A 44-year-old man in Taiwan working at a construction site was recently diagnosed with acute kidney failure and metabolic acidosis after suffering from heat-related illness while working in extreme heat. Fortunately, he recovered and was discharged after three days of hospital treatment.
The man said he often worked outdoors under scorching sun, sweating heavily with his clothes soaked, but rarely drank water and had not urinated for two consecutive days. On the day of the incident, he suddenly felt dizzy, experienced blurred vision and severe pain in his upper right and lower left abdomen, and nearly collapsed. Fortunately, his coworkers noticed and rushed him to the hospital.
Upon arrival, his blood pressure was dangerously low, nearly in shock. Tests revealed his blood urea nitrogen level had surged to 60.2 mg/dL (normal range: 7–20 mg/dL), and his creatinine level was 6.74 mg/dL (normal: 0.7–1.3 mg/dL), along with abnormal metabolic indicators such as high phosphate levels. He was diagnosed with acute kidney failure and metabolic acidosis. After prompt and aggressive treatment, his vital signs gradually stabilized, and he was discharged in stable condition.
Doctors noted a more than 30% increase in heat-related illness cases compared to the same period last year. Nephrologist Dr. Chen Tsai-Feng warned that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can easily lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, especially among outdoor workers. Severe dehydration can cause acute kidney failure and altered consciousness. He stressed the importance of drinking sufficient water regularly, not just when feeling thirsty, to avoid irreversible health damage.
