Doctors encounter a variety of patients daily, and some of their experiences can be both baffling and humorous. Here are 20 stories shared by healthcare professionals about their most memorable and, at times, dumbest patients. All these stories are taken from doctors on Reddit.
1. Ignoring Professional Advice: Dumbest Patients
A patient, who feared contracting diseases after using found syringes, refused a tetanus shot, believing vaccines were dangerous. Despite testing negative for any diseases, he remained firm on his anti-vaccine stance, leaving the doctor bewildered, as recounted on Bored Panda. – SealedRoute, Reddit
2. Nutrient Deficiency Due to Beer
A construction worker collapsed and was found to be nutrient deficient. His diet consisted solely of beer, as he skipped meals and only drank alcohol. This alarming lifestyle choice led to severe health issues. – Tthelaundryman, Reddit
3. Misguided Germaphobe
A germaphobe frequently called an ambulance after swallowing razor blades frozen in ice cubes, believing this would kill any germs in her stomach. The paramedics were constantly amazed by her extreme and dangerous attempts to maintain cleanliness. – Finegling, Reddit
4. Dangerous Alternative Diet for Preemies
A mother of premature triplets replaced prescribed baby formula with a raw milk product from Europe. This led to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in all three babies, requiring immediate medical intervention. – MarauderKnight1880, Reddit
5. Electrocution for Herpes: Dumbest Patients
One patient regularly used a 9V battery to electrocute his genitals, believing it treated his herpes. This method, shockingly dangerous and ineffective, left the medical staff astounded, according to Bored Panda. – thrwayrap, Reddit
6. Superglue as Dental Adhesive
A dentist had to repeatedly tell a patient not to superglue his tooth back in place. Despite the warnings, the patient continued this hazardous practice. – chowchowracer, Reddit
7. Expired Vegetables and Severe Diarrhea
A woman ate a bag of expired vegetables, thinking they smelled like kimchi, which she liked. This resulted in severe diarrhea, highlighting the risks of consuming spoiled food- Scott Ross , Reddit
8. Allergic to Water
A diabetic patient believed she was allergic to water and only drank Coca-Cola. This misconception severely affected her health and required significant medical attention. – Famous-Comparison595
9. The Importance of Professional Medical Advice
A nutritionist dealt with a man who only drank beer, neglecting all forms of food. His nutrient deficiency was so severe that it led to his collapse, underscoring the dangers of an unbalanced diet. – Tthelaundryman
10. Home Remedies Gone Wrong: Dumbest Patients
A patient with recurrent infected leg ulcers let her dog lick them clean instead of following medical advice. This unhygienic practice exacerbated her condition. – Doctoria_96
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11. Misunderstanding of Symptoms
A patient came to the ER with a severe infection caused by self-administered urine eye drops. Despite warnings, she believed in the supposed healing properties of urine, leading to serious eye issues. – StoicAscent
12. Post-Surgery Misjudgment
A patient leg-pressed his truck’s engine back into place two weeks after hip replacement surgery, resulting in severe pain and damage. Ignoring post-surgery guidelines can lead to serious setbacks. – syncopation_fracture
13. Delayed Medical Attention
A patient ignored a festering wound on his face until maggots began falling into his cereal. The delay in seeking medical help made the situation much worse. – DeffectiveNecessary
14. Coca-Cola as Water Substitute
A diabetic woman, believing she was allergic to water, only drank Coca-Cola. This dangerous misconception led to critical health issues, emphasizing the need for proper hydration. – Famous-Comparison595
15. DIY Dental Fixes: Dumbest Patients
Patients attempting to fix their dental issues with household items, like superglue, often end up causing more harm than good. Professional dental care is crucial for proper treatment.
16. Post-Op Mishap
A patient misunderstood post-operative care instructions and performed strenuous activities, leading to complications. Following medical advice post-surgery is essential for recovery. – syncopation_fracture
17. Using Street Drugs
A patient picked up used syringes from the street and used them, fearing he contracted diseases. Despite testing negative, his refusal of a tetanus shot showed the depth of his mistrust in vaccines. – SealedRoute
18. Bizarre Home Treatments
A woman swallowed bug spray after ingesting a cockroach, believing it would kill the insect inside her. This dangerous action resulted in severe health issues. – Heroic-Forger
19. Ignorance of Personal Health
A man lived on beer, refusing to eat solid food. This extreme lifestyle choice led to a severe nutrient deficiency, requiring immediate medical intervention. – thedelphiking
20. Perception of Illness: Dumbest Patients
A lawyer had a client who believed she lost her brain after a car accident. Another client wanted to sue the post office for potential exposure to honey, mistaking it for toxic chemicals. These cases highlight the importance of clear communication and understanding in healthcare and legal situations.
These stories serve as a reminder of the importance of proper medical advice, the dangers of self-diagnosis, and the sometimes shocking lack of common sense that healthcare professionals encounter daily. – Carnilinguist
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21. The Case of the Abdominal Pain and Pine Sol Incident
A man walked into the ER with severe abdominal pain. As the medical team gathered his history, they uncovered a series of concerning details:
He had just been released from prison a few days prior.
He was living in his mother’s house, which had mold growing openly on the walls and ceiling.
While walking through the kitchen, he spotted an amber liquid in a plastic cup on top of the fridge and, thinking it was something harmless, tossed it back. He had just swallowed Pine-Sol.
A CT scan revealed intussusception of the small intestine.
While waiting for a surgery consult, a small amount of blood was noticed on his sock. Upon removing it, a gunshot wound was discovered. He nonchalantly mentioned, “Oh, yeah, I was walking around twirling a gun and shot myself in the foot.”
This bizarre combination of events highlighted the man’s nonchalant attitude towards serious health issues, baffling the medical staff.
22. The Tea Mystery
In a Pain Clinic, a doctor was perplexed by a middle-aged patient who complained of severe insomnia due to frequent urination, up to 20 times a day, with at least 10 occurrences overnight. Suspecting undiagnosed diabetes, the doctor checked his labs, which were normal. When asked about his caffeine intake, the patient revealed he drank 30-35 cups of tea daily because he heard staying hydrated was important. This absurd amount of tea was the cause of his frequent urination and sleepless nights. – SteakandTrach
23. Pancake Syrup for Wound Healing
A diabetic patient misunderstood the benefits of using honey on wounds and decided to use pancake syrup on his poorly-healing foot ulcers. This misguided attempt to heal his wounds only worsened his condition, illustrating the dangers of misinformation and assumptions in medical care. – lambzzzzzzz
24. Heart Failure and Pickle Juice
A heart failure patient frequently hospitalized for exacerbations was repeatedly advised to limit salt and water intake. Despite the warnings, she continued to drink pickle juice at home, exacerbating her condition and leading to more hospital visits. This story underscores the challenge of patient compliance with dietary restrictions. – zimmer199
25. Stroke and Medication Misunderstandings
A rehab hospital patient believed his stroke was caused by high blood pressure that was “cured” by medication, so he stopped taking it. Despite warnings from doctors, he insisted the medication was unnecessary. This misunderstanding led to repeated strokes and severe health consequences, highlighting the critical need for clear communication between doctors and patients. – naranghim
26. The Sodium Confusion
In a cardiology unit, a patient was told to follow a low-salt diet due to fluid retention. He confidently told his family that he didn’t add salt to his food, thinking he was compliant. However, he then asked the nurse to pick up his Wingstop garlic wings, illustrating a fundamental misunderstanding of dietary sodium sources and the need for better nutritional education. – NoNet833
27. Acid Reflux and Seltzer Water
A dentist encountered a patient who complained about his teeth hurting all the time and worsening acid reflux. It turned out the patient had been drinking six liters of seltzer water daily to lose weight. This excessive intake of carbonated water caused severe acid reflux and dental erosion, highlighting the importance of moderation and understanding the impacts of dietary choices on health. – buccal_up
28. The Eye Pain from Neglected Contacts
An army medic during a desert training mission treated a soldier who complained of eye pain. The soldier had left his one-a-day contacts in for three weeks. This neglect led to severe discomfort and potential eye damage, emphasizing the need for proper hygiene and adherence to medical guidelines, even in challenging conditions.
29. Scurvy from a Monotonous Diet
A university student developed scurvy from a diet consisting only of chicken tenders. This condition, often associated with historical seafaring days, showcased the critical need for a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, even in modern times. – Wannawiz
30. The Mini Horse Emotional Support Animal
A hospital security officer had to escort a woman out who brought her emotional support mini horse to visit a family member. The woman was baffled as to why the horse was not allowed into the hospital room, highlighting the sometimes extreme interpretations of emotional support animal policies. – meganthebro
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31. The Skid Mark Diagnosis
In a urology clinic, a patient with an inflamed rash on his scrotum tried numerous treatments without success. Upon examination, the doctor noticed a smell and a skid mark on the exam table paper. It turned out the patient was not washing properly, leading to a chronic rash. This case illustrated the importance of basic hygiene practices. – Cananbaum
32. The Fasting Imitation Gone Wrong
A highly religious man attempted to mimic Jesus’s 40-day fast and ended up severely malnourished, requiring hospitalization and a feeding tube. Despite the severe consequences, he remained steadfast in his beliefs, showing the potential dangers of extreme religious practices without medical supervision. – Marmoset_Walking
33. Misguided Health Practices
Several patients exhibited a baffling lack of understanding of their conditions and treatments. From a diabetic patient convinced that high blood sugar levels were normal to a man with IBS who believed fast food was healthy because it contained vegetables, these cases highlight the critical need for better health education and patient compliance. – DSM2TNS
34. The Ambulance Taxi Service
A woman, dissatisfied with a 30-minute ER wait time, called another ambulance to take her to a different hospital 20 minutes away. This misuse of emergency services became a joke among hospital staff but also underscored the strain such actions place on the healthcare system. – healthybowl
35. The Disappearing Mother
In an obstetrical unit, a mother who had just given birth to a baby addicted to opiates left the hospital for a smoke break and never returned. Months later, she reappeared asking for her baby, who had been taken into child protection services. This case illustrates the tragic impact of addiction on families. –
36. The Powder Pain Relief
A patient with a severely inflamed wound applied the powder from pain reliever capsules directly to the wound, not realizing they were meant to be ingested. This misunderstanding of medication usage highlighted the need for clear instructions and patient education. – lissyorkiedork
37. Fluid Restriction Confusion
A dialysis patient on a strict fluid restriction came in with severe volume overload. He insisted he only drank eight ounces of water a day but failed to mention the gallon of milk he consumed daily. This misunderstanding of fluid restrictions emphasized the importance of comprehensive patient education. – EulaVengeance
38. Tea for Thirst
A patient, instructed to drink more fluids, chose to drink several gallons of sweet tea daily. This led to severe dehydration due to the high sugar content, exacerbating his condition. This case underscored the need for specific guidance on appropriate fluids for hydration.
39. Essential Oils Gone Wrong
A patient with asthma used essential oils excessively, believing they would help his condition. Instead, the oils triggered severe asthma attacks, requiring multiple ER visits. This situation highlighted the risks of alternative treatments without medical consultation. – Azby504
40. Misinterpreting Fast Food
A man with severe dietary restrictions continued eating fast food, believing it was healthy due to the presence of lettuce and tomatoes in burgers. This misunderstanding of nutritional content led to worsening health conditions, emphasizing the importance of accurate dietary information. Ancient_Wisdom_Yall
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41. The Chicken Wing Choking Hazard
A man came into the ER choking on a chicken wing bone. He had a habit of eating wings whole, believing it was efficient. The bone lodged in his throat required emergency intervention, highlighting the dangers of unsafe eating practices. – toomuchcoffeee
42. Eye Infection from Old Makeup
A woman developed a severe eye infection from using expired mascara. She had been using the same tube for over a year, unaware of the potential for bacterial growth. This case emphasized the importance of proper cosmetic hygiene. – Emotional_Resolve764
43. Misunderstood Medication
An elderly patient doubled his blood pressure medication dose, thinking it would cure his condition faster. This resulted in dangerously low blood pressure and a trip to the ER, demonstrating the need for clear medication instructions. – NoNudeLips
44. The Dangerous Detox
A young woman attempted a “detox” diet of only lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup for two weeks. She ended up severely dehydrated and malnourished, requiring hospitalization. This case highlighted the risks of extreme diets and the importance of balanced nutrition. – gutter153
45. Allergic Reaction to Hair Dye
A woman experienced a severe allergic reaction after using a new hair dye, which she didn’t test on her skin first. Her face swelled, and she had difficulty breathing, necessitating emergency care. This situation underscored the importance of patch-testing new products. – Snackdoc189
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