What is poisoning, what are the types?
Intoxication is a danger that we can encounter in our daily lives and can occur for various reasons. Toxins that can develop suddenly or build up over time can cause serious health problems in our bodies. Toxic substances can be chemicals, foods, medicines or plants that are found in the home, at work or in nature.
Symptoms of poisoning occur as a result of accidental or intentional consumption, inhalation or contact of these substances. Intoxication can affect bodily functions such as digestion, respiratory system, nervous system, circulatory system and kidneys. In this article, we learn more about poisoning and find out how to recognize the symptoms and how to take action.
What is Poisoning?
Poisoning is when a toxic substance or substances enter the body and negatively affect health. Poisoning can occur in several ways, including ingestion, inhalation, and contact.
The most common form of poisoning is food poisoning. However, in addition to food poisoning, animal bites can cause serious poisoning if the gases used in home or industry enter the body through the respiratory tract.
In short, poisoning; It can be transmitted through food containing bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins, and poisoning can also occur when various chemicals enter the body through both breathing and contact. For this reason, the symptoms that occur after poisoning vary depending on the cause of the poisoning.
As a result of some poisonings, it may be possible to remove the poison from the body by vomiting. However, in case of contamination of the skin and clothing with chemical toxic substances, the clothing should be removed immediately and the skin should be washed with plenty of water. If the patient’s breathing stops, artificial respiration should be applied and the patient should be taken to hospital immediately afterwards.
Remember that early intervention saves lives. Therefore, if you suspect poisoning, you should immediately consult a doctor and take the necessary precautions. Otherwise, depending on the degree of poisoning, the patient may be life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of poisoning?
Intoxication is a condition that occurs when a harmful substance or toxin is absorbed into the body. Poisoning can occur for many different reasons, such as chemicals, medicines, foods, or plants found in our homes, workplaces, or our environment. In case of poisoning, early diagnosis and treatment is very important. Symptoms of poisoning can vary depending on the toxin, its amount, and how it interacts in the body. However, there are some symptoms that are common in general:
Gastrointestinal problems
Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and cramps are common symptoms of poisoning. When a toxic substance is ingested, the digestive system can react quickly and these symptoms can occur.
Breathing problems
When poisoned, the respiratory system can be affected. The person may experience wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. Respiratory tract irritation and difficulty breathing can occur, especially due to inhalation of toxic gases or chemicals.
Skin changes
Changes in the skin such as redness, rash, burning or itching can be among the symptoms of poisoning. Since the skin is the primary point of contact with the toxic substance, skin reactions are common.
Problems with the nervous system
Poisoning can cause various symptoms by affecting the nervous system. These can include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, loss of coordination, muscle weakness or tremors. Some poisons can also directly affect the nervous system and cause seizures or unconsciousness.
Heart and circulatory problems
Intoxication can manifest with symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, palpitations. Toxins can disrupt the electrolyte balance in the body and have negative effects on the cardiovascular system.
Urinary and kidney problems
Some toxins can damage the kidneys and cause urination problems. Symptoms such as a decrease or increase in the amount of urine, changes in urine color, or bloody urine may be signs of poisoning.
What types of poisoning are there?
Types of poisoning are divided into 4 as food poisoning, gas poisoning, corrosive dust poisoning and drug poisoning. Let’s explore them together.
1. Food poisoning
The most common poisoning is undoubtedly food poisoning. Poisoning can occur in the case of consumption of food that is out of date and host to various bacteria. Foods such as undercooked meat, chicken and fish are among the most common causes of food poisoning.
You should absolutely stay away from consuming foods that are bare, stale, aged and discolored. In particular, check the best-before date before buying ready-to-eat foods and certainly do not buy products that are past their best-before date or 2-3 days before the expiration date.
Food poisoning, which causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, may show symptoms within 1 hour or 3 days later. Although it is seen as a natural treatment that can remove the poison in cases of vomiting and diarrhea, depending on the amount of food consumed, the patient may need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
The person who encounters the problem of food poisoning must consume soup, boiled potatoes, a lot of watery food and a lot of water, as well as vomiting and diarrhea. However, just in case, it is recommended that the person call their doctor and get the necessary information.
2. Gas poisoning
It is poisoning caused by gas, steam, smoke and combustible substances that cause respiratory irritation. Factors such as gas poisoning, tear gas, chlorine gas, and plastic fumes that make breathing difficult can cause respiratory irritation and lead to severe poisoning.
An idling car engine, coal stove, stoves, burst pipes in the ground floor of apartments and poorly installed gas boilers can cause poisoning from the gas they emit. Another situation that needs attention is poisoning from cleaning agents, which are very likely to be found in homes.
Particularly when cleaning with bleach, care should be taken not to put any soda in the toilet bowl beforehand. For this reason, we recommend that you take the necessary precautions at home and at your workplace, taking into account all factors that can cause gas poisoning. Gas poisoning is mainly manifested by headache and vomiting.
The severe fatigue that the person feels can prevent him from seeking help from those around him. For this reason, many people confuse gas poisoning with food poisoning. However, since gas poisoning can affect other people in the area, they can be seriously life-threatening. While recovery can be achieved in some cases, severe brain damage may occur to the person.
3. Poisoning by combustible substances
Poisoning from combustibles is usually seen when children show up due to a sense of curiosity. Corrosive substances stored in various containers and tubes occur when children drink it and think it is a beverage. Corrosive poisoning, which damages many areas from the mouth to the stomach, is quite serious.
Poisoning by a corrosive substance, which can cause many problems from perforation of the stomach to burning of the esophagus, manifests with symptoms such as a change in tone of voice, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, redness in the mouth, pain and burning in the mouth.
First of all, it is recommended to consult a doctor without wasting time on poisoning with corrosive substances. However, before doing so, you should carefully read the precautions that can be taken on the bottle or container containing the flammable substance and consult a doctor as soon as possible after taking the necessary precautions.
In case of consumption of the corrosive substance, it is recommended to wash the mouth and mouth area for about 10 minutes. However, you need to be careful not to swallow water during the washing process. Consuming any liquid other than water may cause increased irritation.
4. Drug intoxication
Drug poisoning is one of the most common poisonings. In cases such as unconscious drug use, drug use by children with a sense of curiosity, the desire not to live and excessive drug use, drug poisoning can occur.
Drugs that directly negatively affect the organs, in some cases, also cause negativities in the brain and central nervous system. In particular, the unconscious use of sleeping pills, painkillers and drugs with morphine properties can lead to drug poisoning.
It can cause respiratory, cardiovascular and circulatory disorders. In case of drug poisoning, it is important to see the patient urgently in the hospital given the seriousness of the situation. Otherwise, negative effects on the kidneys, liver and white blood cells can be observed.
What is Poisoning?
Intoxication is a condition that occurs when a harmful or toxic substance enters a person’s body. These substances can enter the body for various reasons, for example through eating, drinking, breathing or skin contact.
What are the symptoms of poisoning?
Symptoms of poisoning can vary depending on the substance exposed, the dose, and the person’s age, health, and other factors. However, common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, weakness, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, and unconsciousness.
Which substances can cause poisoning?
The substances that can cause poisoning are quite diverse. These can include medicines, household cleaners, pesticides, chemicals, herbicides and fungicides, alcohol and drugs.
What to do in case of poisoning?
The first thing to do in case of poisoning is to determine what type of substance was exposed and how much was ingested or contacted. Then, depending on the severity of the situation, it may be necessary to contact an emergency room or poison control center. In case of emergency, first aid measures can be taken to relieve the symptoms of poisoning. However, these measures should be considered a temporary solution until professional help is sought.
How can poisonings be prevented?
A few simple precautions can be taken to prevent poisoning. This includes keeping medicines, cleaning products and other toxic substances out of the reach of children, recognizing herbs and fungi and only eating and storing food properly if you are sure it is safe. It is also important to use the right personal protective equipment when working with chemicals.