On 4/7, a representative from Nhan Dan 115 Hospital reported that the patient was admitted to the emergency room with severe altered mental status. He was disoriented, agitated, shouting, and exhibiting involuntary movements that posed a danger to himself and those around him. Initial tests also revealed signs of acute kidney injury.
Treatment was challenging due to the language barrier and the patient's disorientation, making it impossible to obtain any information about his medical history. After determining that he was South Korean, the hospital collaborated with the 115 Emergency Center and the South Korean Consulate in Vietnam to verify his identity and contact his family.
Tests and imaging ruled out central nervous system infections, metabolic disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and stroke. Based on the collected data, doctors diagnosed the patient with nitrous oxide poisoning (laughing gas).
After 13 days of intensive treatment, including behavior management, intravenous fluids, and close monitoring, the man's kidney function recovered well, his mental state gradually improved, and his vital signs stabilized.
Laughing gas is the colloquial term for nitrous oxide, a colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor legally used in dentistry and obstetrics as a mild anesthetic. When abused recreationally, it becomes a dangerous hallucinogen, especially when inhaled directly in high doses or in enclosed spaces.
Users may experience various neurological symptoms, such as paresthesia, limb weakness, loss of balance, memory impairment, and even spinal cord degeneration. The gas can also cause acute psychiatric disorders with symptoms including auditory hallucinations, delusions, agitation, or delirium. Patients risk respiratory failure and cardiac arrest due to oxygen deprivation or respiratory center suppression when using high doses. Cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death can occur, especially when combined with other stimulants such as alcohol, cocaine, ketamine, or in cases of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Many people underestimate the harmful effects of laughing gas, leading to abuse and severe health consequences. Laughing gas is classified as a hallucinogenic and addictive substance, and users tend to increase their dosage, leading to dependence similar to other drugs. As of 1/1/2025, Vietnam officially banned the sale and use of laughing gas containing addictive substances.
Le Phuong
