The unchanging trace element for humans is iron. It is necessary for the full work of all organs and systems of the body, however, with an excess of a chemical substance, serious consequences are possible, sometimes leading to death. An overdose of iron occurs with an accidental or intentional single use of an element from 5 to 30 g. It is also extremely dangerous to systematically exceed the dosage.
Need for iron
The constituent of hemoglobin is precisely iron. The component promotes erythropoiesis, and also participates in the transport of oxygen to tissues. Hemoglobin is involved in the regulation of the nervous and muscle systems, and it also contributes to the production of necessary energy.
The optimal rate for each individual patient is calculated individually. The main criteria are:
- floor;
- weight;
- age;
- general health of the patient.
So, for children up to a year, 3-4 mg of iron should be prescribed per day. Children older than one year and up to 10-15 years old need more element - about 15 mg.
The need of adult patients for this chemical element varies significantly depending on gender and, accordingly, with a different amount of incoming substance, an overdose of iron is possible. Symptoms in women can occur only with a large intake of this element. Due to physiological characteristics, they lose a lot of blood during the menstrual cycle. A woman needs a minimum of 18 mg of iron per day, while a man needs 10 mg.
Especially important is the intake of the element during pregnancy and lactation, when its natural loss occurs.
Features of the absorption of iron in women
In female patients, a clear deficiency of this element is often detected. It is known that it is extremely difficult to obtain the necessary dose of a substance with food. The medical risk group includes teenage girls, as well as donors. Therefore, they are prescribed additional iron supplements. It is also important to maintain a proper diet and consume:
- beef liver;
- rabbit meat;
- chicken eggs;
- blueberries;
- fish
- peas;
- peaches;
- buckwheat groats.
In tablet form, the drug is prescribed when the iron is not enough, which is confirmed by laboratory clinical tests. However, only a doctor can make such a decision, because an overdose of iron is extremely dangerous for human health. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and recommendations of the doctor.
Overdose of iron in the body: symptoms
If the patient has acute intoxication upon receipt of a large amount of a chemical element, he may complain of the following symptoms:
- nausea
- vomiting and poor appetite;
- severe dizziness and headache;
- increased bleeding;
- weakness turning into a loss of consciousness;
- sharp pains in the abdomen;
- loose stools with impurities of blood;
- staining of teeth and skin integument in brown;
- pressure reduction.
Among children, iron poisoning is also often diagnosed. Therefore, it is important to keep all medications out of reach. It is known that the use by a child of ten tablets on the basis of this element at one time can lead to death.
Causes of overdose
An overdose of iron can be triggered by the following factors:
- oxygen starvation;
- accidental or intentional excess of the recommended intake of iron-containing drugs;
- hereditary pathology - hemochromatosis, when an element is deposited in tissues and organs;
- chronic alcoholism.
Ethanol enhances the absorption of iron in the blood. In rare cases, an overdose of iron can occur against a background of liver disease. Also, intoxication is sometimes possible when substances enter the environment or regular use of water with a high content of iron oxide. In this case, it is necessary to use specialized filters.
Overdose Signs
When an overdose of iron occurs, the signs of intoxication can be different and depend on the type of poisoning:
- Acute intoxication. Occurs as a result of a single dose of the drug in large quantities.
- Chronic poisoning It occurs as a result of the systematic and prolonged use of iron-containing drugs in the maximum amount exceeding the allowable dosage.
In this case, when an overdose of iron preparations occurs, the symptoms go through several stages:
- At first, severe pain in the abdomen disturbs, nausea appears, turning into vomiting.
- Then comes imaginary relief. The patient feels that the signs of poisoning have passed, but further damage to the cells is in full swing.
- The third stage is characterized by a shock period. The central nervous system is affected, the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, bleeding intensifies.
- After this, the development of acute liver failure is possible, as a result of which the patient may fall into a coma.
First aid
If an overdose of iron preparations is diagnosed, then the patient urgently needs first aid. There is a special antidote - deferoxamine. The substance is able to completely neutralize the incoming element into the body, in addition, doctors are often used to alleviate the patient's condition tetracycline-calcium.
In any case, with a shock state during an overdose of iron in the body, it is necessary to call an ambulance and hospitalize a person. At home, you can give a person with severe intoxication before the doctors arrive a one percent solution of baking soda. To do this, a spoonful of powder is dissolved in 100 ml of water.
Methods for removing a trace element from the body
If acute intoxication has occurred, and it is known that the iron-based drug was taken several hours ago, it will help to remove the remaining iron by gastric lavage and artificially induced vomiting. The use of ipecac syrup is allowed. The drug acts on the vomiting center, exciting it. Further, you can offer a person a glass of milk or one percent bicarbonate in an amount of 100 ml.
In any case, an ambulance call or an independent call to a doctor is necessary. In a hospital, a radiography of the stomach is mandatory. In the picture, the substance is clearly visualized because it does not transmit x-rays.
The consequences of excess iron intake
It is extremely dangerous to take a large amount of this chemical element. It is proved that the substance is deposited in the heart, liver and seriously disrupts the functioning of other organs. If you do not notice the problem and stop it in time, then the following problems are possible:
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- brain disease;
- pathology of the heart;
- the formation of cancerous tumors.
In no case should you use iron-based preparations without an appropriate doctor's prescription.
Overdose during pregnancy
Often during pregnancy, women are deficient in iron. Therefore, gynecologists prescribe supplements based on this element. As a result, these patients have an increased risk of poisoning.
In any case, an excess of iron is dangerous. At risk is not only the mother, but also the developing fetus. After birth, a child whose mother consumed excessive amounts of iron often has diseases of the nervous system and complications of the heart and blood diseases.
How to prevent overdose
The main cases of poisoning with iron compounds are associated with the abnormal use of drugs based on them. Moreover, adult patients may intentionally or unintentionally exceed the constantly daily dosage, or use an increased amount of the drug once. To avoid problems, you need to be careful about your own health and listen to the advice of a specialist.
However, an overdose of iron is often found in children or elderly patients. In this case, the situation is the most dangerous. Macro- and microelements containing iron may be shown to a newborn baby. As a result, parents can mistakenly offer a baby a medicine in excess. An elderly person is able to forget that he has recently taken pills, or not to discern the presence of iron in another composition used.
Therefore, it is so important to ensure proper control of all drugs that are offered to the baby, and to keep them in an inaccessible place. It is also necessary to closely monitor the elderly. It is better if the control over the use of drugs lies with a more responsible person or health worker. It is always recommended that you carefully study the instructions for any medication. The iron content is always important to consider when using it as part of complex vitamins.
The consequences of an excess of iron in the future
Sometimes insignificant excesses in the use of iron cause consequences already in a later period. Often arise:
The risk of stroke and heart attack increases, blood vessels are affected. Even after getting out of the shock state in the later stages, complications in the functioning of the kidneys and excretory system as a whole are possible. Sometimes an acute type of cirrhosis develops. If intoxication has affected the functioning of internal organs, then chronic diseases are possible.
The danger of self-medication
In pharmacies, medicines are available that can protect against various diseases. Sometimes people believe that their body lacks certain vitamins and minerals, so they begin to take on their own a complex of various substances, including hormones. An overdose of thyroid hormones more often occurs due to an excess of thyroxine. Therefore, it is forbidden to engage in hormonal correction therapy on your own. Otherwise, the development of anemia, the appearance of a headache, an upset gastrointestinal tract and a malfunction of the menstrual cycle are possible.