Dorothy FarrarPoisoning
Poisoning is a condition in which harmful or even deadly substances have entered the body in various ways. These substances are toxic, i.e. cell-destroying, tissue-damaging, etc. Countermeasures are necessary in any case, the body can no longer break down these substances itself in the event of poisoning.
What is poisoning (toxicosis)?
In order to speak of poisoning, harmful substances must have been introduced into the body in a certain quantity or even higher. This can be caused by ingestion and injection, inhalation or skin contact. The technical term for poisoning is called toxicosis. In the case of poisoning with several substances, one speaks of a mixed intoxication.
In addition, a distinction is made between acute poisoning, in which the substance has been administered in excess and the physical reaction can be recognized promptly, and chronic poisoning, in which the substance is gradually administered and poisoning or effects only occur above a certain level come to light.
causes
Poisoning can have many causes. The following are the most common types of poisoning:
- Snake bite poisoning
It can be, for example, poisoning from medicines, drugs, poisonous plants, (accidentally) ingested cleaning agents or solvents, gases and bites.
In addition, there is also poisoning caused by alcohol and nicotine. The tolerance level is definitely higher here, but there is also a limit in the body from which it can no longer break down the substances supplied without help. In addition, late symptoms of poisoning can occur here, so the acute and/or chronic condition for some substances can be considered.
symptoms of poisoning
symptoms and course
The symptoms of poisoning can be very different and often depend on the substance ingested. In the case of acute poisoning, for example, the symptoms appear very to relatively quickly, in the case of snake bites, for example, sometimes within seconds. It depends on the substance, but frequent symptoms of poisoning are abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness , fainting, paralysis, circulatory collapse, shortness of breath, skin rashes and even cardiac arrest .
In the case of chronic poisoning, the symptoms are usually not immediately attributable to poisoning. Here, too, those affected often complain of abdominal pain, tiredness, a drop in performance, skin changes and the like. However, these symptoms can also be assigned to other diseases and not just to poisoning, so that further clarification is absolutely necessary.
Diagnose
Diagnosis also depends on acute or chronic conditions of intoxication. In the case of acute poisoning, there are sometimes external signs such as bites , stings from insects, skin changes and/or skin burns or reddening of the skin, and the signs mentioned above also appear.
Since immediate action is required in the event of acute poisoning, immediate measures are sometimes taken. These can be, for example, pumping out the stomach or administering an antidote if it is known where the poisoning came from. Ultimately, however, the examination of the blood in a differential blood count with special additional parameters clarifies the initial diagnosis.
Acute poisoning should therefore be treated in a hospital or an emergency room, since everything can be diagnosed much more quickly here and the staff is specialized in such cases. In the case of chronic poisoning, the assignment is more difficult, since it is usually not known where the cause lies. Here, too, blood tests ultimately provide information about which toxic substances are in the body and trigger the state of intoxication.
treatment and therapy
As already mentioned, in the case of toxicosis, a distinction must be made between what triggered the poisoning and how it can be counteracted. Pumping out the stomach or administering an antidote is often necessary. Sometimes dialysis also helps to improve the state of poisoning by cleaning substances out of the blood . There are various possibilities here, in the case of poisoning with gases, the treatment is often very difficult and can usually only be carried out with medication and cannot achieve a complete cure, but only prevent progression. This is also often the case with chronic poisoning. Many substances can no longer be completely removed from the body and leave permanent damage.
prevention
Poisoning cannot be prevented in every case, but in some cases it is possible to prevent contact with toxins by taking appropriate protective measures.This includes, for example, suitable protective clothing, breathing masks, observing the dosage instructions for medication or following the doctor’s instructions and the use of stimulants and intoxicants, if not completely preventable, in moderation.
In addition, it makes sense to avoid places that offer a potential risk of poisoning. Cleaning agents that are in other filled bottles must be labeled accordingly. Many poisonings can be avoided with this.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.