On 18/7, Bac Ninh General Hospital No. 1 reported admitting a patient experiencing persistent abdominal pain, fatigue, and mild distension. Two days prior, she had been discharged from a local medical facility after treatment for partial bowel obstruction, but her symptoms returned.

The patient revealed she had practiced saltwater and lemon "detox" enemas at home for six months, two to three times a week. Her husband had also followed this regimen for almost a year.

A CT scan revealed bowel obstruction, extensive inflammation of the small intestine and rectum, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, and, critically, necrosis in the sigmoid colon, necessitating emergency surgery.

Surgeons removed the necrotic section of the sigmoid colon and created a colostomy. Five days post-surgery, the patient was stable, fever-free, with a soft abdomen, and able to eat light meals.

Dr. Tran Nhat Hung, Head of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, described the situation as extremely dangerous. Without prompt detection and surgery, the necrosis could have led to colon perforation, peritonitis, sepsis, and death.

The human body has natural detoxification mechanisms through the liver, kidneys, and intestines. Unnecessary interventions like improper enemas offer no benefits and pose serious health risks.

Doctors strongly advise against self-administering enemas or "detox" treatments using lemon, salt, coffee, or any unregulated solutions. These methods lack scientific basis and can cause bowel motility disorders, damage the intestinal lining, disrupt electrolyte balance, and lead to severe complications like bleeding, ulcers, perforation, and necrosis.

Thuy Quynh