A teenage girl almost died after she ate just small portions of vegetables and laxatives for two weeks in a dangerous attempt to fit into a new birthday dress.
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Mei, a 16-year-old from central China’s Hunan province, had to go through an emergency 12-hour medical procedure after she lapsed into a critical condition as a result of her extreme diet.
For two weeks, Mei ate nothing but a small amount of vegetables and laxatives, according to the mainland news outlet Xiaoxiang Morning Herald.
She was sent to hospital after she suddenly lost strength in her limbs and developed shortness of breath.
Examinations showed that her blood potassium levels had plunged to well below normal.
This resulted in a condition called serious hypokalaemia, which is often caused by an unhealthy diet.
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A doctor at another hospital in Hunan, surnamed Li, said an unbalanced diet and dehydration can lower levels of potassium in the body.
