What should have been a joyful birthday turned into a terrifying health scare for a 16-year-old girl in China’s Hunan province. The teen, known only as Mei, wanted to look perfect in her new birthday dress —and that desire almost cost her life.In the two weeks leading up to her big day, Mei stopped eating properly. She survived only on a handful of vegetables and took laxatives every day, hoping to lose weight quickly. But instead of feeling confident, she ended up collapsing. Her body had become so weak from starvation and dehydration that she couldn’t even stand.

12-hour fight to save her life

According to the South China Morning Post, Mei was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Doctors said she had dangerously low levels of potassium in her blood, a condition called hypokalemia, which can shut down muscles and even cause the heart to stop. She was treated for 12 hours straight to stabilize her condition.“Low potassium can lead to respiratory failure and sudden cardiac arrest,” explained Dr. Peng Min from Hunan People’s Hospital, where Mei was treated. He said that potassium is crucial for muscles and nerves to work properly—and crash diets can throw everything off balance.Another doctor from a different hospital also warned that unbalanced diets and dehydration are common triggers for this kind of medical emergency. The doctors advised people to eat foods rich in potassium like bananas, chicken, and potatoes—and to avoid skipping meals or using laxatives as a shortcut to weight loss.Mei has now recovered and has reportedly promised never to put herself through anything like this again. Her story is a sobering reminder of how far some teenagers feel pressured to go just to look a certain way—and how dangerous those choices can be.Because at the end of the day, no dress is worth your life.