Exogenous intoxication: features, symptoms and treatment

Intoxication is a pathological condition caused by exposure to toxins of various origins. In this case, there is a violation of the vital functions of the body, deterioration of well-being, damage to many organs and systems, and sometimes a fatal outcome. 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 effect on human health. In this article, we will consider how to recognize the onset of intoxication, the causes of its development and possible treatment options.

Classification of Poisoning

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

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

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

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

• Subacute intoxication. Occurs with repeated exposure to a toxin in humans. There is a violation of the functionality of the body.
• Acute exogenous intoxication. It is caused by short-term contact of a person with a toxic substance. Symptoms are more pronounced than in the previous form.
• Super sharp. The most dangerous form of poisoning. It occurs when a large amount of toxic substances is ingested. It can lead to serious damage to the central nervous system, and sometimes to death in a very short time.
• Chronic exogenous intoxication. Appears with prolonged contact with toxic substances. It happens that a person does not even imagine this, thereby missing time for treatment. Symptoms are expressed rather weakly, clinical manifestations are erased.

Poisonous routes

Since exogenous intoxication involves exposure to toxic substances from the outside, we can identify the main routes of their entry into the human body.

• Respiratory system. Vapors of harmful substances are inhaled.
• Digestive organs - with poor nutrition.
• When exposed to the skin. For example, with insect bites, snakes.

Features of poisoning

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

It depends on which particular toxin affects the body, how long it lasts and what the response of the human immune system will be. In the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 10), exogenous intoxication is under the code T36-T78.

Possible reasons

The main causes of symptoms of exogenous intoxication are exposure to toxic substances. Consider the most common of them.

• Smoky air.
• Poor or spoiled products.
• Narcotic substances.
• Alcohol
• Some medications. In this case, exogenous intoxication according to ICD 10 will be under the code T36-T50.
• Poor working conditions (for example, in hazardous industries).
• Poisons of animals.
• 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 not associated with the substances themselves, but with the products of their processing in the body.

Symptoms

Signs of exogenous intoxication are numerous and depend on many factors. Consider the main ones:

• The way the toxin enters the body.
• The frequency of its impact.
• The concentration of toxic substances.
• Of great importance in exogenous and endogenous intoxications is the determination of the properties of the toxin.
• The body's response to a toxic product.

Symptoms include the following conditions:

• Headache.
• A sharp increase in body temperature to high values. But with certain drugs, the temperature can drop significantly.
• Body aches.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Chills.
• Allergic reactions.
• Bad breath.
• Heartburn.
• Flatulence and impaired stool.
• Heart rhythm disturbance.
• 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, impaired speech and motor activity, confusion and fainting.

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

Signs of chronic exogenous intoxication will be slightly different from the above. These include:

• Frequent headaches.
• Depression
• Sleep disturbances.
• Heartburn, stool disorders.
• Nervousness.
• Body weight changes.
• Fatigue.

Diagnostics

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

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

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 and rinse your eyes. The procedure should be performed carefully so as not to cause damage.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Induce vomiting.
• It is necessary to apply cold 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 the ambulance).

Treatment

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

• Removal of poison that did not have time to absorb.
• Removing poison that has already entered the body. For this, serums and antidotes are used.
• Carrying out all the necessary procedures to relieve intoxication.
• Elimination of consequences.

Detoxification methods include:

• Drink plenty.
• Gastric lavage. In a hospital, a probe is inserted through the esophagus. With first aid, drinking plenty of fluids and inducing vomiting is recommended. Then you need to take sorbents.
• Reception of adsorbents.
• Reception of enzymes.
• Antioxidants.
• Oxygen therapy (treatment with oxygen).
• Blood transfusion. It is required for poisoning with alcohols or vinegar.
• Hemosorption.

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

Diet in the elimination of symptoms of intoxication plays a big role, because the body needs to restore lost nutrients and energy. At the same time, nutrition should be high-calorie, but at the same time easy to digest and not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa.

The need for resuscitation

Sometimes there are cases when resuscitation therapy is necessary. These include an acute 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 case.

• Hypothermia. It can occur in the case of nitrate poisoning, in which a spasm of the vessels occurs and, as a result, a decrease in body temperature.
• Damage to the respiratory system. Inhibition of the respiratory center is possible; tongue retraction may be observed. Point therapy is needed.
• Hyperthermia. Body temperature can reach 41 degrees.
• Disruption of the digestive system. In this case, bleeding from the digestive tract can occur and a long loose stool appears. Such conditions can lead to dangerous consequences. First aid needed.
• The occurrence of seizures leading to respiratory failure and brain hypoxia.
• The development of liver and kidney failure, which can cause hepatitis and jaundice.

If before arrival the ambulance patient faints, it is necessary to lay him on a flat surface and turn his head to the side. Remove excess clothing and allow access to fresh air. Constantly check your breathing and heart rate. If they stop, it is necessary to conduct an indirect heart massage before the arrival of an ambulance.

Possible consequences

Strong intoxication can affect many organs and systems of the body. The most common complications of exposure to toxins include:

• Dehydration.
• Acute pancreatitis.
• Renal and liver failure.
• Pneumonia.
• GI bleeding.
• Shock.
• Pulmonary edema.
• Mental disorders.
• Tissue damage.
• Violation of the water-electrolyte balance.
• The defeat of the brain.
• Coma development and death.

Prevention

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

• The use of only quality water and products.
• Before taking medicines, 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 to the forest you must wear protective equipment.
• When working with toxic substances, safety rules must be observed.

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

Conclusion

Exogenous intoxication can lead to dangerous and sometimes irreparable consequences. If toxic substances enter the body, first aid should be provided as soon as possible. If the poison was removed from the body as soon as possible, dangerous consequences can be avoided. In the absence of treatment or its untimelyness, serious consequences are unlikely to be avoided.

Subject to preventive measures and a healthy lifestyle, the likelihood of poisoning is minimized. If intoxication of the body could not be avoided, one does not need to self-medicate.