Vitamin C and Sepsis: Resist the Urge to be Duped.

My Facebook feed has been buzzing with news of a breakthrough in the treatment of sepsis–a deadly condition caused by bacterial infection. Do not be fooled. Please. Resist the urge to be duped. A recent study published in the prestigious journal Chest concluded that a combination of high-dose vitamin C, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids and thiamine given to patients with sepsis “may prove to be effective.” NPR covered the story — the headline exuded hope: Doctor Turns Up Possible Treatment For Deadly Sepsis. The excitement surrounding this preliminary and inconclusive report is instructive on how our brains are susceptible to medical hype. This story is important because I believe one of the reasons for widespread overtreatment in the US is our collective (doctors and patients alike) susceptibility to extravagant publicity, which, in most cases, exaggerates the benefits of an idea or treatment. First the background on the sepsis and vitamin C story. Millions of people die from sepsis. Death occurs because the bacteria release toxins that damage our organs. Many smart people are looking for better treatments. Thus far, the only treatment of sepsis is to give antibiotics to kill the bacteria and use supportive measures to see people through the period of organ failure–ventilators for failing lungs, dialysis for failing kidneys and medicines to increase the falling blood pressure. Too often, the organs don’t ever recover and the person dies. ...
Source: Dr John M - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: blogs