Perez Hilton says ‘stupidity’ led to 21-day hospital stay – here’s what doctors want you to know

Media personality Perez Hilton recently said she was hospitalized for 21 days after suffering a life-threatening condition. Doctors who specialize in gastrointestinal and family medicine say the case helps illustrate why it’s important to always contact your health care provider.

Hilton, born Mario Lavender, said A video has been posted on YouTube On Monday, he was admitted to the hospital and took medicine without food for a week. He said he took the medicine to treat a cold and “never” took it with food.

“And you have to take all these medications with food because … it can be hard on the stomach or intestines,” he said in the video.

Hilton said he developed an ulcer, which developed into a piercing. The Cleveland Clinic says a perforation is “a hole in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract” and that it requires “urgent medical attention.”

The gossip blogger said he experienced severe stomach pains the day before he was hospitalized and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance the next morning when he reached the point where he “couldn’t walk.” He also developed sepsis, he said.

When Hilton arrived at the hospital, he said he was given several tests, including an X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound to find the hole. He said doctors were initially unable to find the hole and eventually performed laparoscopic surgery, which uses a camera to look inside the abdomen.

“And then I was still so infected that I had to have another major procedure,” he said. He added that before he developed another infection during his stay in the hospital.

Hilton’s experience raises important questions about best practices when taking medications. Dr. Jason Korenblit, a gastroenterologist and digestive health specialist at JustAnswer, told HuffPost that it’s first important to note that Hilton didn’t name the medications she took, so “no one should assume exactly which medication caused it.”

“This is an issue, because the two main FDA-approved prescription antivirals commonly used for influenza, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and baloxavir (Zofluza), can be taken with or without food,” he told HuffPost. “With oseltamivir, food is often recommended simply because it may reduce stomach upset, not because taking it on an empty stomach usually causes ulcers.”

“Baloxavir can be taken with or without food, although patients are advised to avoid taking it with dairy products or with minerals such as calcium or iron as this can interfere with absorption.”

Kornblatt said that based on Hilton’s video, it’s possible he may have taken something with an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

“[Oftentimes] Cold and flu medications, even over the counter medications, contain NSAIDs to help with muscle pain and fever, and if you don’t care about what’s in them, it’s easy to take too much. “Or if you have a very sensitive stomach.”

He later noted that “the most common drug-related culprits for peptic ulcers are NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.”

“These medications can damage the lining of the stomach and increase the risk of ulcers whether they are taken with food or not, although taking them with food may temporarily reduce irritation and discomfort,” he said.

Korenblatt said he wouldn’t say it’s universally true that medications used to treat the flu should be taken with food.

“Some have suggested this method to reduce nausea or stomach irritation, but it has not been said that skipping meals usually leads to stomach ulcers,” he said.

But Korenblatt said it’s important to remember that “take with food” instructions are there for a reason. “Patients should follow them properly, even when the reason is just to reduce itching or improve tolerance,” he said.

Korenblatt said that while generally speaking, it is “very important” to take certain medications with food when directed, “developing an actual peptic ulcer from taking the medication without food is not something I would call common in the average patient.”

“The most common cause of peptic ulcers is H. pylori infection, another major cause of NSAID use,” he continued. Helicobacter pylori infection is a stomach infection. While most people have no symptoms, the infection can cause abdominal pain, bloating and gas, the Mayo Clinic said.

Kornblatt said that Hilton reported having a series of wounds, then perforation, then sepsis “is a known medical pattern, but it’s not common.”

“It’s a complicated process that we’re concerned about because it’s dangerous, not because it’s common,” he said. “The vast majority [of] People who take prescription flu medications do not develop ulcers, and most ulcers do not progress to perforation and sepsis.

“Most people who take medicine on an empty stomach will not develop ulcers,” insists Dr. Brenta Vasagar, a family medicine physician.

“In fact, some drugs are better absorbed on an empty stomach or avoid certain foods or drinks,” she said. “It’s always best to discuss medications with your doctor, who can help you understand the best way to take your medication based on your past medical problems and how the medication works in the body.”

“Less than 15% of wounds lead to perforation, but about a third of these perforations lead to sepsis,” she later added. “While these outcomes are uncommon with flu medications, sepsis is very dangerous and becomes even more dangerous with delayed diagnosis.”

Visager said it’s important to remember that “all medications and supplements, even those you can get over the counter, can seriously affect your health.”

“Make sure you consult with your family doctor, someone you can trust and who knows your history and preferences, so they can help you stay healthy,” she said.

Korenblatt said one important takeaway from Hilton’s story is that severe abdominal pain should never go away.

“Especially if it develops, is associated with weakness, inability to stand or walk normally, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, or a dramatic decline in general condition,” he said.

“Perforated lesions are sometimes difficult to locate quickly, so patients may undergo multiple imaging studies and, in some cases, surgery to identify the source,” he continued. »[Hilton’s] The prevalence of infection found during laparoscopic surgery is consistent with how serious a perforation can be once the infection spreads through the abdomen.”

Korenblatt said it’s important to “never conform to prescription instructions.”

“If the label says to take it with food, do it. If you’re too sick to eat, call your doctor or pharmacist and ask what to do instead of guessing,” he said.

He also emphasized that you should never assume that all abdominal pain is a minor itch from medication, and that experiencing persistent or severe pain deserves immediate medical attention.

In addition, Korenblatt said patients should keep a list of all medications they take — including over-the-counter pain relievers. And finally, he emphasized that having the flu or another infection can lead to complications.

“When people are sick with the flu or another infection, dehydration, poor oral intake, and frequent use of multiple medications all complicate and make it harder for the body to tolerate,” he said.

Always remember to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns or questions you may have about medication instructions or symptoms you are experiencing.