Endogenous toxicosis: description, stages and types of intoxication

Exogenous intoxication is a disorder caused by negative environmental factors and accompanied by a specific clinical picture. Requires emergency care, timely diagnosis and hospitalization. Compared to the endogenous type, it is much more common in medical practice. Sometimes it ends in the death of the patient. The ICD code varies from T36–78.

General definition of acute poisoning

The term “intoxication of the body” is a collective and very broad definition that is used for many pathological conditions and diseases. Intoxication means poisoning of the body by some microorganisms or substances. There are exogenous and endogenous, as well as chronic and acute intoxication.

During acute poisoning, the body simultaneously receives a large amount of poisons or toxins. This condition is expressed by the rapid deterioration of a person's condition. If a patient comes into contact with a substance for a long time, for example, at the workplace, then he begins to experience chronic poisoning.

Exogenous intoxication of the body

During this type of intoxication, a toxic substance enters the body from the external environment. This poisoning can be both chronic and acute. The main reasons for the appearance of exogenous intoxication are as follows:

1. Drug intoxication occurs as a result of an overdose of drugs or when they interact with alcoholic beverages. It can appear during a suicide attempt or self-medication. A child can also be poisoned by medications if they accidentally drink them.
2. Food poisoning. It appears when eating contaminated, spoiled or rotten food. Mushroom poisoning is also likely, which is characterized by damage to the central nervous system and fulminant intoxication.
3. Acute bacterial or viral infections. Acute bacterial damage to internal organs, acute respiratory viral infections, and influenza lead to severe intoxication syndrome. The more dangerous the infection, the more severe the poisoning.
4. Alcohol poisoning. Even high-quality alcoholic drinks can lead to acute intoxication, given their consumption in large quantities. Alcohol substitutes often lead to disability or death.
5. Gas poisoning occurs due to gas leaks or fires. Toxic substances (propane, methane, carbon monoxide) penetrate through the lungs into the body when breathing. These substances lead to acute hypoxia, damage to the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
6. Poisoning with alkalis, chemicals, detergents, acids. These intoxications usually occur accidentally and are most often observed in children who drink an unknown liquid by mistake. Poisoning can also occur during industrial accidents.

Causes of endogenous poisoning

During this intoxication, toxic substances begin to be produced directly by the body. Endotoxins can be products of metabolic and inflammatory reactions, hormones and enzymes. Under certain circumstances, for example, with increased physical activity or acute inflammation, acute renal failure, dehydration, substances that are produced by the body itself become toxic and dangerous.

In addition, endotoxins are produced by malignant neoplasms during the growth and progression of cancerous tumors. Patients who suffer from cancer always have low-grade body temperature, and the level of inflammatory indicator in the blood test is off the charts.

What substances can cause poisoning?

Milady Intoxication has a huge number of reasons and reasons to poison, and in her arsenal there are many exogenous and endogenous poisons.

Exogenous toxic substances enter the body from the outside. That is, through the skin and mucous membranes, the upper respiratory tract, and the digestive tract. The most common cause of intoxication is poisoning with ethanol, methanol, heavy metal salts, household chemicals, carbon monoxide, poor-quality food, contaminated water, and medications.

Microbes, penetrating into the body, cause not only disease, but also poisoning with their toxins. The “reason” for exogenous intoxication of the body can, for example, be poisonous representatives of flora and fauna, the pale grebe and puffer fish.

Endogenous poisons are formed in the human body as a result of metabolism, as a consequence of diseases and various pathological conditions: for example, cancer intoxication (with the development of malignant tumors), uremia (with chronic renal failure), thyrotoxicosis (with increased production of thyroid hormones), tuberculosis intoxication and so on.

If the detoxifying function of the liver is insufficient, a large amount of toxic metabolic products accumulates in the body, leading to endogenous intoxication. With complications of diabetes, the body is poisoned by products of carbohydrate metabolism - ketone bodies.

Signs and clinical symptoms

Symptoms and signs of intoxication will depend on the cause of the poisoning and the method of penetration of the toxin into the body. Let us describe the main features of the clinical symptoms of intoxication, taking into account the etiology of development.

Food poisoning

On average, the first symptoms appear within the first 8 hours after eating a contaminated or spoiled product. During poisoning with poisonous mushrooms, the clinical picture appears after 15-20 minutes, and in case of infection with botulism or intoxication with canned food - after 20-24 hours.

Main signs of food poisoning:

• Vomiting and nausea are protective reactions of the body. By vomiting, the stomach removes bacteria and toxins. In the masses of vomit you can see mucus, bile and food debris.
• General weakness, dizziness and headache are the main symptoms of intoxication of the body.
• An increase in body temperature during food poisoning does not always appear. The manifestation of this symptom indicates a severe course of the disease and a pronounced intoxication syndrome.
• Diarrhea. Its frequency and volume will depend on the degree of intestinal intoxication and the cause of poisoning. So, with salmonellosis, the stool is foamy and green, and with dysentery, it is watery.
• With the development of botulism, the patient’s signs of central nervous system damage increase over time: vision, coordination, swallowing, speech deteriorate, paresis, paralysis and convulsions may appear.
• Tachycardia is a sign of severe intoxication, dehydration, and an accelerated pulse is noted.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol

Alcohol intoxication appears 2-3 hours after drinking alcohol.
During methyl alcohol poisoning, symptoms may appear only after 24 hours. Initially, the disease occurs on the principle of food poisoning. The patient vomits, develops diarrhea, and has abdominal pain. But after this, convulsive attacks and hallucinations may develop, and the person may fall into a coma.

Alcohol poisoning is often complicated by damage to the kidneys and liver. During severe poisoning syndrome, breathing and heart function are impaired.

Please note that when intoxicated with methyl alcohol, visual impairment may occur. At first, a person notices a decrease in the clarity and sharpness of what he sees. Without treatment, complete blindness begins, followed by death.

Damage from alkalis and acids

A characteristic feature of this intoxication is a burn of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach, caused by substances that the patient drank. Alkalies and acids can cause damage to the integrity of the walls of blood vessels and eat away the mucous membrane. Poisoning with alkalis and acids is often accompanied by bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Clinical symptoms of intoxication with acids and alkalis:

• Tachycardia.
• Burning and pain in the stomach and along the esophagus.
• Hypotension (low blood pressure).
• Dyspnea.
• Impaired consciousness.
• Vomiting bloody or black contents is a sign of bleeding.

When alkalis and acids enter the body, the pancreas, liver, and kidneys are affected.

Drug overdose

Any medication, when taken incorrectly, can cause overdose and intoxication. Signs of medical poisoning will depend on the active substance. Most often, in the next half hour after taking a toxic dose of medicine, the first symptoms of poisoning appear. They can be similar to a toxic food infection (manifest by abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting) or be expressed by symptoms of damage to various systems and organs.

Please note that the instructions for any medication describe the symptoms that may appear during an overdose.

Infections of a bacterial or viral nature

Any infection that enters the body begins to lead to intoxication syndrome.
For example, in case of blood intoxication, sepsis, bacteria cause an inflammatory systemic reaction; bacterial infection is observed in many systems and organs. Intoxication syndrome during infections is expressed by an increase in body temperature to subfebrile or febrile levels, headache, chills, dizziness and general severe weakness. Muscle pain, joint aches, diarrhea and vomiting may occur.

Household or natural gas

The rate at which symptoms increase during gas intoxication will depend on its concentration in the air. The higher the concentration, the faster the damage to the body develops.

During the inhalation of fumes, protein and hemoglobin, which delivers oxygen to all cells, begin to turn into methemoglobin - a substance that is not able to bind oxygen. Which leads to hypoxia - a lack of oxygen, which primarily affects the kidneys, heart and brain.

Signs of gas intoxication include:

• pain in the eyes, increased lacrimation;
• suffocating and dry cough, accompanied by a sore throat;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• respiratory failure, during which the respiratory rate is more than 25-30 times per minute, shortness of breath appears;
• vomiting, nausea (develop as a result of hypoxia);
• syncope (fainting);
• feeling of lack of oxygen;
• hallucinations;
• convulsions;
• coma.

By severity

All cases of poisoning are divided into 3 categories:

1. Lungs. They are characterized by the absence of symptoms and do not pose a significant threat to the health and life of the victim. Mild intoxication can usually be treated at home. It does not cause complications, the consequences of contact with the poison disappear on their own within a few days.
2. Moderate weight. Characterized by severe or persistent symptoms and require medical attention.
3. Heavy. They are distinguished by severe or life-threatening symptoms: the effect of the poison affects the functioning of the heart, brain, and liver.

The severity of intoxication depends on the amount of poison taken and the individual characteristics of the patient.

Basic diagnostic methods

Intoxication is considered a very general concept, and in order for a doctor to determine the correct etiological treatment, it is necessary to determine its cause. The diagnosis is made by a specialist after examining the patient, examining him and taking a detailed history. It is important to tell your doctor the following information:

• Time of appearance of the first signs of the disease.
• Having had contact with an infectious person in recent weeks (the incubation period for certain infections can be quite long).
• Recent illnesses.
• The presence of chronic diseases (for example, hypertension, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, coronary heart disease, etc.).
• What could trigger the disease (you need to tell your doctor what foods you have eaten recently and taken medications).

Do not forget that if you are allergic to any food components or medications, you must definitely tell your doctor about it.

To establish an accurate diagnosis, determine the pathogen and assess the person’s condition, additional instrumental and laboratory examination of the patient may be required. If a person’s condition is serious, then diagnosis is carried out simultaneously with first aid.

List of diagnostic methods that may be necessary to establish a diagnosis during intoxication:

• Urinalysis is required to determine chronic or acute renal failure, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis.
• A detailed blood test allows you to determine a viral or bacterial infection, anemia, and helminthic infestation. Also, this examination can help to suspect the process of oncology, since it is characterized by an increase in ROE of more than 45 mm/sec.
• Bacteriological culture of stool is performed to determine intestinal infection.
• A biochemical blood test is performed to detect water and electrolyte abnormalities in the blood, damage to the pancreas, kidneys, and liver.
• Electrocardiography is performed to identify the performance of the heart and to determine myocardial ischemia and rhythm deviations.
• Ultrasound of internal organs is required to determine the pathology of the gallbladder, liver, pancreas and kidneys.
• Gastroscopy is an examination of the mucous membrane of the duodenum, esophagus and stomach using a gastroscope. This examination is prescribed for poisoning with alkalis and acids.
• Spirometry is a diagnostic method that allows you to identify breathing problems. Produced in case of damage to the respiratory system and gas poisoning.

Intoxication is a collective concept that reflects infection or damage to the body by microorganisms or toxins. Toxic substances can come from outside or be produced directly by the body. Treatment is prescribed by a specialist after diagnosis is made. Why is a detailed examination of the patient carried out, which allows us to establish the cause of the development of intoxication.

Intoxication is a pathological condition caused by exposure to toxins of various origins. In this case, disruption of the body’s vital functions occurs, deterioration in well-being, damage to many organs and systems, and sometimes death. The severity of a person’s condition depends on what kind of poison and in what quantity entered the body, the duration of its exposure and the body’s resources for recovery. Today, several million different toxins are known that can have a negative impact on human health. In this article we will look at how to recognize the onset of intoxication, the reasons for its development and possible treatment options.

Making a diagnosis and determining the type of poisoning

The doctor first clarifies the history of the disease and life, tries to establish the cause of the deterioration in the victim’s well-being. He conducts a general examination, during which he pays special attention to the localization and nature of the pain syndrome, increased body temperature and visible structural changes in the tissues of the oral cavity and skin. Next, the doctor writes out directions for the following laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods:

• general, biochemical detailed blood test;
• bacterial culture of secretions;
• coprogram;
• general urine analysis;
• ECG;
• Ultrasound of the heart, abdominal organs;
• plain chest x-ray;
• FGDS;
• MRI and CT scan of the body part of interest;
• serological tests in the presence of infection.

Consultation with several specialists is often required: a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, a psychiatrist-narcologist, and others.

Classification of poisonings

Depending on the method of penetration of toxic substances into the body, it is customary to distinguish two types of intoxication:

• Endogenous. The formation of toxins occurs in the body itself.
• Exogenous. Toxic substances come from outside.

Endogenous and exogenous intoxication of the body can cause dangerous consequences for the body. Timely treatment is very important.

Experts also identify several forms of the disease, which depend on the duration of contact with a toxic substance.

• Subacute intoxication. Occurs when a person is repeatedly exposed to the toxin. There is a disruption in the functionality of the body.
• Acute exogenous intoxication. Caused by short-term human contact with a toxic substance. The symptoms are more pronounced than in the previous form.
• Super acute. The most dangerous form of poisoning. Occurs when a large amount of toxic substances enter the body. Can cause serious damage to the central nervous system and sometimes death in a very short time.
• Chronic exogenous intoxication. Appears with prolonged contact with toxic substances. It happens that a person doesn’t even know about it, thereby missing time for treatment. The symptoms are quite mild, the clinical manifestations are erased.

Features of the condition

Exogenous poisoning is a type of poisoning included in a large group of general intoxications, which is the body’s reaction to the ingestion of toxic substances or poisons. All toxic compounds, if they enter the body, can lead to serious complications, disability or even death of the patient, which is why it is so important to begin timely cleansing and restoration measures. Intoxications are classified into biological, occupational, household, medicinal, accidental, intentional and others.

Classification allows us to clarify the nature of the course of the disease. The main routes of entry of toxins or poisons during exogenous intoxication are as follows:

• digestive organs (during eating, drinking);
• respiratory organs (inhalation of toxic fumes);
• parenteral (various manipulations with venous access);
• skin and mucous membranes (eg, insect bites)

Any substance can become potentially dangerous under certain conditions. Thus, spoiled foods can cause severe food poisoning in a child, while an adult will experience minor discomfort in the epigastric area. An overdose of alcoholic products or medications can also cause serious poisoning, including the development of coma, so the age, weight of the patient and the dose of the toxic component are of great importance. Particularly severe in terms of severity are:

• poisoning with sedatives or hypnotics;
• carbon monoxide.

Poisoning with medications for insomnia often occurs during a suicide attempt, when the maximum dose is deliberately taken. Typically, such conditions are not accompanied by motor restlessness. In severe cases, reflexes are partially evoked; in especially severe cases, they are completely lost (including the corneal layer). As intoxication develops, tachycardia occurs and bilateral broncho-pneumonic foci are formed in the pulmonary structures. Typically, in severe forms of poisoning, the death of the patient occurs, and the drug composition is detected later in the vomit or in the contents of the stomach. Carbon monoxide poisoning is also often diagnosed in suicide attempts or in industrial settings. Poisoning is characterized by pink discoloration of the skin of the face. As the clinical picture worsens, the skin becomes cyanotic. The muscle structures of all extremities are in motor-contractile activity, the pupils are dilated, pronounced tachycardia is noted, and body temperature rises.

Important! The faster the patient is provided with care, including resuscitation, peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, the higher the patient’s chances of a full recovery and preservation of life. Each toxic substance in exogenous intoxication has its own clinical picture, which in some cases simplifies the initial diagnosis.

Drug intoxication

Features of poisoning

Exogenous intoxication is a pathological condition in which poisoning occurs due to the ingestion of toxic substances from the environment into the body. The poisoning process can develop rapidly with all the accompanying symptoms or occur slowly.

It depends on what kind of toxin is affecting the body, how long it lasts, and what the response of the person's immune system is. In the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10), exogenous intoxication is coded T36-T78.

Clinical signs

Substances that cause various chronic poisonings have different properties, and therefore the effect they have on the body will also be different.

Let's consider the most common types of chronic intoxication:

• Chronic mercury intoxication most often occurs in industrial conditions.

There are complaints of headaches, increased fatigue, drowsiness, sleep disturbance, and irritability. Later, tendon reflexes increase, with outstretched arms - tremor of the fingers, which intensifies from excitement, the function of the thyroid and gonads is disrupted, tachycardia and red dermographism develop (one of the types of urticaria).

Possible reasons

The main causes of symptoms of exogenous intoxication are exposure to toxic substances. Let's look at the most common of them.

• Smoke in the air.
• Poor quality or spoiled products.
• Narcotic substances.
• Alcohol
• Some medications. In this case, exogenous intoxication according to ICD 10 will be coded T36-T50.
• Poor working conditions (for example, in hazardous industries).
• Animal poisons.
• Heavy metals.
• Chemical elements.
• Mushrooms.
• Household chemicals.
• Arsenic.
• Selenium.
• Pesticides and nitrates used in the agricultural industry.
• Acid and alkali.

It happens that the development of intoxication is associated not with the substances themselves, but with the products of their processing in the body.

By reason and place of occurrence

This classification is often used by forensic doctors. Based on the cause and location of occurrence, all cases of poisoning are divided into two large groups.

Random

Occur without special intent: due to careless behavior, violation or ignorance of safety rules, or lack of awareness of the patient about a possible threat. They include the following types of poisoning:

Production. They develop under the influence of toxic substances used by employees of industrial enterprises or research centers. In most cases, they occur due to violation of safety regulations.

Household. The category includes alcohol and drug intoxication, drug overdose, incorrect use of medications during self-medication, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Iatrogenic or medical errors. Occurs in both inpatient and outpatient settings. They develop due to incorrect dosage, method of administration of the drug, or erroneous diagnosis.

Deliberate

Occur with the purpose of deliberately causing harm. In this case, the culprit of the poisoning may not fully understand the consequences of his action. It is customary to divide these cases of intoxication into 4 groups:

1. Criminal. Includes cases of intentional poisoning of a third party or rendering him helpless.
2. Suicidal. Committed for the purpose of suicide, as well as simulation of suicide (demonstrative poisoning).
3. Policemen. Occurs when protesters are dispersed using tear gas or similar poisons.
4. Combat. They develop when exposed to chemical weapons.

Symptoms

Signs of exogenous intoxication are numerous and depend on many factors. Let's consider the main ones:

• The method of entry of the toxin into the body.
• The frequency of its impact.
• Concentration of toxic substance.
• Determining the properties of the toxin is of great importance in exogenous and endogenous intoxications.
• The body's response to the intake of a toxic product.

Symptoms include the following:

• Headache.
• A sharp increase in body temperature to high values. But when poisoned by certain medications, the temperature can drop significantly.
• Body aches.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Chills.
• Allergic reactions.
• Bad breath.
• Heartburn.
• Flatulence and bowel dysfunction.
• Heart rhythm disturbances.
• Shortness of breath, cough, shortness of breath.
• Changes in blood pressure.
• Increased sweating.
• Cyanosis.
• In especially severe cases, signs of damage to the central nervous system are observed. These include dizziness, convulsions, speech and motor impairment, confusion and fainting.

It is worth noting that poisoning with some poisons has peculiar features by which the toxic substance can be identified.

Signs of chronic exogenous intoxication will be somewhat different from those listed above. These include:

• Frequent headaches.
• Depression.
• Sleep disorders.
• Heartburn, stool disorders.
• Nervousness.
• Changes in body weight.
• Fatigue.

Signs

Symptoms are variable, manifestations depend on the causative factor, the state of human health and the concentration of the toxic substance. However, by analyzing all cases of intoxication, experts have compiled a generalized clinical picture, from which a diagnosis can already be made. The details are described below in the table.

As for the skin, it acquires a red or blue-violet hue, it all depends on the condition of the vessels that nourish the tissue.

Stages of intoxication

Several periods of poisoning have been described, their duration depending on the type of chemical compound ingested. Highlight:

1. The latent or asymptomatic stage is a stage that lasts from the moment the poison enters the body until the formation of symptoms.
2. Toxigenic - includes a gradual or acute sudden onset, decrease or distortion of the functional activity of organs, which requires immediate drug correction.
3. Somatogenic – a significant deterioration in the course of exogenous intoxication, complications of the disease are formed.
4. The recovery period is a return to a full life, the disappearance of clinical manifestations.

Each stage requires a special medical approach that can remove the patient from poisoning.

Chronic exogenous intoxication is characterized by an alternation of two periods: exacerbation and remission. With the latter, symptoms are mild or completely absent.

Diagnostics

Diagnosing intoxication is not difficult. It is more difficult to determine the source of this condition. For this, a set of diagnostic measures is used, which includes the following procedures:

• Examination of the patient and collection of clinical history.
• Listening to heart rate.
• Measurement of blood pressure and heart rate.
• Fundus examination.
• ECG.
• General analysis of urine and blood.
• Blood chemistry.
• Carrying out special tests.

Poisoning with pesticides

Poisoning with pesticides is the result of a gross violation of the instructions for the use and storage of these chemicals. Most often, poisoning occurs with organophosphorus compounds that enter the body through inhaled air or with food. Symptoms of poisoning appear within 15-60 minutes. These are signs of damage to the nervous system, increased salivation, sweating, sputum production, and changes in breathing. Leg cramps soon follow. If a person does not receive help, muscle paralysis, respiratory arrest and death occur. The patient's life depends on how quickly he is taken to the hospital. If poisons enter the stomach, it is necessary to urgently lavage the stomach with an adsorbent substance. The person is also given saline laxatives. Toxic chemicals that come into contact with the skin are removed as quickly as possible with a stream of water.

First aid

Poisoning is a dangerous condition, which in some cases can lead to serious consequences in a short time. In this case, timely treatment is important. To protect yourself and your loved ones, you need to know how to provide first aid before the ambulance arrives.

• First of all, you need to thoroughly wash your face and rinse your eyes. The procedure should be performed carefully so as not to cause damage.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Induce vomiting.
• Cold must be applied to the area of ​​the digestive tract.

It should be noted that the above methods of first aid are not suitable for everyone. This will depend on the source of the pathological condition. Therefore, you should consult a doctor (for example, by calling an ambulance).

First aid

It is necessary to stop further contact with toxins, remove them from the body, call an ambulance and provide emergency assistance before the doctor arrives:

1. In case of intoxication through the respiratory system (poisonous gases), it is important to provide a supply of fresh air. Remove from tight clothing, rinse mouth and nose, give water or warm tea, ensure rest.
2. In case of oral poisoning, you need to rinse the stomach with water, give anti-poisoning agents (sorbents) to remove harmful substances from the body and water (to prevent dehydration).
3. In case of intoxication through the skin or mucous membranes, the affected area is thoroughly washed with water.
4. If there is no consciousness, the victim is placed on his side, breathing and pulse are monitored.

Further treatment is carried out after hospitalization in the hospital. Mild poisoning can be treated on an outpatient basis.

Treatment

Treatment of intoxication includes conservative therapy and diet. Therapy in most cases consists of several stages, which include:

• Removing poison that has not yet been absorbed.
• Removing poison that has already entered the body. For this purpose, serums and antidotes are used.
• Carrying out all necessary procedures to relieve intoxication.
• Elimination of consequences.

Detoxification methods include:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Gastric lavage. In a hospital setting, a probe is inserted through the esophagus. For first aid, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and induce vomiting. Then you need to take sorbents.
• Reception of adsorbents.
• Taking enzymes.
• Antioxidants.
• Oxygen therapy (treatment with oxygen).
• Blood transfusion. Required for poisoning with alcohol or vinegar.
• Hemosorption.

If the doctor diagnoses mild poisoning and a significant improvement in the condition, the patient is left for home treatment with a treatment plan determined. If the condition stabilizes, after a few days it is necessary to take blood and urine tests to confirm recovery.

Diet plays a big role in eliminating the symptoms of intoxication, because the body needs to restore lost nutrients and energy. In this case, the food should be high in calories, but at the same time easy to digest and not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Treatment tactics

The effectiveness of therapeutic measures determines the success of all treatment of intoxications. If in the initial stage the poison was removed from the body and preventive measures were taken against damage to the brain, liver and kidney structures. The treatment process consists of the following main stages:

• removal of poison that has not yet been absorbed;
• removal of absorbed poison (antidote therapy);
• provision of a full range of therapeutic measures (including resuscitation);
• elimination of the consequences of intoxication.

Timely treatment can reduce the risks of serious complications from the nervous system and vital organs. Sometimes the patient’s life depends on the speed of first aid.

Gastric lavage

It is carried out in case of poisoning through the mouth. Lavage involves removing toxic substances through vomiting. To do this, insert a thick probe with a funnel through the esophagus or use a duodenal (children's) probe. First aid before the ambulance arrives may consist of the patient swallowing a large amount of water and then inducing vomiting. When the gag reflex is suppressed, apomorphine solution is used.

Antidote therapy

When the body is intoxicated with heavy salts or arsenic, an antidote against metals is used (high concentrations of an aqueous solution of hydrogen sulfide). The solution is administered gradually, about 100 ml, before washing the gastric cavity. Sometimes this solution is diluted in water for rinsing.

Alternating diuresis

Forced diuresis is necessary to remove toxic substances from the body. Heavy drinking is combined with the administration of large doses of loop diuretics. Early stimulation of diuresis with simultaneous fluid intake of up to 5-10 liters and Lasix, Furosemide in appropriate dosages is considered effective. Diuretics are administered intravenously.

Blood transfusion

Treatment of intoxications by blood transfusion is recommended for poisoning with compounds of chlorinated hydrocarbons (for example, carbon tetrachloride), vinegar, ethyl or methyl alcohols. Blood is withdrawn from the radial artery through arteriopuncture and infused through the cubital vein. It is important that the volume of transfused blood is almost 1.5-2 times the volume of the recipient's blood. At the same time, calcium chloride (10% solution) is administered to prevent citrate poisoning and prevent acidosis.

Peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is a simple and safe method of cleansing the blood of toxins. Early cleansing is carried out only in case of acute poisoning with various substances and is carried out only in specialized departments (toxicology, nephrology department, intensive care unit). To systematically cleanse the blood when kidney function is depressed, a stoma is implanted into the peritoneum for subsequent connections to the cleansing system. Hemodialysis (artificial kidney device) is used at any stage of treatment of intoxications of almost any origin. Contraindications to blood purification in this way include hypotension, blood clotting disorders, and intravascular bleeding.

Important! Any method of eliminating exogenous intoxications through parenteral access should be carried out by specialists in the departments of clinical hospitals. This is necessary to exclude the addition of infections and the development of extensive sepsis.

Need for resuscitation

Sometimes cases arise when resuscitation therapy is necessary. These include the hyperacute form of poisoning and chronic unspecified exogenous intoxication.

Let us consider in more detail the signs of pathological conditions and resuscitation actions used in each specific case.

• Hypothermia. It can occur in case of nitrate poisoning, in which vasospasm occurs and, as a result, a decrease in body temperature.
• Damage to the respiratory system. The respiratory center may be depressed and the tongue may sink. Acupressure therapy is required.
• Hyperthermia. Body temperature can reach up to 41 degrees.
• Disorders of the digestive system. In this case, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract may occur and prolonged loose stools may appear. Such conditions can lead to dangerous consequences. Urgent help is needed.
• The occurrence of seizures leading to breathing problems and brain hypoxia.
• Development of liver and kidney failure, which can cause hepatitis and jaundice.

If the patient has lost consciousness before the ambulance arrives, it is necessary to lay him on a flat surface and turn his head to the side. Remove excess clothing and provide access to fresh air. Constantly check your breathing and pulse. If they stop, it is necessary to perform indirect cardiac massage until the ambulance arrives.

Signs of acute and chronic intoxication of the body

In case of acute intoxication of the body, the patient experiences:

• heat;
• headache;
• muscle and joint pain;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• diarrhea.

When exposed to strong poisons, there is a serious threat to life. In such cases, urgent hospitalization is necessary, since it is not possible to relieve intoxication at home!

Chronic intoxication may be accompanied by:

• weight loss;
• aversion to food;
• insomnia;
• depression;
• indigestion;
• anemia;
• decreased immunity;
• dermatitis;
• prone to allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases.

With a decrease in the body's defenses and a severe purulent infection, intoxication syndrome develops.

This condition may occur against the background of:

• peritonitis;
• pleural empyema;
• osteomyelitis;
• phlegmon;
• abscess;
• sepsis.

Severe intoxication of the body leads to toxic damage to the heart muscle, nervous system, liver and kidneys.

Palpitations, depression of consciousness or euphoria, kidney and liver failure are the main signs of intoxication syndrome.

The diagnosis is made through blood tests and the leukocyte index of intoxication. This important research method makes it possible to assess the severity of endogenous intoxication and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Normally, the values ​​of the leukocyte index of intoxication range from 0.3 to 1.5. An increase in values ​​from 4 to 9 indicates endogenous poisoning.

Possible consequences

Severe intoxications can affect many organs and systems of the body. The most common complications from exposure to toxins include:

• Dehydration.
• Acute pancreatitis.
• Kidney and liver failure.
• Pneumonia.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Shock.
• Pulmonary edema.
• Mental disorders.
• Tissue damage.
• Violation of water and electrolyte balance.
• Brain damage.
• Development of coma and death.

Poisoning with drugs and alcohol

If a home first aid kit is stored in a place accessible to children, this often becomes the reason for children being poisoned with medications. Poisonings in adults occur due to accidental overdose or suicide attempts. The manifestations of this type of poisoning are varied and depend on the drug. For example, with an overdose of sleeping pills, profound inhibition of the central nervous system is observed. The person is unconscious and paralysis of the respiratory center develops.

Another common cause of poisoning is alcohol. In severe cases, the person becomes unconscious. The brain, heart, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and liver are affected. When the respiratory center is paralyzed, a person dies.

Prevention

There are numerous toxins that can cause poisoning in the body. Therefore, preventive measures will cover many factors of their development.

• Drink only high-quality water and food.
• Before taking medications, you must read the instructions and check the expiration dates.
• Timely detection and treatment of chronic and infectious diseases.
• Do not eat unknown mushrooms.
• Before going into the forest, you must wear protective equipment.
• When working with toxic substances, you must follow safety rules.

It is important to remember that for the safety of children it is necessary to remove all hazardous substances from their reach.

Carbon monoxide and lighting monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning is possible under the following conditions:

• in production, where it is used for the synthesis of organic substances,
• in unventilated areas,
• at home - in case of a leak of lighting gas and untimely closed stove dampers in rooms heated by a stove.

Poisoning manifests itself as headache, heaviness in the head, nausea, and dizziness. There is tinnitus and heart rate increases. Later, muscle weakness and vomiting appear. If a person does not leave the room with poisonous air, then weakness increases, shortness of breath and blackouts appear. Subsequently, breathing becomes shallow, convulsions appear, and death occurs.

First aid is to move the person to clean air. If shallow breathing is weak or stops, the victim needs artificial respiration. In case of severe poisoning, hospitalization is necessary.

What can cause exogenous intoxication?

Any substance under certain circumstances can cause acute intoxication and poisoning . Everything a person comes into contact with and ingests has an impact on him. Whether it is good or bad depends on many factors, for example, the age and weight of the person, the amount of substance ingested, and the presence of chronic diseases. For example, alcohol in small doses does not cause intoxication or poisoning. In case of an overdose or consumption of alcohol by a child, severe exogenous intoxication develops.

The most common causes of exogenous intoxication include:

• low-quality, spoiled or expired food products;
• alcoholic drinks or alcohol substitutes (methyl, ethylene glycol);
• drug use, overdose;
• drug overdose. Any medication, if used incorrectly, can cause severe intoxication;
• poisons of insects, plants and animals. For example, the bite of a viper or rattlesnake leads to fatal exogenous intoxication;
• poisonous mushrooms (fly agarics, toadstools, etc.). The toxins and poisons found in such mushrooms are not destroyed even by heat treatment;
• toxic gases, smoke or chemical fumes. Such substances enter the body through the respiratory tract and are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Some of them, for example, carbon monoxide, lead to severe damage to the central nervous system;
• salts of heavy metals (mercury, lead, etc.). With prolonged contact with them at work, chronic exogenous intoxication develops, in which structural changes are observed in many internal organs;
• household chemicals, detergents, and cosmetics most often lead to exogenous intoxication in children. Kids are interested in tasting everything; aromatic strawberry shower gel can attract them;
• acids and alkalis. These substances most often accidentally enter the body due to carelessness. For example, poisoning can occur if you accidentally ingest citric acid, which was poured into a kettle to cleanse plaque. Acids and alkalis can cause severe burns of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach ;
• nitrates and pesticides are deadly poisonous to humans. They are used in the agricultural industry to improve plant growth and protect them from pests. If safety standards are not followed, chemicals accumulate in plants and make them dangerous and toxic.

What is intoxication?

Poisoning is a disease that includes structural and functional disorders in the body and is caused by a list of negative factors of the external or internal environment. Based on this, experts distinguish two types of pathology, described in more detail below.

Exogenous intoxication

This type of poisoning is caused by negative environmental influences. Among all etiological factors, special attention is paid to the following reasons:

• missing food products containing intestinal infection or toxins synthesized by bacteria;
• parasites (giardia, roundworm);
• pills, overdoses of which are common among children and people over sixty years of age;
• low-quality alcohol or its high concentration in the blood, surrogates;
• chemicals, this includes household and industrial liquids and mixtures (acetone, benzene nitro compounds, solvents);
• gas emerging from leaks or fires;
• initially poisonous plants, mushrooms containing alkaloids (wolfberry, toadstool);
• smoking (nicotine poisoning);
• heavy metals;
• radiation.

The first three points, according to statistics, occur in most cases; not only a child or an old person, but also a teenager and an adult are at risk.

Endogenous intoxication

It is most often a surgical pathology, since its development mechanism is based on the functional failure of organs and the formation of a large lesion containing necrotic, purulent masses.

The condition accompanies diseases such as:

• dysbacteriosis;
• abscess of one location or another;
• phlegmon;
• gangrene;
• acute tissue inflammation;
• oncology;
• hormonal imbalance, endocrine disorders (diffuse toxic goiter, diabetes mellitus);
• liver failure;
• uremic syndrome;
• pneumonia;
• intestinal obstruction.

Rarely, the cause is normal microflora that synthesize poisons due to a malfunction in vital processes or mutations in the genetic material.

How does exogenous intoxication manifest itself?

Acute exogenous poisonings clinically manifest quickly. Most often, the first symptoms develop during the first 2-6 hours .
Manifestations and signs of intoxication depend on the type of toxic substance, its quantity, route of entry into the body, age and weight of the patient. Most often, exogenous intoxication begins to manifest itself as general and typical symptoms of poisoning. They may be accompanied by signs of damage to the central nervous system, internal organs, heart and breathing.

Please note that poisoning with certain toxins has typical features and nuances that doctors know about, and based on them they can suspect a specific toxic substance.

The most characteristic symptoms of exogenous intoxications are listed below:

• Disorders of the digestive system. These include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, pain in the abdomen, upset stool, and flatulence. These groups of symptoms most often develop from oral ingestion of toxins.
• Damage to the respiratory system is manifested by a dry cough, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, and rapid breathing. The lungs are most severely affected by poisoning with toxic gases and vapors. With severe chemical intoxication, pulmonary edema and acute respiratory failure may develop.
• Hyperthermia is an increase in body temperature. This symptom is typical for food poisoning, overdose of sleeping pills and tranquilizers, intoxication with salts of heavy metals, etc. When intoxicated with certain medications, for example, paracetamol or aspirin, a sharp decrease in body temperature and hypothermia can be observed.
• Heart rhythm disturbances develop with almost every exogenous intoxication. Rapid heartbeat and tachycardia are a sign of dehydration and loss of electrolytes by the body. Arrhythmias and extrasystoles develop during drug and drug intoxication. In patients in severe and critical condition, bradycardia and slow heartbeat may develop.
• Changes in blood pressure levels. With some intoxications it can increase, for example, with alcohol poisoning. In case of severe dehydration, hypotension and decreased blood pressure develop.
• Disruption of the central nervous system. When intoxicated with poisons, drugs or certain medications, the nervous system suffers from gases . Its damage can manifest itself as convulsions, hallucinations, impaired coordination of movements, speech, and the patient falling into a coma.

Please note that different intoxications can lead to different complications. Under the influence of toxic substances, the kidneys, liver, lungs, and pancreas can be affected. Such pathologies require immediate medical intervention.

Urgent measures

Removal of alcohol intoxication in acute poisoning begins with gastric lavage. Then, to quickly remove the toxic breakdown products of ethanol, infusion therapy with special medications is carried out. For example, with nicotinic acid, glucose, vitamins C, B6 and B1.

A dropper for alcohol intoxication at home with a solution of metadoxyl reduces the severity of poisoning and accelerates the neutralization of poisons.

Ethyl alcohol is quickly absorbed by the stomach, and this is its insidiousness! How to relieve alcohol intoxication? Which drug should I choose for quick and effective ethanol removal? Toxicologists claim that Enterosgel is an effective drug for this type of poisoning, although they recommend contacting a specialist.

Enterosgel binds ethanol and acetaldehyde in the intestines, reduces the concentration of toxins in the blood, protects the liver, and helps restore the functioning of the central nervous system.

The drug is easy to use, harmless, well tolerated by children and adults, and has no side effects.

Today, Enterosgel is the most successful option for combating cancer and tuberculosis intoxication, food poisoning, ethyl alcohol poisoning and other chemical compounds.

Chronic intoxication of the body - the symptoms of this condition have very little in common with general ideas about intoxication and can manifest themselves with completely atypical symptoms. You don't have to look far for an example - people living in big cities are exposed to toxic substances from polluted air every day, but in small quantities. However, due to the characteristics of our body, they do not cause significant harm.

This article will discuss the types and causes of chronic intoxication, the characteristics of their manifestations and the diagnostic methods used.

What to do if exogenous intoxication develops

Treatment of any exogenous intoxication should be carried out by a qualified doctor. Only he, after examining the patient, will be able to make a diagnosis, determine the severity of the condition, identify complications and prescribe individual and correct treatment.

When the first signs of intoxication or poisoning appear, you should consult a doctor. It is best to call an ambulance. Before the doctors arrive, you need to begin to provide first aid to the victim yourself. Its volume depends primarily on the route of entry of the toxin into the body.

Respiratory intoxication

In case of poisoning by toxic and poisonous gases, you must immediately remove the person to fresh and unpolluted air . When helping a victim, you should first worry about your safety. When entering a smoky room, put on a gas mask or respirator.

As soon as the person is safe, unbutton his tie and shirt. Nothing should interfere with free breathing. You can wash it with water and let it rinse your mouth. Then give the patient water or sweet tea and ensure him peace.

Oral intoxication

If a toxin enters the body through the digestive system, you should immediately try to remove it from the stomach. To do this, the poisoned person should drink several glasses of plain water in one gulp and provoke vomiting .

Remember that gastric lavage is strictly prohibited in case of poisoning with alkalis or acids, when dark-colored vomit appears, or in case of impaired consciousness of the patient.

Then you should give him the sorbent to drink. This can be activated carbon, polysorb, enterosgel, etc. The rules for their dosage are indicated in the instructions.

If the patient has stopped vomiting, you can give him plain water to drink.

Contact of chemicals or poisons with the skin or mucous membranes

If toxins get on the skin or mucous membranes, you should immediately rinse the affected area of ​​skin with running water for 15-20 minutes .

What to do if the patient loses consciousness

Severe exogenous intoxication can lead to loss of consciousness.
In such a situation, you should not panic, but help the patient as much as possible. Place him on a flat surface, turn his head to the side. Constantly check for a pulse and breathing . Their stop indicates clinical death and the need for immediate chest compressions.

How to relieve alcohol intoxication?

Unfortunately, the morning after a festive “alcoholic evening” is not always good. My head is pounding, my mouth feels like the Sahara Desert, my heart is pounding somewhere in my throat, it’s cloudy and stormy, a cat is loudly stomping around the apartment - a nightmare, in a word!

Mild alcohol intoxication, or, more simply, a hangover, is usually treated at home.

What needs to be done: get enough sleep, take Enterosgel sorbent on an empty stomach, be sure to have breakfast and drink clean water throughout the day.

A drip for alcohol intoxication at home can be prescribed if you need to immediately “get back on track.”

Treatment of intoxication

The ambulance team that arrives to the call will examine and interview the patient and provide him with the necessary first aid. Hospitalization is carried out on an emergency basis to the nearest emergency hospital .

If the patient’s condition is satisfactory, he is left to be treated at home, and a local doctor is called, who determines the required amount of therapy.

In case of food poisoning, treatment is carried out in the infectious diseases department, in case of poisoning with poisons, drugs, drugs and chemicals - in toxicology. All patients in serious or critical condition are placed in the intensive care unit (resuscitation).

In parallel with treatment, laboratory and instrumental examination of the patient is carried out. All further therapy is prescribed based on the diagnostic data obtained.

Remember that the sooner you seek medical help, the more opportunities doctors have to help a poisoned person.

Exogenous intoxication can occur for many reasons. Toxins can enter the body through the lungs, digestive system, skin and mucous membranes . When the first clinical signs of the disease develop, you should consult a doctor for help. Treatment is carried out in a hospital setting. If the patient's condition is stable, he may be prescribed treatment at home.

Intoxication of the body when working in hazardous industries

Why did the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland lose his mind? Perhaps it's all in the bag! Or rather, in the processing technology of the felt from which they are made. It turns out that in the 19th century mercury was used to process this material. Chronic intoxication of the body with mercury vapor causes progressive dementia. In England there was even a saying: “mad as a hatter.”

Occupational chronic intoxication these days, unfortunately, is also not uncommon. People who work for a long time in production associated with chemicals gradually accumulate toxic compounds in their bodies. For example, liver intoxication is not so uncommon in chronic lead poisoning.

Symptoms of intoxication in occupational benzene poisoning are associated with toxic effects on hematopoietic organs and blood cells.

Signs of occupational poisoning depend on the toxic substance entering the body.

Common signs of chemical poisoning:

• severe weakness;
• clouding of consciousness;
• dyspnea;
• changes in skin color;
• nausea and vomiting;
• in acute poisoning - loss of consciousness.

Detoxication in such cases is carried out in intensive care units or intensive care units.

Timely intake of Enterosgel sorbent at the first symptoms of intoxication will save you from the dangerous complications of poisoning or reduce its manifestations.

Types of intoxication

General intoxication is caused by disruption of the normal functioning of the human biological system by toxins that can come from outside or accumulate directly in the body.

Methods that allow toxins to enter the body determine the type of intoxication:

• food;
• cancerous;
• tuberculosis;
• medicinal;
• infectious;
• gas;
• professional.

Intoxication with pesticides, acids, alkalis, and alcohol intoxication are distinguished.

Each type exists in three forms:

1. Spicy. A large number of harmful substances enter the body.
2. Subacute. Signs of poisoning recede, but the body needs to be cleansed.
3. Chronic. Symptoms of poisoning recur constantly.

Type of poisoning

An acute form of illness develops with the consumption of alcohol, drugs, and other harmful substances and products. The reasons are different, as are the provoking factors. At the same time, the pathology develops rapidly, the composition of the blood changes. Today, medicine distinguishes between sources of poisoning in the body. This means that subsequent treatment is also different.

Food

This type of poisoning is considered extremely common. Consumption of low-quality food leads to the ingestion of toxic compounds formed in food. Any product is dangerous. And it doesn’t matter how they were stored, where they were, or how well the temperature was maintained. Once the expiration date has passed, such foods should be taken with caution. Spoiled food creates an ideal environment for the proliferation of pathogenic flora.

The most dangerous are considered dishes prepared from livestock meat: beef, pork. Dairy products, fish, and mushrooms threaten health. As a rule, E. coli and its varieties actively develop in an expired product, causing salmonellosis and dysentery. It is these diseases of infectious origin that become provocateurs of organic intoxication, pathologies that pose a danger to humans.

Escherichia coli under a microscope

Alcoholic liver pathology

Often adults suffer from poisoning after excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages or the alcohol-containing product turned out to be of poor quality. What happens in the body when alcohol gets ingested? First of all, ethanol tends to accumulate and be easily absorbed into the bloodstream. As a result, the toxic substance spreads throughout the internal organs, especially the brain and liver. Not only a person’s consciousness is negatively affected, but also the functioning of vital organs becomes unstable, which leads to a disruption in the general condition of the body.

In medicine, there is a conventional division of alcohol poisoning into three stages:

• Stage 1 – easy. The person is in high spirits, and the condition manifests itself through external signs such as sweating, dilated pupils, and increased urine flow.
• Stage 2 – middle. The patient notes that objects appear double before his eyes, movement is impaired, it is difficult to navigate in space, and control over the limbs is partially lost. The man speaks unintelligibly.
• Stage 3 – severe. Here there are signs of a complex disorder in the functioning of internal organs. It is difficult for the poisoned person to breathe, pathology of the pancreas occurs, the cardiovascular system fails, arrhythmia is recorded, and complete cardiac arrest is possible. Often at the last stage, alcoholic coma occurs, causing disability or death.

The clinical picture of poisoning looks like this:

• A headache appears. When alcohol enters the body, a sharp dilation of blood vessels occurs, which can cause an unpleasant condition, increasing pressure in the head.

• Nausea, vomiting. The phenomenon occurs when the body tries to remove ethanol. Alcohol penetrates the bloodstream and enters the brain, where it begins to negatively affect the cerebellum. This department is responsible for the level position of a person in space. When the functioning of an organ is disrupted, it becomes more difficult to maintain balance, which is why drunk people demonstrate an uneven gait and cannot get up after a fall. Signals are sent from the brain to immediately remove the toxic substance from the body, resulting in nausea and vomiting.
• Feeling dizzy due to improper functioning of the cerebellum under the influence of ethanol.
• The patient is constantly thirsty. This condition appears after the first sips of alcohol-containing drinks. Under the influence of alcohol breakdown products inside, the content of antidiuretic hormone, which regulates the outflow of urine, decreases.

It is worth noting that the negative impact begins after the first glasses or glasses of alcohol. If the drink you drink is of poor quality, the body’s reaction occurs immediately. Alcohol has a similar effect on younger patients: children, teenagers.

The organ responsible for cleansing the blood of foreign compounds is the liver; it is the first to take the hit of alcohol-containing products, allowing the blood to flow through. Toxins and ethanol breakdown products settle in the organ, which leads to dysfunction. If the intake of poison is insignificant, the liver copes with the poisoning on its own and recovers internally. When large doses of alcohol regularly enter the body, the liver malfunctions and the gland needs help.

Intoxication due to cancer

The oncological process spreads inside the body, the cancerous tumor kills new cells that decay, and the decay products disperse to other organs. Also, treatment methods against cancer often become a provoking factor in intoxication. The fight kills not only the harmful and dangerous virus. The body's defense system weakens and opens the way for microbes that attack the human body every second.

Cancer tumor under a microscope

The main external signs of present intoxication, its endogenous type:

• Weakness in the body;
• Fast fatiguability;
• The skin is pale;
• Feeling of thirst and dry mouth. The mucous membrane of the eyes is damaged, a burning sensation from dryness is constantly felt;
• There is no appetite, body weight is rapidly lost;
• Increased sweating;
• The temperature is not controlled and is constantly rising;
• Pain syndrome can occur in bones and joints;
• Difficulty falling asleep or frequent interruptions in sleep;
• Often the negative impact affects the nervous system, causing disorders;
• The content of red cells in the blood decreases, which leads to anemia;
• The body's defenses are not working.

The malignant neoplasm grows rapidly. Blood vessels grow more slowly and cannot provide oxygen and nutrients to the tumor. Despite the fact that cancer cells are able to function normally in the absence of blood, they still die, causing poisoning of the body. As a rule, a similar phenomenon is observed with a large size of the cancer tumor.

Tuberculosis poisoning

This intoxication manifests itself in the first stages of infection with pathogenic microorganisms that cause tuberculosis. At the same time, there are no clearly defined foci of development of inflammatory processes. As a rule, such phenomena most often develop in childhood, when the immune system is not strong enough and cannot actively resist illnesses.

The main signs confirming the penetration of infection into the body:

• Rapid patient fatigue;
• Increased sweating;
• Visual examination confirms enlarged lymph nodes;
• During the day, body temperature varies between 37.1-38.0. Moreover, this condition lasts for a long time - from 14 days to 2-3 months.

• The child’s physical development is inhibited.
• Body weight decreases sharply.

To make a diagnosis, a test for tuberculosis is done. Changes are observed in the blood passing away from the hematopoietic organs. Therapy is carried out using chemicals aimed at combating tuberculosis infection.

Infection and the manifestation of signs of intoxication occur in children who are faced with a similar illness for the first time. The factor that provokes infection is the presence of a patient with an open form of tuberculosis. Sneezing, coughing or talking releases thousands of disease germs into the air. Most often, infection occurs through airborne droplets. Infection through household appliances as a result of manipulation of the placenta is much less common.

Being in the lungs, pathogenic microorganisms do not create foci of inflammation, but their active activity begins in the lymph nodes. As a result, the organs become inflamed, and the virus continues to travel along with the lymph through the internal systems, provoking the development of symptoms of poisoning. MBT settle in different organs, causing changes, small tubercles appear, called tuberculous granulomas. This is how the immune system tries to fight the disease.

Heavy metals

Today, the use of metals considered heavy is widespread. They can be found in industrial products and medical products. Even in everyday life there are many items containing salts of heavy metals.

If substances are used for other purposes, this leads to their accumulation in the body and negative consequences. The operation of internal systems is disrupted and goes astray from the correct mode.

Metals that can cause an exogenous type of dysfunction of internal organs:

• Zinc;
• Mercury;
• Copper;
• Lead;
• Nickel;
• Antimony.

Don't forget about arsenic - half a metal, but extremely dangerous for children and adults.

Often the first signs of poisoning appear after contact with the substance or after prolonged use of the product. A chronic type of intoxication occurs in people constantly associated with these salts. Heavy metals are also found in car exhaust smoke and in pest control products used in the garden. Substances for repelling or destroying small rodents in a house, apartment, or industrial premises. Cigarette smoke contains salts of heavy metals, so when inhaled, the poison penetrates inside and causes irreparable damage to the body.

For medical purposes, heavy metals are used to prepare ointments. Medicines help patients cope with purulent lesions on the skin. Use for other purposes or non-compliance with the instructions for use leads to severe poisoning.

Chronic intoxication with heavy metal salts leads to irreversible reactions in the body. Damage extends to internal systems. The central nervous system is the first to suffer. Therefore, it is important to start treatment on time and eliminate the toxin that causes the bad effects.

On the part of the brain, damage affects the state of memory, periodic convulsive phenomena, and mental disorders. The child's body is susceptible to poisoning, which leads to impaired mental development.

Symptoms of toxic hepatitis appear due to liver damage from toxic substances. The organ increases in size and functionality is impaired. The skin turns yellow, the pain in the right side under the ribs intensifies.

Liver pathology develops against the background of complications after the accumulation of heavy metals in the body. The kidneys are unable to cleanse the blood, urine production becomes excessive or stops.

The number of red cells in the blood sharply decreases, which leads to anemia. This is especially pronounced after hemolysis. Under the influence of toxic substances, red blood cells disintegrate.

Drug poisoning

Pharmacy medications should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. The dosage is selected according to the instructions for use. Despite numerous warnings, people continue to take medications at their own discretion. There is also the deliberate taking of large doses of drugs for suicidal purposes.

The clinical picture of poisoning depends on what medication was ingested. Different classes of drugs have individual symptoms:

• Overdose of an analgesic drug. Aspirin makes headaches worse. Nausea and vomiting occur in the stomach. Often the negative impact extends to the intestines, resulting in frequent urge and defecation of liquid feces. Depending on the number of tablets eaten, shortness of breath may occur, the heart rate may increase, and blood pressure may drop sharply.
• Medicines prescribed for heart patients. Exceeding the permissible consumption of heart medications leads to diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Pain occurs in the abdomen and head. Since the action of the drugs is aimed at normalizing the heart rhythm, an increased number of tablets can lower the pulse and reduce organ contractions so much that cardiac arrest and death are recorded. For older people, drug intoxication threatens delirium and impaired brain activity.
• Sulfonamides also pose a danger if the permissible consumption volumes are exceeded, for example, the drugs Norsulfazol and Sulfadimezin. As a result, patients develop renal colic and acute pain in the abdominal area on the right. A person cannot go to the toilet due to lack of urine. As with toxic poisoning, nausea, vomiting appears in the stomach, and an allergic reaction to the medication occurs.

Toxic drug poisoning can vary in symptoms. However, a common symptom is present in all types of intoxication: the skin becomes pale, with isolated areas of redness, and irritation is observed. Toxins and poisonous substances affect the functioning of the brain, which affects the behavior and condition of the patient.

Pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant, she becomes responsible not only for her own health, but also for the unborn baby. For the proper development of the fetus, a sufficient amount of nutrients must enter the mother’s body. Compliance with the diet, quality of food, healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits - all this is important for the expectant mother.

When the baby is developing inside, taking most medications is prohibited. However, an unpleasant moment during pregnancy is inevitable - the occurrence of toxicosis, which is exhausting and worrying constantly. You should visit your doctor to resolve the issue. Folic acid is considered a popular and effective medicine that reduces the manifestation of an unpleasant symptom. The drug copes well with heartburn and eliminates nausea. Doctors recommend taking acid during the 9 months of expecting a child.

A natural remedy that reduces negative symptoms is tea with chamomile, rose hips and mint.

Remember, complete elimination of nausea and vomiting is impossible, however, a gradual reduction in symptoms is likely to have a positive effect on the health of the woman and the unborn child.

Food poisoning

They develop when consuming food contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms and toxic products of their vital activity. The general classification of food poisoning also includes cases caused by non-microbial compounds ingested with food.

All types of food poisoning (POI) are considered acute or chronic diseases. They are manifested by general intoxication, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine - gastroenteritis.

Microbial food poisoning

Toxic infections, or food infections. They arise as a result of the activity of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, staphylococci, and other pathogenic and opportunistic bacterial microorganisms.

Toxicoses are pathological conditions caused by exposure to toxins produced by bacteria and microscopic fungi. In turn, they are divided into mycotoxicoses and bacteriotoxicoses.

Non-microbial groups of food poisoning

PO caused by consumption of foods that are poisonous in nature. Examples are poisonous mushrooms, plants, shellfish.

Software caused by consumption of potentially toxic products. In this case, poisoning occurs only in the presence of provoking factors - high doses of toxic substances, violation of the rules of storage, preparation and prevention. Examples are sprouted potatoes, raw beans, apricot kernels.

Poisoning with chemical mixtures - pesticides, nitrates, salts of heavy metals contained in food products.

Jukes' disease is a rare disease associated with eating toxic fish. There is still no exact version of the origin of this pathology. Some fish species can become toxic and cause abnormal muscle protein breakdown. According to the most common versions, this is due to a disruption in the diet of some fish species and deterioration of the environmental situation in their habitat.

The characteristics of all food intoxications are sudden onset and short course. With regular consumption of contaminated products, they can become chronic.

By type of toxic agent

This classification divides all poisonings according to the type of toxic substance. The most common groups include:

Carbon monoxide and lamp monoxide intoxication. Occurs in fires, in garages with malfunctioning ventilation, in factories, and also when smoking a hookah. Characteristic signs of intoxication are headache, asthma attacks, and at high concentrations - paralysis, loss of consciousness and death. If the gas content in the air exceeds 1.2%, death occurs within 3 minutes.

Intoxication with pesticides. Occurs due to careless handling of pesticides, nitrates, fungicides, and means for killing rodents and insect pests. They are manifested by headache, increased body temperature, as well as signs of toxic damage to the liver and kidneys.

Intoxication with acids and alkalis. They cause protein denaturation, chemical burns and subsequent tissue necrosis. The effect of the poison is most noticeable at the site of its penetration. Such cases are characterized by burns of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, digestive tract, and swelling of the larynx.

Drug intoxication. They arise due to a one-time or regular excess of the recommended dosage of the drug, self-medication or childhood curiosity. They can have acute and chronic forms.

Alcohol intoxication. It develops with a single consumption of high doses of alcohol, as well as in people suffering from chronic alcoholism. Ethyl alcohol affects the ability to concentrate and reaction speed; in high doses leads to toxic liver damage.

Food poisoning, which has many subtypes, is classified into a separate group.

Etiology of the disease

There are a huge number of reasons that cause the process of intoxication. For pathology there is no division into age group or gender. Absolutely any person, even an infant, is susceptible to this negative influence. There are quite a few varieties of the pathological process. Some types of intoxication lead to serious consequences, in some cases even to coma. Tuberculosis and cancer intoxications are considered the most common.

To protect yourself from danger and detect the disease in time, you need to study all the factors that can cause intoxication. The internal group of factors includes:

• Oncological neoplasms.
• Tuberculosis.
• Diabetes.
• Metabolic disease.
• Infectious processes in the body.
• Immune system dysfunction.
• Hormonal surge during pregnancy or after removal of the thyroid gland.
• Toxic burns, which subsequently lead to blood poisoning, against which the pathology begins to progress.
• Abnormal functioning of some internal organs, as a result of which they produce toxic substances that attack the body.

There are also external factors that cause poisoning of the body:

• Contact with toxic plants.
• Bite of a poisonous animal or insect.
• Eating stale food.
• Bad habits - abuse of drugs, nicotine or alcohol.
• Environmental factors - various chemical compounds, elements or high air pollution.

Most often, external toxins do not harm health. As a rule, only a large concentration of toxins can negatively affect it, and substances can accumulate over several years.

According to the method of penetration of the poison

This classification considers cases of intoxication depending on how the poison entered the body. She identifies 4 types of intoxication:

Oral – most household intoxications. The poison enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract. Most often, with this method of penetration, the toxic effect causes digestive upset and injury to the mucous membranes of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. As the poison is absorbed into the blood, symptoms of general intoxication appear.

Cavity poisonings are rare. These include cases of toxin penetration through the ear canal, rectum, and vagina.

Percutaneous or cutaneous intoxication - when poison enters the blood through the skin. Occur due to chemical burns and careless handling of aggressive solutions.

Parenteral poisoning develops from insect and animal bites, as well as from intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous injection.

Inhalation poisonings are usually caused by safety violations when exposed to volatile chemicals. They develop when inhaling gases or toxic fumes.

Symptoms

Clinical signs of intoxication syndrome depend on the stage of the pathological process. Any disease with intoxication is manifested by fever, chills, weakness, cephalgia, myalgia and arthralgia, body aches, loss of appetite, dyspepsia, dizziness, thirst.

As intoxication increases, the symptoms of the disease become more diverse. The functioning of almost all organs and systems is disrupted - respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous. Multiple dysfunctions that occur with severe intoxication syndrome are accompanied by characteristic symptoms:

1. Edema and swelling of the brain is manifested first by mild euphoria or a feeling of depression, depression, and then by confusion, fainting, convulsions, and the development of a coma.
2. On the part of the respiratory system, tachypnea without shortness of breath, hard breathing, wheezing, and crepitus are noted. Pneumonitis gradually turns into severe pulmonary dysfunction with the development of respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.
3. The myocardium thickens, but the work of the heart muscle remains for a long time. Carditis develops, manifested by rapid heartbeat, heart murmur, and decreased blood pressure. In severe cases, granular dystrophy of the myocardium is formed.
4. Signs of liver dysfunction: hepatomegaly, pain on palpation, increase in biochemical functional tests. As the pathological process progresses, hepatic-renal failure develops.
5. The hemogram shows leukocytosis, neutrophilia, increased ESR.

In children, intoxication syndrome is characterized by a very severe course and acute onset of clinical manifestations. Newborns and children of the first years of life suffer especially from intoxication. This is due to the imperfection of the immune system, which is not yet able to fully perform its protective functions. The danger of the syndrome for febrile babies is associated with the rapid development of febrile convulsions, which, in the absence of medical care, can lead to the death of the patient. Premature babies and those born with immunodeficiency are at risk for any disease.

Parents note that sick children show signs of physical and mental dysfunction. This is manifested by general lethargy, frequent whims and crying, refusal to eat and sleep disturbances. Older children complain of general weakness during fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea with pain and abdominal cramps. As the causative disease progresses and intoxication increases, their facial expressions disappear, tachycardia occurs, and blood pressure decreases.

With a long course of pathology and lack of medical care, young patients become irritable, become depressed, forget what is happening, and cannot concentrate. They experience dizziness, cephalalgia, and possible loss of consciousness. Chronic intoxication syndrome is manifested by problems with the gastrointestinal tract, poor condition of the skin, nails and hair, and an unpleasant odor from the child. Chronic intoxication is very dangerous for children's health. Long-term exposure to poisons leads to irreparable consequences and permanent damage to internal organs. If the child is small, it is very difficult to determine the cause of poor health. Kids cannot understand what is happening to him and accurately describe their feelings.