81-Year-Old Man Suffers Acute Kidney Failure After Two Days Without Water; Doctor Warns of Fatal Arrhythmia Risk

(Central News Agency, reporter Su Muchun, Taichung, 12th) Family members of an 81-year-old man surnamed Lin in Taichung found him unwell after he had not eaten or drunk for two days and sent him to the hospital. Examination revealed acute kidney failure and arrhythmia, which could have been fatal. He stabilized after treatment. Doctors remind the public to monitor the dietary and fluid intake of the elderly and seek medical attention immediately if abnormalities are observed.

Taichung Municipal Geriatric Rehabilitation General Hospital issued a press release today stating that Mr. Lin has hypertension and can generally manage his daily life, preparing his own meals, with family visiting regularly in the mornings and evenings. Recently, due to busy work schedules, the family did not contact him for two consecutive days. When they visited on the third day, they found him lethargic and weak, and immediately took him to the emergency room.

Upon arrival, Mr. Lin showed clear signs of dehydration. Tests revealed a creatinine level of 7.33mg/dL (normal value less than 1.3mg/dL) and a blood potassium level of 8.3mmol/L (normal value 3.4 to 4.7mmol/L). An electrocardiogram also showed arrhythmia changes, indicating a potentially fatal condition at any moment.

Dr. Wang Chieh-Hsien, Director of the Nephrology Department, stated that after questioning by the medical team, it was learned that the patient had hardly eaten or drunk anything for two days, consuming only a small amount of liquid meal replacement. Due to prolonged lack of water, blood flow to the kidneys was insufficient, leading to a rapid deterioration of kidney function. The kidneys could not properly eliminate waste and potassium ions from the body, causing acute kidney failure and severe hyperkalemia.

The patient was treated with intravenous calcium to stabilize myocardial cell membranes, and insulin combined with glucose to rapidly move potassium ions from the blood into cells, lowering the blood potassium level. After emergency treatment, the blood potassium gradually decreased from 8.3mmol/L to 6.3mmol/L, and the arrhythmia improved. The patient was then transferred to a ward for intravenous fluid supplementation and kidney function monitoring. His kidney function gradually stabilized, and he was successfully discharged.

Dr. Wang explained that when the body lacks water, blood flow to the kidneys decreases, affecting their ability to filter and eliminate waste. Once kidney function deteriorates rapidly, metabolic waste products (such as potassium ions) in the blood cannot be excreted normally, leading to elevated concentrations and acute kidney failure. Some hypertension patients use antihypertensive drugs, which, while protecting the cardiovascular system and kidneys, can also inhibit potassium ion excretion. If dehydration occurs simultaneously, it can easily trigger hyperkalemia.

He reminded caregivers to pay special attention to the daily dietary and fluid intake of the elderly. If the elderly show symptoms such as thirst, decreased urine output, fatigue, muscle weakness, or palpitations, they should seek medical examination promptly. (Editor: Li Xizhang) 1150612