Ms. Han was diagnosed with prediabetes 10 years ago but did not undergo regular examinations or follow-ups. Recently, she consumed lemon and salt water to "detox" her body and engaged in high-intensity exercise for one month, reducing her weight from 66 kg to 57 kg. Subsequently, she frequently felt fatigued, urinated often, developed high blood pressure, and experienced full-body itching, prompting her to visit Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM.
Dr. Tran Dong Hai, Specialist Level I, from the Department of General Internal Medicine, stated that Ms. Han’s blood sugar level was 220 mg/dL (the normal range is approximately 70-99 mg/dL), and her triglyceride levels (bad cholesterol) were double the normal level. She also suffered from 40% coronary artery stenosis and proteinuria (high protein in her urine).
"These are complications from uncontrolled diabetes; prolonged high blood sugar causes coronary atherosclerosis and chronic kidney damage, leading to kidney failure," Dr. Hai explained. He added that the patient's self-treatment with lemon and salt water (containing a large amount of sodium) over an extended period further exacerbated kidney damage. When kidneys are weak, their impaired excretory function allows excess salt to accumulate water, worsening edema, causing itching, and elevating blood pressure.
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Doctor Tran Dong Hai analyzes test results for a patient. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*
Doctors prescribed Ms. Han dialysis three times a week. Concurrently, a treatment plan was developed to control her blood sugar and blood pressure. The patient needs to adhere to a specialized diet for diabetes and kidney failure, which includes controlling fluid intake, eating a low-sodium diet, reducing meat and fish to lower blood urea, and limiting high-sugar and high-potassium fruits (such as bananas, grapes, and lychees).
Dr. Hai recommends that adults maintain a habit of annual health check-ups at least once a year. Patients with prediabetes or diabetes should revisit their doctors according to their scheduled appointments to monitor their condition. He advises against self-applying unverified traditional remedies to avoid regrettable complications.
Thao Vy
*Patient's name has been changed
On 23/4 at 8:00 PM, Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM, will host an online consultation titled "High-tech in-depth health check-ups, early detection of kidney disease - diabetes - high blood pressure."
The program will feature doctors from the Department of General Internal Medicine, including Dr. Tran Dong Hai, Master of Medicine Dr. Le Trung Cuong, and Dr. Hoang My Linh, Specialist Level I. Readers can submit questions here for consultation.
