▼ Summary
– A 61-year-old California man was hospitalized in critical condition after taking herbal supplements for joint pain, leading to months of delirium and intensive care.
– Upon arrival, he exhibited severe symptoms including back pain, fever, nausea, weakness, low blood pressure, high heart and breathing rates, and multiple wounds on his lower body.
– Medical tests revealed Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in his blood, an abscess on his shoulder, and a worsening spinal infection that required surgical intervention.
– He went into hemorrhagic shock from gastrointestinal bleeding, preventing surgery and necessitating transfer to the intensive care unit.
– Further evaluations showed severe inflammation in his esophagus, a stomach ulcer, and a bleeding ulcer in his small intestine, with his condition deteriorating to require intubation.
A 61-year-old California man spent months hospitalized in critical condition after a regimen of herbal supplements he used for joint pain triggered a cascade of severe health complications. This alarming case, detailed in a recent medical journal, underscores the potential dangers of unregulated natural remedies and highlights how seemingly benign products can provoke life-threatening reactions.
The patient arrived at a San Francisco hospital with a confusing array of symptoms that had developed rapidly over just two days. He reported intense back pain, a high fever, persistent nausea, and significant abdominal bloating. His appetite had vanished, and profound weakness left him unable to walk or get out of bed without assistance. Medical staff noted his elevated heart and breathing rates, coupled with dangerously low blood pressure. Multiple wounds in different stages of healing were also observed across his lower body.
Initial diagnostic tests delivered a critical finding: Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was present in his bloodstream. Further examination revealed an abscess on his shoulder and a serious infection affecting his spine and the surrounding area, which was progressively worsening. Surgeons planned an emergency procedure to relieve mounting pressure on his spinal cord and nerves, but the plan was abruptly halted. The man’s blood pressure plummeted further, and he entered hemorrhagic shock due to significant bleeding in his gastrointestinal tract, necessitating an immediate transfer to the intensive care unit.
In the ICU, a thorough evaluation of his digestive system uncovered extensive damage. Doctors found severe inflammation in his esophagus, a stomach ulcer, and an actively bleeding ulcer in the upper section of his small intestine. Although medical teams managed to stabilize the gastrointestinal bleeding, the patient’s condition continued to decline. His blood pressure dropped to even more critical levels, and his breathing became so labored that doctors had to place him on a ventilator to ensure he received enough oxygen.
(Source: Ars Technica)
