• Swallowing a raw fish gallbladder sends a woman to the intensive care unit
• Toxins in the fish gallbladder can cause acute liver and kidney failure

A woman from China was in critical condition hours after swallowing a raw fish gallbladder, believing it would relieve the headache she had been suffering from.

Reports said the woman, 50 years old and named "Liu" from Jiangsu province, followed a folk remedy claiming that raw fish gallbladders help cool the body, remove toxins, and relieve persistent migraines.

According to details, "Liu" bought a 2.5 kg grass carp from the market, extracted the gallbladder at home, and swallowed it raw.

Just two hours later, she began suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, and her family rushed her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with fish gallbladder poisoning and acute liver failure.

"Liu" was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit of a hospital, where she underwent plasma exchange therapy and continuous kidney replacement treatment, a slow method for blood purification.

After five days, her condition improved, and she was discharged from the hospital.

Doctor Hu Zhenkui said that fish gallbladders are "more toxic than arsenic," explaining that just a few grams can be enough to poison a person, and gallbladders from fish weighing over 5 kg can be fatal.

He added that the gallbladder contains toxins that can damage the liver and kidneys, potentially leading to acute liver and kidney failure, and in severe cases, can cause shock, cerebral hemorrhage, and even death.

The hospital advised against following folk and superstitious remedies.