A 60-year-old man visited the emergency department after taking dietary advice from ChatGPT, which led him to eliminate chloride from his diet. The AI suggested replacing chloride with bromide for non-medical purposes. Three months later, he became increasingly paranoid and experienced hallucinations. After being involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital, he received treatment and made a full recovery.
The case report highlights the importance of verifying information from online sources before making significant changes to one’s diet or taking supplements. Bromism, a condition caused by excessive intake of bromide, is relatively rare but can cause severe symptoms, including psychiatric problems. The incident serves as a reminder for medical professionals and individuals to exercise caution when consuming substances that may not be safe in large quantities.
Key findings from the case report include:
* Elevated levels of bicarbonate and chloride in the man’s blood
* Presence of respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis
* Symptoms of bromism, including hallucinations and psychiatric problems
* Full recovery after treatment with intravenous fluids and electrolyte repletion
The incident emphasizes the need for accurate health information and highlights the importance of verifying online advice before taking action.
Source: https://www.medpagetoday.com/emergencymedicine/emergencymedicine/116975