Teenager paralyzed after inhaling 15 ‘laughing gas’ balloons

The teenager experienced numbness and frequent cramps in her limbs before being admitted to Phu Tho General Hospital, where doctors confirmed that her legs were paralyzed. She now relies on a wheelchair.

Doctors attributed her paralysis to damage to the peripheral nervous system, caused by the excessive inhalation of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas.”

Le Thi Bich Thuy, head of the Neurology and Musculoskeletal Department at Phu Tho General Hospital, shared about the case on Thursday, warning that prolonged exposure to nitrous oxide can lead to damage to the peripheral nervous system, with long-term neurological consequences.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with the misuse of nitrous oxide and highlights the importance of enforcing regulations to prevent such incidents.

While nitrous oxide is legally used as an anesthetic for pain relief, it is also misused as a recreational drug due to its hallucinogenic effects.

In 2019, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health banned the recreational use of nitrous oxide balloons, limiting its production strictly for industrial purposes and requiring a doctor’s prescription for human use.