Man Went 40 Days Without Brushing His Teeth and Nearly Died From Sepsis and Kidney Failures in 2018

Acute kidney failure/damage.Photo byWikipedia Commons.

In a shocking case back in 2018, a 46-year-old man named CJ experienced a life-threatening medical crisis after neglecting to brush his teeth for 40 days. What began as a simple toothache quickly spiraled into a condition that put his kidneys and life at risk.

The Start of a Downward Spiral

CJ’s life had taken a series of tragic turns. Once a successful engineer with a happy family, he lost his young son in a freak accident, followed by losing his job, and then his marriage.

These traumatic events led him into a deep depression, resulting in severe weight gain and a total disregard for his personal hygiene. For weeks, CJ lay in bed, consuming unhealthy foods and neglecting basic self-care, including brushing his teeth.

The Dangerous Consequences of Neglect

After 40 days of not brushing his teeth, CJ developed a severe tooth infection. This infection spread to his gums and entered his bloodstream, causing septicemia—a serious blood infection.

As the infection raged, it triggered a cascade of physiological responses that sent CJ into a hyperglycemic crisis. His blood glucose levels skyrocketed to 800 milligrams per deciliter, more than 10 times the normal amount.

This extreme hyperglycemia led to an osmotic imbalance in his body, where excess sugar in the blood pulled water out of his cells, leading to severe dehydration. The kidneys, overwhelmed by the high glucose levels, began to fail, exacerbating the situation.

The Science Behind the Crisis

CJ’s condition is a classic example of how metabolic derangement can occur when the body is overwhelmed by sugar. His obesity and poor diet had made him insulin-resistant, meaning his cells could no longer effectively absorb glucose from his blood.

This left large amounts of sugar circulating in his bloodstream, causing his kidneys to work overtime to excrete it, leading to frequent urination and further dehydration. As CJ’s kidneys struggled to filter the excess glucose, they began to shut down, resulting in acute kidney injury.

The infection from his tooth compounded the problem by triggering a stress response in his body, releasing adrenaline and further elevating his blood sugar levels.

The Path to Recovery

In the hospital, CJ was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition he had unknowingly developed over the years due to his lifestyle.

The immediate priority was to treat his infection with antibiotics and remove the abscessed tooth. To address his severe dehydration, doctors administered up to 20 liters of fluids over 48 hours. This rehydration helped to restore his kidney function and reduce the dangerous levels of glucose in his blood.

CJ’s recovery also involved intravenous insulin to help lower his blood sugar levels and shift water back into his cells. With proper treatment and ongoing medical support, CJ was able to make a full recovery.

Conclusion

CJ’s story is a powerful example of how interconnected our body’s systems are and how something as simple as poor oral hygiene can trigger a chain reaction leading to life-threatening conditions.

As CJ’s case illustrates, taking care of your health—both physical and mental—is essential, and neglecting it can have severe consequences. Regular dental care, a balanced diet, and managing stress are all crucial components of overall well-being.