Special emergency treatment for Korean male tourist after inhaling laughing gas

(Dan Tri) - A male Korean tourist was hospitalized in an agitated, critical state, and was diagnosed with laughing gas poisoning.

On July 4, People's Hospital 115 informed about a special emergency case of a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for a male Korean tourist.

During a shift at the Emergency Department, People's Hospital 115 received a male patient (44 years old, Korean nationality) in critical condition. This person was found unconscious on the streets of central Ho Chi Minh City, without identification papers, without anyone accompanying him, and with many scratches on his body.

Laughing gas can be easily found at entertainment venues (Illustration photo).

The patient has acute neurological symptoms including disorientation of space and time, agitated screaming, involuntary movements, and the risk of harming themselves and others. In addition, the patient also has symptoms of acute kidney injury.

Laboratory and imaging results allow the exclusion of causes due to central nervous system infections, metabolic disorders, traumatic brain injury, and stroke.

Faced with the challenge of lack of information about medical history, language barriers and critical condition, the medical team activated emergency procedures, coordinating with the 115 Emergency Center and the Korean Consulate to verify identity.

Through multidisciplinary consultation and indirect testimony from Embassy staff, doctors determined that the victim was poisoned by N2O gas in laughing balloons.

After 13 days of intensive treatment with behavioral control, fluid infusion, and close monitoring, the patient gradually recovered. Renal function improved, consciousness was stable, and vital signs were normal.

According to a representative of People's Hospital 115, this is a remarkable result of multidisciplinary coordination in conditions of limited information.

Laughing gas is the common name for Nitrous Oxide (N2O), a colorless, slightly sweet-smelling substance that is legally used in medicine as a mild anesthetic. However, when used for recreational purposes, N2O becomes an extremely dangerous hallucinogen, especially when inhaled directly in high doses or in a closed space.

When introduced into the body, N2O gas has the ability to inactivate the enzyme methionine synthase, inhibit DNA synthesis and affect the process of myelin formation in the peripheral and central nervous system. Users may experience neurological symptoms such as paresthesia, limb weakness, loss of balance, memory loss, and even posterior spinal cord degeneration on MRI.

In addition, N2O gas can also cause acute mental disorders (auditory hallucinations, paranoia, agitation or delirium); respiratory failure and cardiac arrest due to alveolar oxygen replacement or respiratory center inhibition when used in high doses; cardiac arrhythmia, especially increased risk of sudden death when combined with other stimulants such as alcohol, cocaine, ketamine...

In addition, laughing gas also causes anemia by inhibiting the absorption of vitamin B12.

Despite being warned by many health organizations around the world , N2O gas is still easily accessible in many big cities, in the form of mini gas cylinders sold directly or with entertainment services at night spots.

Recently, the number and complexity of hospitalizations due to laughing gas poisoning recorded at hospitals has been increasing. Particularly alarming is the increase in the rate of foreigners, tourists , workers, students and pupils becoming victims due to lack of understanding and subjectivity about health consequences.

According to doctors, regulatory agencies are increasing monitoring of the circulation of N2O gas, especially at entertainment service establishments.

In addition, health organizations, schools and the media launch educational campaigns about the consequences of laughing gas use.

In addition, the community also needs to work together to detect, report and intervene early with behaviors that risk affecting mental health.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/ca-cap-cuu-dac-biet-cho-nam-du-khach-nguoi-han-quoc-sau-hut-bong-cuoi-20250704140839440.htm