A man in his 30s, a resident of Tel Aviv, was rushed to the Poriya Medical Center near Tiberias after experiencing neurological symptoms such as seizures, memory loss, and ringing in the ears. The initial cause of these symptoms was not immediately known. However, one of the doctors at the center identified that they were caused by deliberate inhalation of laughing gas used in whipping cream balloons.
If it weren’t for this realization, the patient’s condition could have been fatal. Doctors contacted the patient’s family members who brought in a cylinder of gas used in siphons for whipping cream. This cylinder contained 2.2 liters of gas, which is much larger than the smaller canisters typically used for household purposes. The patient was treated with mechanical ventilation to help save his life, but the extent of neurological damage was uncertain at that time and further tests were required.
Dr. Moshe Maruf from Poriya Hospital emphasized the increasing trend among young people of using household gas canisters for recreational purposes, often without being aware of their harmful effects on health. Prolonged exposure to this gas can lead to serious health issues such as brain damage, seizures, and chronic psychotic states.
The misuse of household gas canisters has become a growing concern in Israel and highlights the importance of raising awareness about their dangers. The long-term effects on nervous and immune systems can be severe if proper precautions are not taken when using these products for recreational purposes.
The incident serves as a reminder to be cautious when using any product that contains gases or chemicals and to be aware of their potential harm to our health and well-being.