Poisoning: what it is, types, symptoms and treatment

Poisoning is when a toxic substance enters the body through ingestion, inhalation or through the skin, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting or mental confusion and, when severe, can put the person’s life at risk.

Normally, poisoning is caused by the ingestion of poorly preserved food, however, it can also happen due to incorrect use of medications, consumption of illicit drugs or alcohol and contact with heavy metals, for example.

If poisoning is suspected, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible. Treatment of poisoning depends on identifying its cause and may involve gastric lavage, medications to control blood pressure or heart rate and antidotes.

Difference between exogenous and endogenous intoxication

Exogenous intoxication is when substances are introduced into the body, through ingestion, absorption through the skin or inhalation, for example, damaging its functioning.

Endogenous intoxication is caused by the accumulation of harmful substances that the body itself produces, but which are usually eliminated through the action of the liver and kidneys, and can accumulate when these organs are insufficiency.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of poisoning are:

• Increase or decrease in body temperature;
• Intense Sister;
• Drowsiness, mental confusion or agitation;
• Lack of motor coordination;
• Convulsive crisis;
• Increase or decrease in the diameter of the pupils;
• Visual changes, such as blurring, clouding or darkening;
• Accelerated or slow heartbeats and arrhythmias;
• Low or high blood pressure;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Abdominal pain;
• Redness or injuries to the skin;
• Urinary and fecal retention or incontinence.

Normally, symptoms vary according to the substance that the organism has come into contact with and its quantity. Furthermore, some substances, such as lead and other heavy metals, can gradually accumulate in the body and may take months or years before symptoms are noticed.

Types of intoxication

There are some types of intoxication:

1. Food poisoning

Food poisoning is when food contaminated by substances produced by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, are ingested, which can cause symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea. Understand better what food poisoning is.

2. Drug poisoning

Drug poisoning usually happens when medications, such as paracetamol, digoxin or lithium, are used incorrectly, especially when in doses above those recommended by the doctor.

In this case, the symptoms vary according to the medication ingested, and can cause everything from nausea, vomiting and loss of balance to mental confusion, seizures, arrhythmias and coma.

3. Alcohol poisoning

Alcohol poisoning generally occurs when alcoholic beverages are consumed in large quantities, which can cause symptoms such as slowed speech, nausea, vomiting, lack of coordination and, in the most serious cases, coma. See more symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

4. Lead poisoning

Lead poisoning can happen when this metal, which can be present in paint, old plumbing and dust from minerals or construction sites, is inhaled or ingested, causing symptoms such as headache, memory difficulties and weakness. Learn more about the symptoms of lead and other heavy metal poisoning.

5. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when this gas is inhaled in large quantities, due to fires or engines running in unventilated places, for example, which can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, arrhythmias and even coma. Understand better what carbon monoxide poisoning is.

First aid for poisoning

First aid that should be given in a case of poisoning includes:

1. Call SAMU 192 immediatelyto ask for help;
2. Contact the Toxicological Information and Assistance Center (CIAT)by calling 0800-722-6001, to receive guidance from professionals while medical help arrives;
3. Keep the person away from the toxic substancewashing with water if it comes into contact with the skin, or changing the environment if it is inhaled;
4. Keep the person lying in a lateral positionto avoid injury if you faint.

Furthermore, it is important to try to identify the substance that caused the poisoning, checking medicine boxes and cleaning product containers, for example, to help healthcare professionals with more information. Understand better what to do in case of intoxication or poisoning.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for poisoning depends on its cause and severity, and may sometimes not require specific treatment.

However, in more serious cases, measures such as serum injection, use of oxygen and medications to control blood pressure and heart rate may initially be indicated.

Sometimes, antidotes can also be used to reverse the effects of some specific substances in the body. However, there are no antidotes for all substances that cause poisoning.

The main antidotes in case of poisoning are:

Furthermore, if the substance has been ingested, measures such as gastric or intestinal lavage and the use of activated charcoal may also be indicated, to prevent the person from getting worse due to its absorption.