Poisoning by heavy metal salts

Today, salt poisoning is becoming more common. The reason is not only the widespread use of salts in production, everyday life, and various sectors of the national economy, but also the widespread use of chemicals in nature. They are part of many things and chemical compounds. The peculiarity is that they cannot be called harmful. Under some conditions, they have beneficial properties, and can cause irreparable harm to health under other conditions.

Substances that are both useful and poisonous can be found almost everywhere. They are part of the soil, are part of the air, and are even synthesized in living organisms. Many substances are synthesized by the human body, and without them, its full existence and functioning is impossible.

Few people know that the oxygen we breathe, and without which it is impossible to maintain life on earth, is the most powerful poisonous substance. It gradually causes the aging of the body, and in large quantities it causes the development of oxygen stress, which resolves cellular structures and genetic material, and leads to the death of the body. At the same time, salts of heavy metals are often beneficial. Only with their excessive accumulation in the body does poisoning occur.

Epidemiology

Even today, people use various objects and things in their everyday life that have a toxic effect. Many elements can accumulate in the body. Gradually, they can cause chronic poisoning. Thus, aluminum dishes, galvanized pots, various additives and paints used in the manufacture of goods. Even ordinary water can cause toxic reactions, since it contains a large amount of chlorine and its derivatives.

Household appliances today are also a source of toxins and radiation. The air is polluted by exhaust gases. These are the sources that each of us has to deal with, regardless of our lifestyle. These sources account for approximately 72% of chronic and acute poisonings. In many people, intoxication is latent and chronic.

The gradual accumulation of toxins in the body leads to a weakening of the immune system, which results in a weakening of the body's defenses, as well as a decrease in endurance and resistance. Often, a violation of general immunity leads to a violation of local immunity, dysbacteriosis. This, in turn, leads to autoimmune pathologies, autointoxication, the development of bacterial and fungal infections. These pathologies today occur in 84% of people. Moreover, there is a tendency for autoimmune and dysbiotic pathologies to become younger. Today, they occur even in children under 14 years of age (31% of cases).

Dysbiosis is typical even for infants (11% of cases). Further secondary dysbiosis usually originates from primary disturbances (in 86% of cases) of normal microflora, which is formed in the first days of a child's life as a result of passing through the birth canal and the first contact with the mother.

In turn, disruption of the normal microbiocenosis of the mother entails serious disruptions of the child's microflora, since it is the mother's microflora that is the primary environment that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes of the child. In the future, it is this flora that is the basis on which the secondary microflora is formed.

Dysbiosis is the initial stage after which bacterial and viral infections are formed (51%). Also, the disturbed microflora is a good soil for further colonization by fungal infections (27%). Dysbacteriosis as a secondary pathology that has arisen as a result of acute poisoning, taking medications, exposure to other factors, occurs in 16% of cases.

In agriculture, various pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins are used (10% of cases). Even dentistry is a source of toxic substances today. Thus, dental filling involves the use of amalgam, which contains mercury (2% of poisonings).

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Causes heavy metal poisoning

Poisoning mainly occurs when working with toxic substances at enterprises, factories, and in production. Poisoning often occurs in laboratory conditions, especially if the work is carried out in closed rooms, with a non-working exhaust hood. Poisoning often occurs during research in testing shops, research centers and institutes, and in pharmaceutical companies.

Often there is a leak and poisoning of not only employees, but also other people, pollution of the environment. This happens during accidents, emergency situations. Many poisonings also happen in everyday life. Many have vegetable gardens, farms, agricultural plots. For processing, various chemical compounds are used, prepared independently or bought in specialized stores. Herbicides, pesticides, rodent control products, and other pest control products are widely used.

Often, careless handling of poisons, failure to observe safety precautions when working with them, and careless storage can lead to poisoning. Even banal inattention often leads to poisoning. Thus, storing poisonous substances together with food products and additives almost always ends in poisoning. If stored in a visible place, children can be poisoned, since they almost always try everything new to taste. Poisoning often occurs against the background of alcohol abuse or in a state of drug intoxication. Some use poisons for the purpose of committing suicide.

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Risk factors

The risk group includes people who have constant or temporary contact with toxic substances. Most often, these are workers in industrial enterprises and agricultural lands. Also at risk are people who carry out deratization, treatment with herbicides, pesticides and other means. People who are careless about storing and using poisons and acids are also at risk.

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Pathogenesis

Each salt has its own mechanism of action. Most often they enter through the digestive system. Less often, poisoning occurs through the skin. Mercury, for example, has the ability to penetrate the skin. Then the substances enter the blood, spread throughout the body and have a damaging effect.

The main accumulation of salts occurs in the bone marrow, kidneys, liver, lungs, spleen, and other organs that are responsible for the main, vital processes in the body. Disruption of the heart, blood vessels, blood composition and function is considered dangerous. As a result of accumulation, a depot of toxic substances is formed, toxins begin to persist in the body, causing chronic poisoning.

Another danger is that salts can cause severe local irritation. They irritate mucous membranes and skin. Salts can also cauterize blood vessels and tissues, which can result in a chemical burn. Salts are excreted mainly through urine and feces, which creates an additional burden on the body.

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Symptoms heavy metal poisoning

It is necessary to distinguish between acute and chronic poisoning. These forms can have different manifestations. Also, the symptoms depend on what substance caused the poisoning. The way the substance enters the body is also important. The main way the poison enters the body is the digestive tract. The main sign of poisoning is the appearance of a peculiar taste in the mouth. This is most often a metallic taste in the mouth, less often - the smell of acetone from the mouth. Redness of the skin, swelling and hyperemia of the skin, mucous membranes are observed. First of all, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and eyes suffers. When swallowing, pain and burning often occur, which intensify as the food bolus passes through the esophagus.

Poisoning is also accompanied by severe pain in the abdomen. Dyspeptic symptoms may be observed, in particular, vomiting, diarrhea, severe nausea. In some cases, for example, with lead poisoning, constipation may develop. In severe poisoning, which is accompanied by damage to the digestive tract, bleeding develops. Often the source of bleeding is the esophagus, stomach, intestines. In the presence of ulcers, small erosions, bleeding can be profuse. As a rule, these diseases begin to progress.

Lead and mercury poisoning is especially dangerous, as it is accompanied by loosening of teeth and severe pain in the oral cavity. Bleeding gums and profuse salivation are also observed. Inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the throat, trachea, nasal cavity occurs, and the lymph nodes become inflamed. A sign of copper poisoning may be the appearance of a blue tint in the vomit.

Another symptom of poisoning is a disruption of the normal functioning of the heart and circulatory system. Blood pressure may increase or decrease sharply, the pulse may quicken or slow down. A sharp change in condition is often observed: high blood pressure is accompanied by a sharp drop, which is the cause of severe circulatory disorders and can even lead to such serious complications as myocardial infarction or stroke. Shortness of breath, cyanosis, or hyperemia appear. Some areas may turn pale, which depends on pigmentation and circulatory characteristics, as well as the degree of saturation of the blood with hemoglobin.

Usually, there is a disturbance of consciousness. For example, poisoning with salts of heavy metals is often accompanied by euphoria and psychomotor agitation, against which disorientation develops. The person may be stunned. More severe consequences of poisoning are coma, stupor, loss of consciousness. Poisoning is often accompanied by hallucinations, insomnia, aggression, fears. The gait becomes unsteady, coordination of movements is impaired.

The kidneys and liver are also under stress. Kidney damage results in severe forms of nephropathy. The most severe complication is renal failure. In the early stages of liver and kidney damage, daily diuresis is reduced to a minimum, and a complete lack of urination may even develop. A characteristic sign indicating thallium poisoning is a green tint of urine. Many biochemical parameters in the blood also change, in particular, creatinine and urea levels change.

Almost all types of poisoning are accompanied by visual disturbances. A person may see double, and their vision may be sharply reduced.

Chronic intoxication is often accompanied by weakness, decreased endurance and resistance of the body, and a sharp deterioration in health. Body temperature may rise. A dangerous sign of severe chronic intoxication is hemolysis of the blood, which is accompanied by the destruction of red blood cells and the release of free hemoglobin into the blood, as a result of which the blood acquires a blue tint. The skin also turns blue. In case of lead poisoning, the temperature, on the contrary, drops sharply. Toxic shock occurs, which often ends in death.

First signs

They are determined by the type of poison a person has been poisoned with and how it entered the body. The first signs make themselves known immediately after the poison has entered the body. They appear before the poison has been absorbed into the blood. So, when a person has inhaled poison, a dry cough appears, which exhausts the person, but relief and coughing do not occur. Sputum rarely occurs. In some cases, after a prolonged cough, an attack of suffocation may develop, accompanied by the release of sputum. In addition, blood impurities appear in the sputum. Later, literally in a few hours, the temperature may rise.

When the poison penetrates the skin, contact dermatitis develops rapidly. Mercury vapors most often penetrate through the skin. A characteristic sign of such dermatitis is pain upon palpation, itching, and burning. The rash spreads quite quickly, often acquiring a bright red hue. Later, the hair follicles become inflamed, and hyperthermia appears. After the poison has been absorbed into the blood, general symptoms of intoxication develop.

The first sign that indicates thallium poisoning is muscle weakness. The limbs become especially weak, hair falls out sharply, and the sensitivity of the skin and limbs decreases. In case of chromium poisoning, a through hole in the nasal septum appears first.

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Stages

Poisoning occurs in several stages. At an early stage, the substance enters the body, but is not yet absorbed into the blood. At this stage, a favorable prognosis is still possible if the substance is quickly removed from the body and not allowed to be absorbed into the blood.

After absorption, the second stage begins – systemic damage to internal organs, the spread of poison with blood. At this stage, it is still possible to remove the poison from the body, neutralizing its effect with the help of an antidote, emergency therapy. If at this stage the necessary assistance is not provided, death occurs.

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Forms

Poisoning by drugs, chemicals, plant components and fungi, endotoxins, bacterial and viral toxins are distinguished.

A characteristic feature of all salts of heavy metals is that they have a low ability to be absorbed through the skin. The exception is mercury, which is most intensively absorbed through the skin. Therefore, mercury poisoning occurs very quickly. Heavy metals are also poorly absorbed through the mucous membranes and through the digestive tract. However, the symptoms of damage by heavy metals appear quite quickly and are severe. Their toxic effect is based on various mechanisms of action.

Many of them have a cauterizing and irritating effect on the skin and mucous membranes, and can cause severe forms of chemical burns. They differ from other types of poisoning in that a characteristic unpleasant taste appears in the mouth, most often reminiscent of a metallic taste. After this, severe pain develops, mainly in the digestive tract. A person salivates abundantly, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea appear. If first aid is not provided in a timely manner, toxic shock may develop, which often ends in death.

Most often, mercury poisoning occurs. In second place are poisonings with silver, zinc, copper, and other metals. Many heavy metals are characterized by a resorptive effect, which appears within a few hours after the substances enter the body. Signs of damage to the nervous system immediately appear - a sharp excitement, which is accompanied by depression and disruption of the heart. Euphoria is abruptly replaced by apathy, after which convulsions appear, weakness develops, blood pressure drops, the pulse becomes weak, or, conversely, sharply increases. At first, the excretory function of the kidneys sharply increases, daily diuresis increases greatly, after which there is a decrease in urination.

Kidney damage usually occurs 2-3 days after the poison enters the body. It is not necessary to allow it to happen before this, since kidney damage is often irreversible, the prognosis after this is extremely unfavorable. Also, such pathologies as erosions, stomatitis, and inflammatory processes of the gums are observed on the part of the mucous membranes.

In case of poisoning with salts of heavy metals, first aid should be provided immediately. First, measures should be taken to remove the poison from the body. In this case, any available methods are used. In a hospital setting, gastric lavage is performed. Before the ambulance arrives, you can simply induce vomiting in any possible way.

After the poison has been removed from the stomach and its further absorption has been prevented, neutralizing therapy is carried out, during which the effect of those toxins that have already managed to penetrate into the blood is neutralized. At this stage, antidotes are most often used, which help to neutralize the poison and remove it from the body. The victim is also given milk, egg white, or any medicines and decoctions that have an enveloping effect. This prevents the absorption of toxins into the blood, if they are still in the body, and also protects the digestive tract and mucous membranes from irritating effects. Then sorbents are given, which bind and remove toxins. Enterosgel, activated carbon, and other medicines are well suited.

Only after the threat to life has passed can supportive and restorative therapy be carried out, which is aimed at restoring the normal functioning of all organs and systems and preventing the consequences of poisoning.

There is an antidote for heavy metal salts, which significantly simplifies therapy. In order to achieve a positive effect as quickly as possible, the antidote must be administered as often as possible. It is mainly administered parenterally.

For example, to treat mercury poisoning, unitiol and sodium sulfate are used, which have the ability to bind mercury ions. They prevent the absorption of ions into the blood, their further distribution, and also block the activity of enzymes, which is aimed at destroying the complexes that are formed as a result of the interaction of mercury ions with the antidote.

Sodium sulfate is also quite effective, due to its ability to form non-toxic salts (sulfites) with the active substance, which are administered intravenously. Glucose solutions and other supporting solutions are administered in parallel, which make it possible to maintain the body's energy and nutritional base.

Various symptomatic therapy agents are also used to eliminate the main symptoms of the pathology. For example, in case of severe pain, various painkillers are used, ranging from weak ones, such as no-shpa, diclofenac, nurofen, to strong painkillers, such as morphine, promedol and others. Anti-inflammatory agents are used in the presence of an inflammatory process. To relieve swelling and hyperemia, antiallergic and antihistamine therapy may be required. Sometimes there is a need for vasoconstrictors, antispasmodics. Drugs are administered to maintain normal blood circulation and pressure.

In case of chlorine ion poisoning, such agents as sodium chloride are used to wash the stomach. A solution with a concentration of 1-2% is needed. Poisoning with silver salts also requires the introduction of a 1-2% solutionof sodium chloride. Washing with water is ineffective, since it contains a small amount of chlorine, which forms unstable compounds with any toxic substances, especially metals. A laxative is also used to cleanse the rectum, the lower parts of the digestive tract. Regular castor oil has proven itself well. It is also necessary to remember that sodium thiosulfate is not capable of forming stable complexes with silver ions, so it is not used as an antidote.

Thallium salt poisoning

Cases of thallium poisoning are a common occurrence nowadays, although this element is not very common in nature and everyday life. However, it is used in the production of contact lenses, and it is also a component of fireworks. Therefore, thallium poisoning can be attributed rather to professional poisoning, which occurs in people who work in industrial enterprises. Also, agricultural workers, farmers, gardeners and vegetable growers are often subject to this type of poisoning. This is explained by the fact that thallium is a component of many spraying and irrigation products. It is used to treat plants from pests and diseases.

Today, poisonings are increasingly common, which are the result of careless handling of chemicals. Often, when safety precautions and rules for storing reagents are not observed, children are poisoned. Thallium is often taken intentionally, for the purpose of suicide.

Thallium is the 81st element in the periodic table. It is a simple substance that is white and has a slight bluish tint. It is a metal of fairly high density. The melting point is at least 300 degrees, the boiling point reaches 1500 degrees. The name comes from the color of the spectral line and is translated as "green twig". A characteristic sign that distinguishes thallium poisoning from other types of poisoning is the green tint that appears in the vomit and feces of the victim.

By the beginning of the 20th century, specific properties of thallium preparations were discovered, which determined its further use in production and the chemical industry. In 1920, a patented poison against rodents was obtained in Germany, which included thallium sulfate.

In medicine, thallium salts, which cause temporary baldness, are used to treat ringworm. The widespread use of thallium is hampered by the fact that the difference between toxic and therapeutic doses is very small. The toxicity of thallium and its salts requires that they be handled with care and caution.

Some isotopes are used in medicine for cardiological research. Thallium is found in plant and animal organisms. It was found in tobacco, chicory roots, spinach, beech wood, grapes, beets and other plants, in sea creatures - jellyfish, anemones, starfish. Beets are able to accumulate thallium, literally pull it out of the soil containing a minimal, practically undetectable concentration of the metal.

Both thallium itself and its salts and compounds are highly toxic. Symptoms of thallium poisoning include damage to the nervous system, kidneys, stomach, and hair loss (alopecia). A dose of 600 mg is considered fatal to humans. Prussian blue (a blue pigment, a mixture of hexacyanoferrates) is used as an antidote for thallium or its salts.

Traditional supportive and restorative treatment is used as a treatment, which is applied after the condition has been stabilized and the poison has been neutralized. Full recovery usually takes about 2 weeks. Complex therapy is used, which includes etiological and symptomatic treatment.

There is a known case of mass poisoning with thallium, which was registered back in 1988 in Chernivtsi. Thus, in the autumn of this year, children began to go bald en masse. The children's hair remained on their pillows after sleep, combs, and was removed along with their hats. This was preceded by an increase in temperature and inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract.

And although high levels of thallium were not detected in the city's external environment, there were still grounds to assume, based on the results of morphological studies, that the cause of the disease was the effect of this chemical element, possibly in combination with other toxic substances (metals), which were also found in the hair of sick children. Now this disease that affected children is known as "chemical Chernivtsi disease".

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Magnesium salt poisoning

Magnesium is an important and irreplaceable substance that is part of our body. Normally, the body should contain at least 25 grams of magnesium, which is approximately 1%. It is especially important for the normal functioning of muscles and soft tissues. It is also important for maintaining the normal condition of bones. A deficiency of the substance entails serious disruptions in the functional state of the body. Therefore, magnesium is often prescribed as a drug. It is important to choose the right dosage, since exceeding it can lead to poisoning.

Overdose cases are rare, however, if they happen, the consequences can be very serious. It is known to disrupt cardiac activity, irritate the digestive tract, depress breathing, and adversely affect the functioning of the nervous system. Compression of the chest leads to a decrease in the filling of the lungs with air, an increase in the lack of oxygen and an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood. As a result, hypoxia occurs, which is dangerous due to oxygen starvation of organs and tissues. This leads to hypotension, in which the pressure drops sharply, and the main reflexes are suppressed. An overdose of magnesium is especially dangerous in bronchial asthma, since a prolonged attack and suffocation can develop.

Basic reflexes are impaired, arrhythmia develops, and later dyspeptic disorders such as nausea and vomiting appear. Poisoning is often accompanied by severe diarrhea. A dangerous sign is considered to be the suppression of cardiac activity, after which respiratory arrest is observed. Poisoning often ends in death.

Therefore, in case of magnesium poisoning, it is necessary to provide first aid to the victim as quickly as possible. First, it is necessary to prevent the absorption of magnesium into the blood, after which it is necessary to neutralize the part of the substance that has already been absorbed into the blood, and only then can further therapy be started. Usually, the stomach is washed with a large amount of water until clean water is formed. Intravenous infusions of supportive drugs, such as glucose, saline, Ringer's solution, are almost always required. Calcium gluconate has a positive effect. It normalizes the main biochemical indicators.

Poisoning is especially dangerous for people suffering from kidney disease. They often develop renal failure. In this case, hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is required. During therapy, it is necessary to regularly monitor the content of magnesium and sodium in the urine and blood. If the content is elevated, additional treatment is carried out.

Mercury poisoning

Mercury is a simple substance that appears in the periodic table under the number 80. It is a shiny, silvery-white liquid that has such a property as volatility. The melting point is around 38 degrees, the boiling point reaches 357 degrees.

It has been known since ancient times, even before our era. Translated from Greek it means "liquid silver" or "silver water". The second name of this element is mercury. The substance received this name from the Greek god, who is known for his speed and speed. It is not surprising, the speed of action is very high. If first aid is not provided in a timely manner, the victim dies within a few hours.

Mercury is the only liquid metal. In ancient times, it was an essential part of the chemical arsenal of alchemists. Mercury compounds were previously widely used as an antiseptic (mercuric chloride), a laxative (mercuric nitrate), as a preservative (organic derivatives), and later as a polyvaccine (merthiolate).

The most dangerous for humans are metallic mercury vapors, corrosive sublimate and mercury - organic compounds. Mercury and its derivatives affect the nervous system, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and when inhaled - the respiratory tract (mercury vapors have no smell, that is, any warning sign). According to the hazard class, mercury is classified as the first class (extremely dangerous chemical substance).

Mercury and its derivatives are global environmental pollutants. Their emissions into water are particularly dangerous, since the activity of microorganisms inhabiting the bottom results in the formation of water-soluble methylmercury.

Methylmercury and other organic compounds are more toxic than inorganic ones, since they are able to effectively interact with elements of the body's facultative systems, penetrate the central nervous system, affecting the brain.

Depending on the amount of mercury and the duration of its entry into the human body, acute and chronic poisoning are possible, as well as micromercurialism - disorders (not sharply expressed and even hidden) caused by the impact of small concentrations of mercury vapor. Women and children are most sensitive to mercury poisoning.

In the history of past and modern times, many cases of mercury poisoning have been recorded, many examples of which end in death. A significant number of poisonings are associated with the development of mercury production and its various technological applications. The general name for such diseases is mercuryism. One of the manifestations of this pathology is the "mad hatter's disease" - mental disorders in workers in felt production, where mercury nitrate was used.

In the 1920s, German alchemists established that mercury poisoning can occur when very small concentrations of mercury vapor enter the body (on the order of hundredths, thousandths, and even less than a milligram per cubic meter).

The danger of mercury vapor and its compounds to human health has long been known. Mercury can enter the body in the form of vapor through the respiratory tract, often through contaminated hands during meals, in limited quantities - through the skin. But the main way for mercury to enter the body is still the respiratory system. The main symptoms of mercury exposure are headache, increased excitability, decreased performance. Often, increased mercury levels are found in urine, although there may be no direct relationship between the mercury content in urine and the severity of its effects. In acute mercury poisoning, especially when its dissociating salts (mercury dioxide, mercury nitrate) enter the stomach, it is necessary to administer unithiol or other antidote drugs (BAL, succimer), Strizhevsky's antidote (alkaline water saturated with hydrogen sulfide), methionine, pectin are also indicated. Read more about the treatment of mercury poisoning here.

A characteristic feature of micromercurialism is the prolonged preservation of the phase of increased excitability of the cerebral cortex with concomitant pathological lability of the autonomic nervous system.

One of the controversial aspects of the "mercury danger" remains the question of whether the presence of so-called amalgam fillings in human teeth is dangerous or harmless. As is known, the use of copper amalgam, containing 50% mercury, silver, zinc and tin, is practiced in modern dentistry, and has come from a much older time. The question of the danger of its use as a filling material still remains unsolved.

Many people assume that mercury, regularly coming from such fillings, causes hidden intoxication. Gradually, there is a decrease in immune-biological reactivity. Some studies have shown that after removing amalgam fillings from patients, the number of so-called T-lymphocytes increases by 55%, i.e. cellular immunity improves. Such fillings also have a negative effect on the thyroid gland, testicles, and prostate gland.

Criminals do not ignore mercury and its salts either. Their favorite weapon has long been, and still is, corrosive sublimate due to its high toxicity. This is confirmed by numerous examples from judicial practice.

Complications and consequences

They are dangerous due to various damaging effects. Everything depends on what substance a person was poisoned with, what its concentration is, the method of penetration, how long the substance acted. In any case, it is necessary to provide first aid as quickly as possible, call an ambulance, and conduct further treatment.

The most dangerous complications are severe damage to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, renal and hepatic failure. Dangerous consequences of poisoning include damage to the nervous system. Chronic poisoning is dangerous because anemia, hypoxia, and red blood cell breakdown can develop. It is always necessary to remember that any poisoning, even intoxication with ordinary table salt, can end in death.

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Diagnostics heavy metal poisoning

The general clinical picture of poisoning is important for diagnosis. It can roughly indicate what substance a person was poisoned with, how it entered the body. Further treatment will depend on this. After first aid has been provided, when the main threat to life has passed, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out, which allows choosing further restorative and supportive treatment, depending on the damage to specific organs and systems and the symptoms that appear.

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Tests

In order to accurately determine the active substance that has a toxic effect on the body, a toxicological study is carried out. It makes it possible to accurately detect the substance and determine its concentration in the body. The effectiveness of further therapy and first aid depend on this. Thus, if you know exactly what substance caused the poisoning, you can administer an antidote and neutralize its effect.

At the stage of rehabilitation treatment, they look at how the salt affected the body, what changes occurred, and accordingly, the necessary treatment is selected. Thus, important information can be obtained by conducting a clinical blood test. It will show the general picture of the pathology and will allow determining the course of further treatment and examination. With the help of biochemical analysis, it is also possible to identify numerous changes in the biochemical state of the body. It is biochemistry that determines the physiological and functional state of the body. The slightest change in the biochemical background entails changes in the activity of the main organs and systems.

It is important to study the white blood cell count. An increase in the number of neutrophils indicates acute poisoning and a high concentration of toxin in the blood. The appearance of a large number of plasma cells in the blood serum may indicate the development of severe liver damage by the poison, the development of toxic hepatitis. Neutrophils and plasma cells increase sharply in intoxication shock, or pre-shock condition, and also indicate the development of inflammatory processes, damage to the liver and heart muscle. In this case, the content of band neutrophils may increase, the appearance of immature granulocytes (myelocytes, metamyelocytes) is detected, which is regarded as a shift in the white blood cell count to the left.

An increase in the number of eosinophils can be observed in cases of severe poisoning, in which toxic substances enter the blood in large quantities. A sharp increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may indicate poisoning with substances of chemical origin. A decrease in the number of platelets is manifested by alcohol intoxication, poisoning with salts of heavy metals.

Urine analysis can show significant information. Thus, a sharp increase in daily diuresis may indicate a disruption of normal kidney function. Intoxication shock, cardiac decompensation, severe kidney damage, collapse, a sharp decrease in daily diuresis can be observed. Most often, such a decrease is a consequence of poisoning with lead, arsenic, bismuth salts. Complete cessation of urine excretion (anuria) is a bad sign, indicating severe poisoning. It can be observed with a sharp manifestation of acute renal failure syndrome, terminal stage of heart failure, acute blood loss, uncontrollable vomiting, severe forms of acute nephrosis.

Ischuria of urine (its retention in the bladder and the inability to urinate independently) indicates a disorder of the neuromuscular system that has arisen as a result of toxic effects. An increase in the relative density of urine is also one of the signs of intoxication and indicates the development of nephrotic syndrome and congestion in the heart area. With the development of bleeding, urine can become dark brown, with renal colic, renal infarction, urine acquires a red tint, acute nephritis is accompanied by urine acquiring the appearance of meat slops. When a yellow-green tint appears in the urine, liver damage occurs.

By examining feces, one can obtain a clinical picture of pathological processes occurring in the gastrointestinal tract and liver. The main diagnostic criterion is the detection of occult blood in feces. This sign may indicate the development of necrotic, degenerative processes in the intestines and stomach.

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Instrumental diagnostics

It is used to detect pathology occurring in internal organs. It is often prescribed based on preliminary laboratory tests. Thus, if clinical blood and urine tests indicate kidney or liver damage, it is advisable to conduct additional research using ultrasound. It allows you to study the anatomical and morphological features of the organ being examined and identify possible pathologies, take the necessary measures. Ultrasound allows you to track processes in dynamics.

With the help of X-ray examination, it is possible to visualize the main pathologies occurring in the body, as well as track some processes in the image and in dynamics.

If there are signs of gastrointestinal tract damage, gastroscopy, rectoscopy, X-ray examination, ultrasound and others are performed. They make it possible to determine and visualize the sites of damage, the degree and stage of the burn and inflammatory process, and determine the necessary treatment.

If signs of damage to the heart muscle or failure are detected, it is advisable to conduct an ultrasound of the heart, electrocardiography, and other studies.

Differential diagnosis

The basis of differential diagnostics of poisoning is the need to accurately determine the substance that causes the poisoning effect. For this purpose, toxicological research is used as the main research method. If necessary, additional biochemical methods for determining the substance in human biological fluids are used.

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Treatment heavy metal poisoning

Salt poisoning requires mandatory administration of an antidote. In this case, at the beginning of the lavage and at the end of the procedure, an antidote is administered through a probe - a 5% solution of Unithiol (up to 300 ml). In case of lead poisoning, preference is given to a 2% soda solution. Saline solution can be used.

Read this article for more information on how to treat salt poisoning.

Prevention

To prevent poisoning, you must strictly follow safety precautions when working with salts. Poisoning with salts can be prevented if you work with them carefully and follow safety precautions. It is important to conduct briefings at the enterprise, train employees and require them to use protective equipment.

Try not to store salts that have a toxic effect at home. If such salts are stored, they must be kept separate from food products and away from children.

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Forecast

If first aid is provided promptly, the prognosis may be favorable. Salt can be neutralized and removed from the body. Gradually, after the necessary treatment, the body will fully recover. If first aid is not provided immediately after the substance enters the body, salt poisoning can have fatal consequences.

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