Drinking and seawater poisoning: signs, what to do

Drinking clean water is a vital necessity for any living being. A person cannot exist without water. But sometimes water can be dangerous – for example, if unsuitable or microbe-contaminated liquid was used for drinking. Water poisoning is not uncommon, since we use different water sources that do not always meet sanitary standards. Often, even ordinary tap water can harm our health. The water route of disease transmission, water poisoning – this is the topic of the material below.

Epidemiology

According to the World Health Organization, the total number of poisonings in the world is growing every year. It is quite difficult to clearly characterize the data on the frequency of water poisoning, since only a few countries count and systematize data on such cases. Much more information is known about food poisoning.

There is also information that the majority of poisonings occur due to carelessness and carelessness of a person. In most cases, the victims ignored sanitary and hygienic standards, drank water from unverified sources, etc.

The most widespread water poisoning in recent years occurred in Makhachkala: almost six hundred people were hospitalized in six days, including more than 400 children. It was recognized that the cause of such mass poisoning was insufficient chlorination of the water.

In all likelihood, water poisoning statistics will remain unknown in the future – experts attribute this to weak monitoring and registration of real cases of poisoning among the population of Asia, Africa, Latin America, etc.

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Causes water poisoning

Signs of poisoning occur if staphylococcal or streptococcal infection, cholera vibrio or proteus, intestinal or dysentery bacillus, enterovirus or other pathogenic microorganisms enter the human digestive system along with water. In most cases, the cause of intoxication is drinking water that is not intended for internal use - for example, you can easily get poisoned by water taken from open sources or even from the general water supply system. Microbes often also affect water that has been in a reservoir for a long time - both open and closed.

Many cases of water poisoning are associated with the use of the same cups by both healthy and sick people.

However, the causes of water poisoning are not always identified with infectious diseases. Often, poisoning occurs as a result of various chemical compounds, fertilizers, impurities and waste entering the water.

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Risk factors

Water poisoning can happen to absolutely anyone, regardless of age or occupation. However, the highest risk of water poisoning is for people who belong to the following categories:

• small children, infants and preschoolers;
• old people;
• people suffering from chronic diseases of the digestive system, diabetes;
• people with weak immune defenses;
• people who frequently visit other countries, especially exotic ones, where not enough attention is paid to the implementation of sanitary and hygienic standards.

Also at risk of poisoning are workers in the chemical industry, oil refineries, as well as people living near treatment facilities, settling ponds, landfills, and large industrial facilities.

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Pathogenesis

Water poisoning can occur when various pathogenic microbes or toxic components (such as chemicals) enter the body. Each toxic substance has a specific effect on tissues and the entire human body. Various pathological changes occur that require appropriate medical manipulations - and of an emergency nature.

Water poisoning pathogens are capable of producing toxic substances, both in water and already in the human body. When toxins enter with water, the first thing that gets hit is the mucous tissue of the digestive system. This is manifested by all the signs of inflammation. There are abdominal pains, diarrhea, vomiting. When toxins enter the bloodstream, general intoxication develops, with a number of symptoms typical for this condition: headache, fever, tachycardia, etc.

Water poisoning can also be a variant of hyperhydration – excessive fluid intake into the body, which disrupts the water-electrolyte balance.

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Symptoms water poisoning

Ordinary clean water cannot cause poisoning. Intoxication occurs when consuming dissolved chemical impurities, elements, and liquids contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. The possibility of water poisoning is also possible if it is consumed in excess - more than one liter per hour. This is the volume of water that the kidneys can process. All excess moisture will immediately accumulate in the tissues.

The first signs of water poisoning depend on what caused the poisoning. At the initial stage, such symptoms can be general, non-specific:

• single or multiple vomiting, nausea;
• diarrhea;
• spasmodic or constant pain inside the abdomen;
• increase in body temperature;
• headaches, dizziness;
• signs of general intoxication damage.

Next, we will consider each cause and clinical picture of water poisoning separately.

• Seawater poisoning is accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, loss of appetite, nausea to vomiting, discomfort in the nasopharynx, sneezing. Depending on the volume of seawater drunk, a decrease in the amount of urine excreted, and defecation of liquid masses is possible. As a rule, seawater rarely causes poisoning by the type of intoxication. Pathological symptoms caused by the use of seawater do resemble water poisoning, but are more often associated with the presence of a huge amount of salts that human kidneys cannot adequately cope with. The true type of poisoning is possible only when pathogenic microbes or viruses are present in the water. True intoxication is detected approximately 2-3 days after the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the human digestive system.
• In the vast majority of cases, poisoning with hellebore water is the result of an unconventional method of treating chronic alcoholism. Relatives of a person suffering from alcohol addiction discreetly “treat” him by adding hellebore water to food or drinks. Such “treatment” is very dangerous, even fatal, because hellebore water is not originally intended for internal use, due to the large amount of toxic substances that have nervous and cardiac toxicity. Poisoning with hellebore water can be suspected in the presence of symptoms such as thirst, slow heart rate, drop in blood pressure, nausea with vomiting, loss of consciousness, heavy salivation, increased sweating and heartburn. A person can die within three to twelve hours if he has not received timely medical care.
• Poisoning with dirty water is not always accompanied by any pronounced symptoms. The clinical picture depends, first of all, on what substances and microorganisms contaminated the dirty water. For example, if the water was initially poorly purified (or not purified at all), then a person may experience all the typical signs of intoxication with damage to the digestive system. The first signs are usually diarrhea and vomiting. Chronic poisoning with drinking water is more dangerous, which occurs if poor-quality drinking water is supplied to the population for a long time. The danger is that the symptoms of such "slow" poisoning do not appear immediately - but only when the intoxication reaches a peak level. The gradual accumulation of toxic components in the body leads to serious problems with the internal organs, up to the development of oncology.
• Poisoning with drinking water can also occur due to excessive consumption - for example, more than one liter per hour, or more than 4-6 liters per day. Symptoms of such poisoning are:
  • fever;
  • severe headache;
  • vomiting attack;
  • diarrhea;
  • convulsive syndrome;
  • depression of consciousness;
  • coma.

Overhydration can result in cerebral edema and death of the patient, so assistance in such a situation must be provided immediately.

• Poisoning with water from a swimming pool can occur for several reasons - due to a large amount of chlorine in the water, or due to the ingestion of microbes and parasites (if the water is not sufficiently treated). Pool water contains chlorine, and its amount is determined directly by the management of the institution. Therefore, in some pools there may not be enough chlorine, and in others - in excess. If there is a lot of chlorine in the pool, then a person who swallows water can really be poisoned: there is an upset digestive system, swelling and irritation of the eyes, a sore throat, nasopharynx, unpleasant sensations in the ears, a cough. Particularly clear symptoms of poisoning with water from a swimming pool are observed in children: children become lethargic, sleepy, they have problems with breathing, a wet cough occurs. In such a situation, the child should be immediately shown to a doctor.

If the water from the pool is not sufficiently treated, it may contain E. coli, various parasites and bacteria. When swallowing such water, a person may experience signs of acute poisoning:

• indigestion;
• vomit;
• coughing, shortness of breath;
• feeling of lethargy and fatigue.

In some people, water poisoning occurs as a flu-like illness, so it is necessary to carefully monitor for additional symptoms that arise.

• Chlorinated water poisoning can occur not only in swimming pools, but also at home. For example, the general water supply system for the population can be periodically flushed with a concentrated chlorine solution. This is done to disinfect the water supply system. Usually, the water utility warns about such a "flushing" in advance and recommends that people stock up on drinking water. If you ignore the recommendations and use chlorinated water for internal use, you can actually get poisoned. Signs of such water poisoning are digestive problems, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, drowsiness, apathy, heartburn. In such a situation, you need to take all the measures that are usually taken for acute food and drink poisoning.
• Poisoning with tap water, despite chlorination, is also not uncommon. It is not without reason that most people prefer to drink and cook with filtered or bottled water. Indeed, the pipes that supply water to homes are not always in perfect condition - pipes can rust, organic particles and other foreign substances can penetrate through leaks and holes. Tap water should never be drunk raw. It must be settled and boiled, and even better - additionally filtered through a special filter. Signs of poisoning are easy to recognize: vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea. However, intoxication will not always be acute. Sometimes damage to the digestive system, liver, blood vessels and kidneys occurs slowly, month after month, year after year. In such a situation, we are talking about chronic intoxication.
• Poisoning with river water is a common occurrence, especially among children. While playing in a pond, children can swallow dirty water – and it is difficult to talk about the ecology and cleanliness of rivers and lakes in our time. Poisoning will occur with the following pronounced symptoms:
  • nausea;
  • loss of appetite to the point of disgust;
  • sharp pains around the navel, spasms;
  • increased gas formation, loose stools.

It is worse if there is a specific infection in the river, such as cholera or typhoid fever. Such infections are particularly severe and require immediate medical intervention.

• Poisoning with water from a well occurs when the owners of the well do not pay attention to the quality and composition of its contents. Most wells are filled from surface aquifers, which often contain particles of oil products, heavy metals, and surfactants. If there is a toilet or cesspool nearby (less than 15 m), then the well may well contain wastewater and nitrogen compounds, which can also cause severe poisoning.

Poisoning with water from a well often occurs when the well is used extremely rarely. In this case, we are talking about stagnation of water and an increase in the concentration of harmful substances in it - for example, nitrogenous substances. With such poisoning, headaches, indigestion, dizziness, and lethargy will be observed.

• Poisoning with boiled water can be called a great rarity, but such poisoning can also occur. Boiling is a thermal treatment of water, which simultaneously stimulates chemical reactions between organic water ingredients and activated chlorine. Such reactions can form highly toxic compounds - even such as dioxins. The latter have the ability to suppress the immune system and cause malignant degeneration of cells. The boiling process, in addition, does not save from the presence of heavy metals in the liquid. Therefore: boiling is good, but it depends on what kind of water we boil.
• Poisoning with rotten water occurs due to the consumption of "old" drinks that have stood for some time in a closed container. Intoxication is manifested by vomiting, loss of strength, and severe drowsiness. In such a situation, it is necessary to cleanse the digestive system of toxic components as soon as possible - it is optimal to take an appropriate dose of activated carbon or another enterosorbent.

Complications and consequences

Water poisoning can lead to serious and severe health consequences:

• changes in the composition of intestinal flora (dysbacteriosis);
• chronic colitis, enterocolitis, gastroenterocolitis;
• ulcerative colitis, stomach ulcer;
• tendency to allergic reactions;
• renal dysfunction;
• instability of blood pressure;
• joint dysfunction, arthritis;
• metabolic disorders;
• diseases of the nervous system.

Most often, complications are recorded in children, elderly patients, as well as in individuals who already have a history of gastrointestinal diseases.

You cannot perceive the fact of water poisoning as a slight ailment: recovery of the body after poisoning should always be carried out under the supervision of a medical specialist.

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Diagnostics water poisoning

Diagnostic measures are aimed at establishing the cause of poisoning.

Clinical procedures are based on information obtained during anamnesis, visual examination of the patient, and study of poisoning symptoms. The clinical part of the diagnosis is carried out by a doctor who provides emergency medical care to the victim - either when visiting the patient or in a hospital setting.

Blood and urine tests are performed for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of toxic components in them, as well as to determine the likelihood of disorders in the functioning of internal organs. Tests are taken in hospital laboratories or in separate independent laboratories.

Also, particles of vomit, gastric and/or intestinal lavage may be sent for laboratory diagnostics. A water sample is also required if the source of poisoning is known.

Instrumental diagnostics for water poisoning is usually secondary in nature and consists of the following procedures:

• measuring blood pressure;
• conducting ultrasound examination of internal organs;
• conducting chest X-ray;
• performing fibrogastroscopy (in case of damage to the digestive system).

Differential diagnostics should be carried out with other types of intoxication – food, alcohol, drugs, etc.

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Treatment water poisoning

The main goal of treatment for water poisoning should be the removal of toxic substances from the circulatory system and tissues, as well as the restoration of water and electrolyte metabolism.

What to do first in case of water poisoning?

• If water poisoning has occurred very recently, the victim should immediately wash out the stomach. If the consumption of poor-quality or contaminated water occurred earlier, then washing is no longer necessary, since the water is quickly absorbed by the walls of the stomach.
• If there are all the signs of water poisoning, but there is no diarrhea, then you need to cleanse the intestines as soon as possible - for example, take a laxative or use a siphon-type enema.
• The next step should be to replenish the blood fluid composition in case of dehydration and fluid loss. For internal use, solutions such as Regidron, Glucosolan are used. For intravenous infusion, Trisol, Khlosol, etc. are suitable.
• In case of water poisoning, one of the first steps is also taking enterosorbent drugs - substances that bind and remove toxins. The following drugs are used as enterosorbents:
  • Filtrum, three tablets 4 times a day;
  • Activated carbon – 10-40 tablets at a time, depending on the patient’s weight and the severity of the poisoning;
  • White coal 4 tablets 4 times a day;
  • Enterosgel 1.5 tbsp three times a day;
  • Polysorb 1 tbsp. in 100 g of clean water, 4 times a day.
• For severe spastic abdominal pain, antispasmodics are prescribed: Drotaverine, one tablet three times a day, Duspitalin, one capsule twice a day.
• In case of diarrhea, it is appropriate to use tanning and enveloping preparations, as well as antiseptics - for example, Intetrix, 2 capsules 4 times a day, Intestopan, 2 tablets 5 times a day.
• At the recovery stage, enzyme medications Festal and Pancreatin are used to stabilize digestive secretion.
• To restore intestinal flora, Linex (two capsules three times a day), Bifidumbacterin, Normase (75 ml per day), Baktisubtil (one capsule 5 times a day before meals) are prescribed.

In cases of specific poisoning, antibacterial therapy is administered depending on the pathogenic microorganisms detected:

• Furazolidone 0.1 g 4 times a day;
• Biseptol 2 tablets twice a day;
• Levomycetin, Ampicillin 0.5 g 4 times a day for a week.

Antibiotic treatment is carried out against the background of the use of antifungal drugs and agents that improve the indicators of intestinal microflora. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on the severity of the patient's condition.

Vitamins

In case of water poisoning, which is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting attacks, general intoxication, the body loses a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, after eliminating the first signs of intoxication, it is necessary to take measures to restore the vitamin and mineral balance in the victim's body.

So, for the normal functioning of the digestive tract the following are necessary:

• vitamin B ₁, which improves bowel function;
• vitamin PP, which improves enzyme secretion;
• Vitamin U, which helps restore damaged tissues of the digestive tract;
• ascorbic acid, which increases the body's immune resistance.

Only after severe poisoning is it necessary to prescribe individual drugs in the form of multivitamin complexes. If water poisoning was mild or moderate, then it will be quite sufficient to diversify your diet and balance your nutrition, including plant components, fermented milk products, seafood, and egg yolks in your daily menu.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy is relatively rarely included in the emergency care regimen for patients with water poisoning. In some cases, oxygen therapy may be prescribed, which successfully eliminates oxygen deficiency in the body's tissues.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine will help ease the condition of water poisoning in mild and moderate cases. In severe cases of poisoning, self-treatment is not allowed - urgent medical help will be required.

• Drinking clean water and visiting a bathhouse or sauna can help speed up the removal of toxins from the body.
• Dill decoction with honey relieves spasms well and accelerates the removal of toxins. Pour 1 teaspoon of dried dill or a tablespoon of finely chopped greens into a glass of water. Boil the dill for about 20 minutes on a small burner, then remove from heat, cool, add cold boiled water to the original volume of the glass, add 1 tablespoon of honey. Take the medicine half an hour before meals, half a glass at a time.
• In case of minor poisoning, ginger tea will help. Pour 1 teaspoon of ground root with a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes. Take the remedy 1 tablespoon every half hour to an hour. Ginger root helps remove toxins, limits the viability of microbes and strengthens the immune system.
• To neutralize toxic substances and improve the digestive system, it is recommended to eat nothing during the day except rice broth and flaxseed. To prepare rice broth, take 1 portion of rice for 7 portions of water, cook for 10 minutes. Take the remedy 5-6 times a day, one third of a cup, sprinkled with a small amount of flaxseed.

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Herbal treatment

To speed up the removal of toxic substances from the bloodstream, it is necessary to ensure sufficient supply of clean water and vitamins to the body. It is useful to drink clean water with added lemon juice, as well as rosehip or chokeberry decoction. Natural vitamins, and especially ascorbic acid, participate in the neutralization of toxic substances and strengthening the immune system. In addition, fortified drinks help replenish the substances necessary for the body, lost during diarrhea or vomiting.

In case of water poisoning, the marshmallow root is useful. A tablespoon of crushed rhizome is poured with a glass of boiling water, infused for half an hour, then filtered and taken 1 tablespoon before meals up to five times a day.

If water poisoning is accompanied by diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, then you can use a recipe based on St. John's wort. To prepare an infusion, take 1 tbsp. of dry plant, pour a glass of boiling water and leave for 3 hours. The medicine is taken 50 ml three times a day before meals.

If the stomach hurts badly due to poisoning, then nettle leaves and meadowsweet can be added to the St. John's wort. To prepare the infusion, take 1 tbsp. of an equal collection of these plants, pour a glass of boiling water, and leave for an hour. Take half a glass 5 times a day before meals.

In addition to the plants listed, the herb immortelle, yarrow, and sage can also achieve a good detoxifying effect.

Homeopathy

The list of homeopathic remedies that help with water poisoning can be called quite extensive. However, such drugs should be prescribed by a qualified homeopathic doctor.

• Nux vomica - used for vomiting, headaches, abdominal cramps.
• Aetusa - used for water poisoning in children.
• Phosphorus is prescribed for severe vomiting and vomiting of blood.
• Arsenicum - recommended for food or water poisoning, with acute pain, diarrhea and chills.
• Podophyllum is prescribed for diarrhea and vomiting, rumbling in the stomach, general weakness, and frequent urge to defecate.
• Pulsatilla - used for vomiting, bloating, colic, flatulence.
• Tabakum – helps with vomiting and dizziness.

Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic and safe, but they are only allowed for mild forms of poisoning. If the victim is in serious condition, it is better to contact medical specialists for emergency medical care.

Surgical treatment

An indication for the use of surgical detoxification methods is considered to be characteristic symptoms of severe intoxication, confirmed by positive blood and urine tests (toxic substances are detected in high concentrations, which can lead to death).

The effective effect of hemodialysis is demonstrated when it is used in the early stages of water poisoning. With the help of hemodialysis, it is possible to eliminate the initial signs of intoxication, prevent the development of complications, and reduce the risk of death.

Peritoneal dialysis is generally not as effective. This type of detoxification is used when toxic substances are present in high concentrations and remain in the bloodstream for a long time.

Prevention

If you take preventive measures responsibly, then getting water poisoning becomes almost impossible. To protect yourself from poisoning, you need to listen to these recommendations:

• For drinking, it is better to use bottled water from well-known manufacturers. At the same time, for daily use, you need to buy table types of water, but not medicinal mineral waters - the latter contain a large amount of salts and microelements, which can negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system.
• If you use tap water for drinking and cooking, you need to pay maximum attention to its filtration and settling with subsequent heat treatment (boiling). Only such step-by-step neutralization will help make the liquid from the tap suitable for drinking.
• If you filter water using a special jug, you must not forget to change the filter in a timely manner, and also rinse the container itself with clean running water to prevent the deposition of plaque and the accumulation of microbes.
• Water from a river, sea or other open sources is not suitable for internal use, unless it is purified using special technologies.
• The daily amount of liquid for drinking for a healthy person cannot exceed 4-6 liters. Also, you cannot drink more than one liter of water in one hour, otherwise hyperhydration syndrome may occur - excessive "flooding" of the body, which is also a kind of poisoning.

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Forecast

The quality of the prognosis largely depends on the degree of intoxication of the internal organs. In mild and severe intoxication, the prognosis is favorable in most cases: the impaired functions of the body are fully restored within 10-25 days.

Severe water poisoning, with signs of degeneration and necrosis of the kidneys and liver, requires a long recovery of the body - from six months to two years.

Water poisoning, known as hyperhydration, can, in severe cases, lead to cerebral edema and death.

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