A 33-year-old lorry driver from the UK has been rushed to intensive care after consuming a massive quantity of jelly sweets in a short period of time. The man from Yorkshire, by his own admission, suffered from a 'love of jelly sweets' and ordered a three-kilogram tub of Haribo Cola Jelly candies on Amazon. Over the course of three days, he ate the entire supply, which had a total energy value of 10,461 kilocalories — an amount that vastly exceeds the daily calorie intake recommended for an adult.
From digestive disorder to intensive care
The symptoms appeared quickly and with escalating intensity: severe abdominal pain, excessive sweating, sharp blood pressure spikes, and chills. Initially, the admitting medical staff suspected classic food poisoning. However, further laboratory and instrumental examinations showed that the level of gelatin in Nathan's digestive system significantly exceeded the allowable limit. As a result, he was diagnosed with acute diverticulitis — inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) in the wall of the colon.
What is diverticulitis and why is it dangerous
Diverticulitis is a condition in which small, pouch-like protrusions in the wall of the large intestine become inflamed or infected. The key symptom is severe, prolonged pain in the lower left side of the abdomen. The clinical picture also includes fever, chills, digestive upset, and vomiting. In severe cases, the condition can lead to perforation of the intestinal wall and the development of peritonitis — a life-threatening state. In some patients, traces of blood or mucus are found in the stool. In Nathan Remington's case, it was the combination of a massive influx of gelatin and sudden strain on the intestines that triggered the acute inflammatory process.
Treatment and recovery
Upon admission to the hospital, doctors temporarily prohibited the patient from taking food and fluids orally and switched to intravenous fluid administration to maintain water-electrolyte balance. Due to high body temperature and intense abdominal pain, Nathan spent six days in the intensive care unit. Following the course of treatment, the man fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital. As noted by physicians, in this case, seeking medical help in a timely manner prevented severe complications, including perforation and peritonitis.
Medical warning
The incident with Nathan Remington served as a stark reminder that excessive and uncontrolled consumption of sweets, including those containing significant amounts of gelatin, can cause serious harm to the digestive system. Doctors emphasize: if severe or prolonged abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and other alarming symptoms occur, one should not self-medicate — it is necessary to consult a specialist as soon as possible for an examination and appropriate therapy.
