar state. Her blood sugar levels were nearly seven times higher than normal, she was severely dehydrated and debilitated, and had a widespread inflamed abscess in her back and left shoulder. Doctors immediately administered fluids, adjusted her electrolyte balance, and used insulin to control her blood sugar.

"Drinking sugarcane juice and lemon mixed with salt to treat diabetes is unscientific and extremely dangerous," Dr. Linh stated. A single glass of sugarcane juice contains 27-30 g of natural sugar, while lemon with salt is high in sodium. Continuous intake of sugar and salt causes prolonged, uncontrolled blood sugar spikes that overwhelm the body's regulatory capacity, damaging blood vessels and nerves, and accelerating severe complications.

Prolonged hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) disrupts metabolism, leading to a hyperosmolar state—an acute complication that causes impaired consciousness, ranging from disorientation to deep coma. Before her hospitalization, Ba Thanh had self-lanced a boil, resulting in a soft tissue infection and the formation of a deep abscess.

Dr. Linh examines Ba Thanh's health. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

After two weeks of treatment, Ba Thanh's condition gradually stabilized. Her fasting blood glucose test showed levels below 7 mmol/l, and post-meal blood glucose was under 10 mmol/l. She made a positive recovery, gained 3 kg, and her mental state returned to normal.

According to Dr. Linh, diabetes is a chronic condition requiring long-term monitoring and strict management. This involves a combination of medication, nutrition, physical activity, regular check-ups, and treatment for any complications that may arise. Patients with diabetes must adhere to their prescribed treatment, never arbitrarily stopping medication or adjusting dosages, and avoid unproven folk remedies to prevent serious complications.

By Bach Duong

*Patient's name has been changed