A 23-year-old woman, KC, was a fitness enthusiast who began intermittent fasting to regulate her diet. Over time, she extended her fasting periods, eventually going without food for almost a week. When she finally ate, she consumed 23 bananas, leading to a rapid spike in insulin levels. Due to her body's sensitivity to insulin, potassium and other electrolytes were quickly absorbed into her cells, causing severe deficiencies. KC was hospitalized with hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, and other electrolyte imbalances, which caused muscle twitching, kidney failure, and other complications. Doctors initially treated her with glucose and vitamins, but this exacerbated the problem. Eventually, they corrected the electrolyte imbalances, and with careful monitoring, KC made a full recovery. The case highlights the risks of refeeding syndrome, particularly in individuals who have fasted for extended periods.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. KC, a 23-year-old woman, started intermittent fasting to regulate her diet.
2. She extended her fasting periods over time, going up to 7 days without eating.
3. After fasting for 7 days, KC ate 23 bananas, which triggered a series of health issues.
4. She experienced a massive headache, stomach swelling, and felt cold and shaky.
5. KC's mother found her on the floor, wheezing and sweating, and called 911.
6. KC was taken to the emergency room, where she was found to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
7. Despite being given a glucose IV, KC's condition worsened, and she developed hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
8. She also had hypokalemia (low potassium), hypocalcemia (low calcium), hypomagnesemia (low magnesium), and hypophosphatemia (low phosphate).
9. KC's kidneys stopped producing urine, and she experienced muscle twitching and heart rate irregularities.
10. A blood test revealed that KC had vitamin deficiencies, which can cause mental status changes.
11. KC's body was sensitive to insulin due to her fasting, which caused her cells to absorb nutrients too quickly.
12. The medical team administered IV vitamins, but starting her on a glucose IV was the wrong decision, given her insulin sensitivity.
13. KC's condition was diagnosed as Refeeding Syndrome, a rare condition that occurs when the body is reintroduced to nutrients after a period of fasting or starvation.
14. KC made a full recovery with careful monitoring, care, and supportive family and friends.