Woman's Snoring Led to Sudden Kidney Failure
A Thai woman's sudden kidney failure was linked to sleep apnea from snoring, which elevated her blood pressure dangerously high; doctors discovered the airway obstruction after she was admitted to Sakon Nakhon Hospital requiring emergency d
On August 11, 2026, TikTok user @suda_zy posted a cautionary account describing how dizziness led to sudden acute kidney failure. While some might assume high salt intake was the culprit, the first question her doctor asked was whether she had consumed traditional herbal remedies or tonics, as kidney damage was severe and her blood had become heavily acidic. She denied taking herbal medicines, reporting only B vitamins for numbness and magnesium tablets for sleep issues, not continuously. Her dizziness escalated until her blood pressure reached 212, causing her body's systems to collapse. She was admitted to Sakon Nakhon Hospital and later transferred to the provincial hospital after initial treatment at a district hospital failed to improve her condition. Doctors ordered temporary dialysis as kidney function had failed, though they couldn't yet determine if it was acute or chronic due to her never having sought medical check-ups before. Brain scans, chest X-rays, and lung ultrasounds were conducted. Her primary concern throughout her emergency care was her 71-year-old mother, worrying constantly about how her mother would manage if something happened to her. Her mother cared for her completely, even struggling to walk, while also wiping her body, managing her catheter, and fanning her during the hot first night in a shared room without air conditioning. Blood pressure checks were taken every 15 minutes, but readings remained above 190. After medication adjustments on the second day, her pressure dropped to 135 and her kidneys responded well. The doctor asked if she snored, noting that her breathlessness indicated airway obstruction during sleep, which elevates blood pressure and strains kidney function. She was advised to undergo a separate sleep study. Doctors recommended she rest at home to see if her kidney function would recover, as the failure was acute. Recovery would be monitored over two weeks to determine if dialysis would become necessary. Back home, she can only eat egg whites initially and must use a cane to walk. She hopes her kidney values will improve so she can care for her mother long-term. She thanked TikTok for allowing her to share her story.